Although the DFW Connector Project was completed in March 2014, Grapevine residents will likely be hearing about additional work on the DFW Connector in some capacity for years to come.

This is largely because several transportation projects that were originally part of the DFW Connector project were left unfunded.

One of those projects is the SH 121/ SH 360 interchange in Grapevine, which received funding in February and is expected to begin construction in late August.

Michael Peters, Texas Department of Transportation public information officer, said the project received funding as a result of a several-month effort led by Texas Transportation Commissioner J. Bruce Bugg Jr.

“[For months he gained] valuable insights from transportation leaders and elected officials in the state’s five major metropolitan areas,” he said. “Those listening tours and collaborative efforts with metropolitan organizations and TxDOT districts helped shape this initiative.”

The 1.6-mile project will cost $61 million and is projected to take about two years to complete.

Peters said the interchange is needed because of current congestion problems.

“Currently there are two major weaving movements that are causing congestion in the area,” he said. “The new direct-connecting ramps will relieve this congestion and will further complete the DFW Connector improvements for this area.”

Peters said not only will the project remove the weaving patterns, but it will also improve safety and mobility near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and fill unfinished portions left in the DFW Connector that affected mobility.

As with any transportation project, businesses around it could lose revenue, and some may close, according to city officials.

This was the case in Grapevine when the initial connector project was under construction.

Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate was quoted in a previous Community Impact Newspaper article saying: “It took all we had to get this project done,” noting that some businesses suffered, and some shut down.

However, Grapevine Public Works Director Stan Laster said this interchange project will not affect many businesses.

“There’s not a lot of businesses near the construction area,” he said. “Really, all you have is Pavestone.”

Peters said TxDOT will assign someone to work with businesses who may be affected by the construction.

“A representative will be named soon,” he said. “A public information officer will keep businesses informed, similar to the original DFW Connector project and the FM 2499 project.”

Peters said the interchange is not the last of the unfunded DFW Connector projects.

Although there are some smaller segments left, there is a large project near SH 121 and I-635 that remains unfunded at a cost of approximately $320 million.