ARLINGTON -- North Arlington resident John E. Dosher looks forward to a day when his trip to the bank isn't quite so bumpy.
Dosher regularly drives Lamar Boulevard between Collins Street and Ballpark Way to run errands like banking or going to the post office. That particular stretch north of Interstate 30 is long overdue for repairs, he said."It has seen better days. It's bumpy and it's congested," Dosher said. "I have watched it decline for a long time."In the next few months, Arlington will begin rebuilding and widening that section of Lamar Boulevard as part of three planned road improvement projects totaling nearly $15 million. The Lamar project, which voters approved bond money for in 2008, will widen the east-west thoroughfare from four lanes to a six-lane divided boulevard and bring improvements such as new street lights, landscaping and sidewalks."When I heard they were going to do it, my first thought was, 'It's about time,'" Dosher said. "It's worth every penny."North Arlington isn't the only part of town that will see street work begin over the next few months.The city plans to spend about $310,000 in improvements at the Collins Street railroad crossing to quiet train horns near the entertainment district and $4.3 million to rebuild Park Row Drive from Texas 360 to the eastern city limits, said Keith Brooks, engineering operations manager for Arlington's public works department.A rough rideThe Lamar project, which also includes storm drainage, water and sewer line and traffic signal improvements, is set to begin in January and be completed by September 2014."It's a pretty rough ride," Brooks said. "You'll have a brand new roadway with new landscaping. It will definitely enhance the area."At-large Councilman Jimmy Bennett said he understands residents' impatience with how long it has taken to rebuild Lamar but added that the city has a limited amount of money to address a long list of infrastructure needs."There are demands throughout the city," Bennett said.Lamar "is a street that serves residences, businesses as well as tourists in a very major way. It is one of the more vital thoroughfares we have in north Arlington," he added. "I wish we could have been able to get to this sooner."Quiet zoneThe rail crossing at Collins Street is expected to become the city's newest quiet zone next year. Arlington will spend about $310,000 in safety improvements, such as a median that prevents motorists from driving around the gate arms, and flashing signals, which will allow train engineers not to blow their horns as they pass.Residents have asked the city for years to reduce train noise along the busy Union Pacific freight line, which cuts through the heart of Arlington. Quiet zones are already in place between Bowen Road and downtown rail crossings.Interest in quiet zones grew after a law was passed in 2005 requiring locomotives to sound their horns at all highway and railroad crossings. Trains are not supposed to blow horns through quiet zones unless there are pedestrians, animals, inattentive drivers or other potential risks around the crossing.As part of that project, the city will also make changes to allow motorists driving south on the outer right lane of Collins to continue straight instead of being forced to turn right onto Abram Street, Brooks said.In east Arlington, the city plans to begin a $4.3 million project to rebuild Park Row Drive between Texas 360 and the Grand Prairie city limits by December. That project, expected to be complete by March 2014, also includes storm drainage, water and sewer lines, sidewalks, street lights and traffic signal improvements.Susan Schrock, 817-709-7578Twitter: @susanschrockHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
