Changing traffic patterns on Main Street, Fourth Street to close as part of Frisco's downtown rebuilding efforts

Drivers traveling through the Frisco Rail Circuit will start seeing big changes starting August 15th.

What you need to know

Lanes on the south half of Main Street between First and Fifth streets — from the Frisco Rail Yard to The Blushing Bride Boutique — were closed Aug. 15 while contractors install utilities and fix the road, according to an Aug. 14 city ​​news bulletin.

This will shift traffic to a two-lane system on the north side of the road.

Until now, a similar model was in place between First and Third streets. That system will now extend to Fifth Street and remain in place for several months until construction and traffic patterns shift to the northbound lanes for contractors to work on the other half of Main Street, according to the release.

Starting in mid-September, Fourth Street will be closed permanently to make way pedestrian squarea city project years in the making which will bring large shaded walkways, a performance stage and lawn, seating areas and more in the downtown area.

Impact management

Second Street will be temporarily connected to Main Street to restore traffic at the same time, but may be closed from time to time as needed.

Here are some other changes expected for Main Street over the next few months:

• Third Street will temporarily reconnect with Main Street in September, but will still be closed
• First Street, Frisco Square Boulevard and Third Street will be closed south of Main Street
• Eastbound traffic on Frisco Square Boulevard will be detoured south on First Street and then east on Elm Street

Throughout the closures, northbound traffic on First Street may be detoured onto John W. Elliott Drive to reach Main Street, according to the release. Northbound traffic on Third Street and Fourth Street will have to detour onto Fifth Street to reach Main Street.

Moving forward

Several blocks of street parking have already been removed from Main Street, according to the release. There are blue signs installed along the road to help motorists find the public parking lots located behind Main Street, which are accessible from Elm Street and Oak Street.

Additional blue signs have been installed to direct potential customers to specific businesses that have lost access to Main Street.

City officials recommend that drivers who are headed to use the city center Wazea navigation system that the city regularly updates with road closures or detours.