Two-minute impact
Motorists who travel US 377 in south Denton County will notice a wider road in the next several years as the area prepares for more population growth, which in turn will bring more motorists. Texas Department of Transportation officials plan to expand the road from two lanes to four lanes from Flower Mound to Argyle. The project also extends to Roanoke.
But when the project will begin is up in the air, as the funding still needs to be found, said Tila Grant, public information officer for the TxDOT Dallas District. However, work has started on certain aspects of the project, such as utility relocation, which should finish by the end of 2024.
The estimated project cost from FM 1171 to Crawford Road in Argyle is $84 million, Grant said in an email.
“Currently, there is no fixed construction schedule for this project,” Grant said. “We plan to develop a construction schedule in collaboration with the contractor once the project is [ready to receive bids from contractors].”
She said TxDOT expects to start receiving bids in early 2025. The project is in the design phase, which began in 2019, Grant said.
Current situation
This project aims to widen the existing two-lane roadway—one lane going north and one lane going south—to a four-lane, divided roadway, providing two lanes in each direction with a median for enhanced traffic flow and safety.
Robert White, public works director for the town of Argyle, said his town’s portion of US 377 ends at Country Club and Crawford roads
White said the project could take at least two years, but he said there is a bridge section going in at FM 1171, and because of that, the contract could go as long as three years.
Zooming in
TxDOT plans to add a sidewalk running on each side of US 377. Approximately 16 acres of right of way is needed, TxDOT officials said.
Only six acres of right of way is needed for the portion of the US 377 project that runs south from FM 1171 to Hwy. 114 in Roanoke, TxDOT officials said. The estimated cost of that project is $80 million.
TxDOT officials actively coordinate with town of Argyle and Denton County officials on this project.
“Additionally, we are in close coordination with the town of Flower Mound, which has utilities in the project corridor,” Grant said.
Going forward
Local officials said residents will quickly see how the project will impact their communities. The project will affect traffic fl ow, and people will like the result, Flower Mound Mayor Derek France said.
“Once the project is complete, we expect to see a noticeable decline in traffic congestion as well as an overall smoother fl ow of traffic in the area,” he said. “Additionally, the project will help prepare the area for increased traffic associated with future development on the western side of Flower Mound.”
