Winter weather continues to wreak havoc across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex as icy conditions shut down major highways, cancel hundreds of flights, and force school closures for another day.
Eastbound State Highway 114 at State Highway 121 in Grapevine is currently closed after two tractor-trailers collided on ice-slicked roads early Wednesday morning. While no injuries were reported, officials expect the closure to last at least two hours as crews work to clear the scene.
There’s a bit of good news for some commuters, though. All eastbound lanes of Interstate 30 near Belt Line Road have reopened after an hours-long closure due to overnight refreezing, although drivers are still being warned about potentially dangerous slick spots throughout the corridor.
Planned Closures Compound Weather Problems
Adding to the weather-related traffic woes, the southbound I-35E exit ramp to eastbound I-635 will be closed overnight from 8 p.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Thursday, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. This planned closure, while unrelated to the weather, comes at a particularly challenging time for area drivers.
Air travel hasn’t fared much better. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport currently leads the nation in canceled flights, with 349 inbound and 276 outbound cancellations as of 10:08 a.m. on January 26. Travelers are urged to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.
How bad is the situation? Bad enough that numerous school districts across the region have extended their closures through Wednesday, January 28. Dallas ISD, Denton ISD, and Lewisville ISD are among the many districts keeping students home for another day as road conditions remain treacherous.
City Services Affected
The City of Fort Worth has suspended all residential collections for garbage, recycling, yard waste, and bulk waste on Wednesday due to unsafe road conditions. Residents who normally receive Wednesday pickup will need to wait until next week for service, city officials confirmed.
Meanwhile, TxDOT Fort Worth District crews continue working around the clock, treating major state roadways with brine applications in an effort to improve driving conditions. These dedicated teams have been operating in shifts since the winter weather system first approached the region.
For residents venturing out in these conditions, transportation officials stress the importance of slowing down, maintaining a safe following distance, and avoiding sudden braking or acceleration. Even treated roads can develop unexpected icy patches, particularly on bridges and overpasses.
As the region continues to grapple with this winter weather event, the message from officials remains consistent: if you don’t need to travel, don’t. For those who must venture out, patience and extreme caution are the orders of the day.
