Highway 114 work zone won't stop traffic at Texas Motor Speedway; Contractor shuts down project for NASCAR weekend

NASCAR fans need not worry about getting red-flagged by highway construction this weekend.

The ongoing expansion of Texas 114 just outside Texas Motor Speedway will be shut down for racing week, an official said.

Here's a photo I took this afternoon of the new retaining walls that are being put up along Texas 114, near the neighborhood south of the speedway accessed by Double Eagle Boulevard:

I'm guessing the stock car image on the wall is meant to be a generic piece of art. But does anyone else think it looks a bit like The Intimidator's No. 3 Chevrolet Monte Carlo? Will commuters be holding up three fingers as they pass by the speedway, in tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt? 

Here's a statement from speedway spokesman Mike Zizzo:

"Beginning Thursday, construction will be halted for the three days of race action (Thursday-Saturday). We also have been informed that all lanes in the DFW Connector Project through Grapevine will be open on Friday & Saturday. We also will do our usual contra-flow on Friday and Saturday evening."

The DFW Connector Mike speaks of is a $1 billion makeover of the Texas 114/121 corridor in Grapevine. It's a good 10 miles east of the speedway, but for NASCAR fans coming from the Dallas area it's an extremely common and busy path to the races.

DFW Connector Selma Stockstill clarified that her company isn't contractually bound to stop work on the massive project on racing weekends.

However, she said: 

"Our folks are very thoughtful and sensitive when planning the work around race weekend. We’ve contacted the speedway and asked them which times they are most worried about in terms of incoming/outgoing traffic.  They have responded and we have made our superintendents, who plan the work, aware of this. Right now, we have no major work planned for this weekend. We’re also staying in contact with the TMS to keep them in the loop on everything going on."

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@gdickson

 

Comments

[someguy99]

This stretch of road construction is the absolute worst area on my commute. I have gotten multiple flat tires in that zone from road debris and potholes over the last six months. Three tires and two bent rims later and the construction just keeps on coming. Gee, thanks TMS.

[Karen Thomas]

Glad I don't have to drive there. I am sure that crews are happy to not worry about working around drivers who have partied to much at the race.

[temporary access]

I am glad you share this info. but it's already late when I saw that you have posted it in here. :(

[price per head]

I am glad to hear that the government can do something like that to avoid any problem with their citizen that they are enjoying a good trip to Nascar.