What you see above is the LBJ Express project's sneak preview of the lane closures about to hit LBJ Freeway this weekend, as the Joe Ratcliff Pedestrian Walkway meets its maker at 1 a.m. Sunday. (No, really. One in the morning.) But before that, beginning at 7 Saturday night, eastbound traffic shrinks down to one whole lane at Webb Chapel.
And, of course, this is but the beginning of major construction as we begin a five-year march toward those managed toll lanes: Between September 17 and October 14, they're going to begin demolishing the Montfort, Rosser and Marsh bridges, and they too will come with their own lane closures. The full warning follows.
MAJOR CONSTRUCTION REMINDER
Joe Ratcliff Pedestrian Bridge to be Demolished This Weekend
Ratcliff is First of Four Bridges Scheduled for Demolition Most Weekends in September/October
DALLAS - This weekend marks the first of several this fall when the LBJ Express project team will begin demolishing and rebuilding cross-street bridges along I-635. North Texas drivers are reminded that lanes along I-635 (LBJ) will be reduced and shifted significantly this weekend - Saturday night through Monday morning:
Saturday, Sept. 10 - Monday, Sept. 12: Joe Ratcliff Pedestrian Walkway will be completely demolished.
• Saturday, September 10
- 7:00 PM: Begin reduction to one lane eastbound, four lanes westbound on I-635 main lanes
- 8:30 PM: Demolish south side of Joe Ratcliff bridge
- 11:30 PM: Traffic switch to one lane westbound, four lanes eastbound on I-635 main lanes, plus westbound I-635 frontage lane closed
• Sunday, September 11
- 1:00 AM: Demolish north side of Joe Ratcliff bridge
- 12:00 Noon: Restore I-635 main lanes back to four lanes in each direction
• Monday, September 12
- 5:00 AM: I-635 westbound frontage road reopens
Located west of Marsh Lane, the rebuilt Joe Ratcliff Pedestrian Walkway is scheduled to reopen in January 2012.
The public also is reminded to plan now for construction on the upcoming weekends:
9:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept 17th to 12:00 p. m. Sunday, Sept 18th Montfort (Demolition)
9:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept 24rd to 12:00 p.m. Sunday, Sept 25th
Reduced capacity through June 2012 as west side of Montfort Bridge is demolished, reconstructed
Lane closures and traffic shifts on I-635 during times listed above - more details coming next week
7:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct 1st to 12:00 p.m. Sunday, Oct 2nd Rosser (Demolition)
7:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct 8th to 12:00 p.m. Sunday, Oct 9th
Complete bridge closure through February 2012
Lane closures and traffic shifts on I-635 during times listed above
10:00 p.m. Friday, Oct 14th to 5:00 a.m. Monday, Oct 17th Marsh (Demolition)
Reduced capacity through June 2012 as east side of Marsh Bridge is demolished, reconstructed
Lane closures and traffic shifts on I-635 during times listed above
