WFAA News 8:
DALLAS — Drivers who rely on Interstate 30 through downtown Dallas should prepare for a major weekend shutdown tied to ongoing construction on the I-30 Canyon Project.
Weather permitting, all lanes of eastbound and westbound I-30 will be fully closed between I-35E and I-45/US-75 beginning 10 p.m. Friday, January 16, and reopening by 5 a.m. Monday, January 19.
What drivers need to know
During the closure, traffic will be detoured off I-30 and redirected to alternate routes. The primary signed detour will route drivers to Woodall Rodgers Freeway (Spur-366), which will serve as the main east-west connection between I-35E and I-45/US-75 while I-30 is closed.
Even with detours in place, significant delays are expected, especially during peak travel times. Drivers should plan for extra travel time, consider alternate routes if possible, and avoid unnecessary trips through downtown during the closure window.
TxDOT says the same type of full weekend closure is expected to happen again later this month as construction continues, though specific dates for the next shutdown have not yet been finalized.
Credit: WFAA
Long-term downtown closures also begin this week
In addition to the weekend I-30 shutdown, several downtown streets will see long-term closures and lane reductions starting earlier in the week as part of the larger Canyon Project footprint.
- Cesar Chavez Boulevard will close at I-30 beginning at 9 p.m. Monday, January 12, and remain closed through late 2028.
- Cadiz Street will close at I-30 starting 9 p.m. Tuesday, January 13. The street will eventually reopen on a new alignment later in the project.
- Akard Street will close at I-30 beginning at 9 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, with the closure expected to last through summer 2028.
- Good Latimer Expressway will narrow to one lane in each direction starting 9 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, with those restrictions lasting through early 2028.
Signed detours will be in place for all street closures. Drivers should expect ongoing delays in the surrounding downtown grid as traffic adjusts to these long-term changes. Pedestrian access will not be allowed inside active work zones.
Why is this work happening
All of this is part of the $888 million I-30 Canyon Project, which stretches between the I-35E and I-45 interchanges. The project is designed to modernize the aging downtown corridor, improve safety, and reconfigure the freeway to better handle future traffic demand.
Construction is expected to continue for several more years, with overall completion currently projected for late 2030, weather permitting.
Planning ahead
If you normally use I-30 through downtown, this is a good time to build alternate routes into your routine. Plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and stay alert for changing traffic patterns, especially during overnight and weekend hours.
