Highway I-20 is a popular route for many in the metroplex and it’s been under construction for several months. While causing disruptions to everyone’s daily route, this project ultimately aims to enhance accessibility and improve travel in the Walsh area.
“They’re putting in access roads and making a bridge over I-20,” Director of Communications Mercedes Mayer said. “Between the 20-30 split at Market Ranch Road to make it more accessible for where the new UTA is going to be and other development that’s coming this way.”
To keep community members informed during this construction period Aledo is actively utilizing social media and the weekly Bearcat Blast which is sent out every Thursday.
“We stay in constant contact with a whole group of local government officials and make sure that we all communicate with each other,” Mayer said.
One of these local governments includes the City of Willow Park and TxDOT, a government agency responsible for maintaining the state’s transportation systems. This collaboration ensures awareness of future projects affecting the main transportation routes.
“Whenever they have something going on, they try to send us that information so we can let our community know,” Mayer said.
During construction, it’s important to follow driving laws and drive within the slow speed limits in construction zones.
“Drive slow, be careful and watch for construction workers,” Mayer said.” Construction can be painful but always ends up being a good thing in the end.”
Mayer also reminds us how important it is to keep the end goal in mind and the improvements that will follow the project’s completion. The area of Walsh is the most affected by the construction, but has not experienced significant disruptions due to its back exit onto Old Weatherford Road.
“We don’t go on the highway,” freshman Tucker Babb said. “We go on Old Weatherford Road , then over the interstate on 3325 and 1187 to the school.”
Old Weatherford Road serves as a common route for both high schoolers and middle schoolers to travel for school and other local activities. However, it remains important for individuals to leave early enough to reach their destinations on time.
“I live 15 minutes from the school,” freshman Natalia Garcia said. “Sometimes traffic can add 3 minutes to the overall time.”
In addition to navigation on the east side of construction, there is added stress for those traveling west on I-20.
“It can cause people to worry about not getting to where they’re going on time,” Garcia said. “Or they just barely make it to events.”
Despite these challenges, the construction also fosters a sense of community in both Aledo and Willow Park.
“We’re bigger than just a town,” Mayer said. “Because we are Aledo and the City of Willow Park, so we try to work together to make sure everybody knows what’s going on.”
