Plans
Plans for SH 183, also known as Airport Freeway, call for the 10-lane highway system to be expanded to 18 lanes. The expansion will include eight main lanes, six frontage road lanes and four managed toll lanes.
In addition to easing congestion and traffic, the expansion of SH 183 will attract new businesses to the area and provide an economic boost to the city.
“Irving’s role in the project is to help deliver the best final product possible,” said Real Estate Services Manager Doug Janeway. “By working with TxDOT, Irving is ensuring that the needs and interests of residents and businesses are represented in the expansion process.”
Preparation
Hundreds of businesses, as well as the former Texas Stadium site, edge the highway. It is estimated that more than 340 parcels—residential and commercial—will be affected by the expansion. To date, TxDOT has acquired 65 percent of the parcels necessary to proceed with the freeway expansion. Acquisition of the necessary rights of way will cost TxDOT $278 million.
“The expansion of SH 183 involves several civic entities,” Janeway said. “For example, the Greater Irving Las-Colinas Chamber of Commerce has been doing a great job ensuring that affected businesses are aware of relocation options within the city.”
Already, the demolition of 30 buildings has taken place along SH 183, and eight others will be demolished this month. By the time preparations are completed, more than 70 buildings will have been demolished. In addition, a total of 162 relocations will have taken place involving 27 households and 135 commercial tenants. To date, 87 relocations—more than half—have already been completed. Included in that number are the 27 residential locations (two households, 25 multifamily units) as well as 60 businesses. The chamber has successfully assisted more than half of the businesses to relocate within the city.
Protection
The coming installation of the sound walls in the Nichols and Plymouth parks areas is an example of city leaders advocating for residents and businesses. City staff partnered with TxDOT to design the $7 million sound walls, which are funded by TXDOT to protect residents in adjacent neighborhoods from views of construction crews and the accompanying sounds of progress. The mustang design reflects the heritage of Irving.
