US 75 at US 380
The Texas Department of Transportation closed the southbound US 75 entrance ramp at US 380 until Oct. 12 for on-ramp reconstruction. During the closure, drivers can continue on the southbound frontage road to the next US 75 entrance ramp south of White Street. Delays are expected, and drivers are encouraged to seek an alternate route if possible. The ramp reconstruction is part of a greater
US 75 widening project in McKinney.
Timeline: January 2012-December 2015
Cost: $106.5 million
Funding sources: regional toll revenue funds.
Lake Forest Drive expansion
The city of McKinney is set to begin construction in October to widen Lake Forest Drive from four lanes to six lanes from SH 121 to McKinney Ranch Parkway. According to a traffic study conducted by the city in 2013, this portion of the roadway is traveled by more than 20,000 to 30,000 vehicles per day. The additional lanes will address traffic congestion in this area. The estimated completion date has not yet been released.
Timeline: October 2015-TBD
Cost: $2.1 million
Funding sources: $1 million from Collin County, $1.1 million from city of McKinney
Redbud Boulevard realignment
The city of McKinney completed construction to realign Redbud Boulevard from near its intersection with Wilmeth Road to connect to the intersection of Bloomdale Road and Shawnee Drive. Two lanes of the future four-lane roadway have been constructed, and the new alignment ties into the existing Redbud. Construction was delayed two weeks because of inclement weather. Officials said Redbud is scheduled to open in October as crews work to complete minor items.
Timeline: January-October 2015
Cost: $2 million
Funding sources: city of McKinney.
Speed limits to remain low on US 75 throughout Collin County
Drivers who commute to and from work on US 75 through Collin County are used to seeing slower speeds than in neighboring counties. According to TxDOT officials, that will be the case until all construction work on US 75 is complete.
In October, TxDOT crews are putting finishing touches on the widening project that stretches from the north end of the city to the south end. Crews are working to widen the US 75 to four main lanes in each direction and three frontage road lanes in each direction from SH 121 to US 380. TxDOT is also widening US 75 to four main lanes in each direction and two frontage road lanes each direction from Wilmeth Road to Telephone Road.
By January, drivers through McKinney will be commuting on the newly widened roadway. However, new widening projects through Allen and Plano will stall the speed limit change. There is a large improvement scheduled at the interchange of US 75 and the President George Bush Turnpike. TxDOT officials said there is not an estimated completion date at this time. The project is slated to go out for bids in November.