This $105 million project reconstructs the FM 1171 bridge over I-35E, reconstructs 1.3 miles of the main interstate lanes and constructs a new northbound frontage road from Fox Avenue to College Street, said Tila Grant, public information officer for the Texas Department of Transportation.
The project began in 2023 and is projected to be completed in fall 2026.
The details
The contractor is pouring new pavement for the northeast corner of Main Street, Grant said. As a result, crews reconfigured traffic lanes by shortening the westbound turn lane onto the I-35 frontage road.
Crews are also installing drilled shafts for the retaining wall on the northbound frontage road, installing soil nail anchors for the retaining wall on the southbound frontage road and carving an embankment for the new northbound I-35E general purpose lanes, she said.
During the next phase of construction, part of the existing bridge will be demolished, and there will only be two lanes of traffic in each direction, Grant said. Any closures needed will be short-term.
"Traffic on the Main Street bridge will be shifted as needed to facilitate the construction of Main Street. The bridge will remain open during construction except when closures are needed for bridge demolition or for new bridge construction work,” Grant said.
Also of note
The project is part of a larger Denton County Connections initiative and the Texas Clear Lanes project aimed at mitigating traffic bottlenecks caused by rapid population and industry growth along the I-35 corridor, according to documents.
Texas Clear Lanes is a statewide strategic plan to provide congestion relief through nontolled roads and is focused on the five largest metro areas in the state.
