Fort Worth’s Central City flood-control project is entering a major construction phase with a $169.4 million contract for the North Bypass Channel.

The roughly 3,900-foot channel will divert floodwater around the downtown bend of the Trinity River while adding floodwalls, trails, promenades and a pedestrian bridge.

Mobilization and early earthmoving are expected in late winter or early spring 2027, with completion currently targeted for 2029.

The contract does not complete the broader Panther Island vision, but it advances one of the project’s core flood-protection components from years of preparation into visible construction.

The North Tarrant Express expansion is complete months ahead of schedule, opening new capacity across a 10-mile stretch of Loop 820 and Airport Freeway.

The $414 million project added a free general-purpose lane in each direction on Loop 820 between Riverside Drive and Texas Boulevard 26, plus a TEXpress managed lane in each direction farther east along State Highway 183/121.

For Fort Worth commuters, the practical question now is whether the extra capacity makes daily travel more predictable.

The project was funded through toll revenues and arrives as traffic along the corridor continues to grow with the rest of Tarrant County.

Fort Worth’s October calendar is packed with bull riding, motorsports, festivals, local art and family-friendly Halloween events.

PBR Rattler Days opens the month Oct. 2–4, followed by the Michelada Festival downtown on Oct. 11 and High Limit Racing Oct. 16–17.

The final full weekend is especially busy, with Boo at the Zoo and Art Worth Fest running Oct. 23–25 and ArtsGoggle taking over Near Southside on Oct. 24.

Use the month as a mix-and-match calendar: Western sport, food and culture, motorsports, neighborhood art and family outings, all without leaving Fort Worth.