Drivers on South Hulen Street between Loop 820 and Bellaire Drive South may want to plan for extra travel time in the coming months.

Crews are expected to begin a resurfacing project this month, with completion expected in September.

Drivers should expect delays as workers mill the top layer of the previous pavement, clean the surface and pour a new layer of asphalt.

Traffic delays will occur in segments rather than one continuous closure. Traffic will be managed using signage and traffic control devices, said Lara Ingram, the public information officer for Fort Worth’s transportation and public works sector.

London Siegfried, a first-year business major, said she drives on South Hulen Street about four times a week to get to work.

“This will result in me having to leave much earlier from campus just so I can get to work on time,” Siegfried said. “Although I do believe it needs resurfacing, I think the construction will be very disruptive to traffic.”

Ingram said the paving phase of the project will be most disruptive because it will cause ongoing lane closures. Disruptions will be minimized during peak traffic hours when conditions allow.

The $2.7 million project will be funded through “PayGo,” meaning it will be paid directly from the city’s budget rather than through borrowed bond funds.

A map showing the area affected by the upcoming construction on South Hulen Street was emailed to Fort Worth residents. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fort Worth)

“When it’s complete, the smoother surface and upgraded corridor will support better connectivity to campus, nearby neighborhoods and local businesses for years to come,” said city council member Michael Crain, who represents the area.

He said the “heavy-maintenance milling and overlay” will help extend the life of the street and avoid “the need for more costly emergency repairs down the road.”

The pavement on South Hulen Street, which carries about 15,000 vehicles daily in each direction, was rated 52 out of 100, with 100 being prime condition, Ingram said.

This means the road is still in decent condition, and maintenance at this time will prevent the road from deteriorating to a point where reconstruction would be more costly.

Despite concerns about temporary traffic disruptions, Siegfried said she is pleased with Fort Worth’s efforts to improve roadways in the TCU area.

“Once completed, drivers and students should notice a smoother driving surface, improved ride quality and clearer pavement markings,” Ingram said.