Denton County residents filled the Gene Pike Middle School gymnasium in Justin to view blueprints of the FM 407 widening project and meet with project engineers March 27.

Representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation were on hand in an informal meet-and-greet setting to chat with the public about the project's status while providing an opportunity for public input and answering questions from residents on how they may be affected by the road widening.

The details: Construction of FM 407 will cover 11.5 miles, from Bill Cook Road—west of Justin—to FM 1830 in Bartonville, impacting residents in six cities and towns.
  • Costs are estimated at $235 million; the project is currently unfunded.
  • Construction "letting," or the process of receiving bids prior to awarding any construction or project contract, is anticipated to begin in 2028.
  • Road widening will take place only in Denton County.
Existing vs. expected: The focus of the project is expanding FM 407 from two 11-foot-wide lanes to six 12-foot-wide lanes.
  • Currently no center median; construction would add an 18-foot-wide median
  • Currently open drainage ditches; construction would add curb and gutter, or in-ground, drainage
  • Railroad track crossing at FM 156 and US 377; project would add a grade separation at FM 156
Road warriors: FM 407 is one of the county's heaviest traffic thoroughfares. Per the latest TxDOT traffic data going back to 2021:
  • 6,620 vehicles passed through the intersection of FM 407 and FM 156 in Justin
  • 18,033 vehicles passed through the intersection of FM 407 and I-35W in Corral City
  • 11,743 vehicles passed through the intersection of FM 407 and US 377 in Argyle
  • 30,125 vehicles passed through the intersection of FM 407 and FM 2499 in Flower Mound
  • 25,879 vehicles passed through the intersection of FM 407 and I-35E in Lewisville
Right of way: Even with bids not expected to be considered until 2028, TxDOT officials noted that right-of-way construction can begin earlier.
  • Approximately 121 acres of new right-of-way is believed to be required.
  • Potential displacements include six residences, according to officials.
Proposed project timeline: TxDOT officials released a tentative schedule for the public to follow in the years leading up to actual construction.
  • Fall 2023-spring 2024: finalize design of widening
  • Spring 2024: second public hearing
  • Fall 2024: environmental clearance and right-of-way acquisition begins
  • Fall 2028: anticipated ready to let date