The Denton County Commissioners Court is working to expedite construction on improvements to the intersection of FM 407 and I-35W to start this month, according to a county news release.
The details
The court approved a contract with Ed Bell Construction Company for more than $2 million during its regular meeting Jan. 30 to add right-turn lanes on the west side of FM 407 and I-35 W to improve congestion.
“We know this has been a difficult situation for residents who use this route and, though improvements to FM 407 are in our long-term plans, we needed to take action sooner than later,” Commissioner Dianne Edmondson said.
Construction is expected to start in February, expediting the process laid out in the county's Micro Breakout Project. Aside from the right-turn lanes, the project includes adding drainage, vehicle deflection walls at the FM407 and I-35W overpass and pavement markings.
The project is expected to take about 100 days to complete, according to the release
The backstory
The entire FM 407 breakout project will take place between Cleveland-Gibbs Road in Northlake and Gateway Drive in Argyle.
“As our housing developments across the southwest portion of the county have escalated, traffic also increased. We began the process with the Texas Department of Public Transportation to expand the two existing lanes to six lanes along the FM 407 corridor from Gateway Drive to Cleveland-Gibbs Road several years ago,” Denton County Judge Andy Eads said. “I appreciate Commissioner Edmondson advocating for this roadway improvement that will be completed in the next few months.”
Commissioners unanimously approved an additional services agreement for the project with Bartlett & West Inc., worth around $1.68 million, during the Oct. 14 meeting, according to previous reporting. The additional funding adds to the previously approved $1.35 million for a total funding of nearly $3.03 million for the improvements.
