FM 1171 interchange at I-35 project in Lewisville to receive aesthetic enhancements

The FM 1171 interchange at I-35 project will receive aesthetic enhancements after Lewisville City Council approved a local project advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation.

The item was approved Dec. 5. It was tabled during council’s Nov. 21 meeting to give staff more time to discuss mural designs with TxDOT, according to the agenda item.

Aesthetic improvements for the interchange include texturized colored sidewalks, specialized light poles and signposts, pedestrian lighting and banner poles, raised planters and landscape irrigation.

In a review of the plans, TxDOT indicated the words “Fighting Farmers” would not be allowed on the wall graphics because the text is not associated with a public entity’s logo, according to the agency’s guidelines. City staff is working to get approval for the "Fighting Farmers" graphic.

TxDOT will construct the water taps, main lines and electrical, while the city will be responsible for adding the final irrigation heads, soil and mulch, and plantings once construction is completed.

Construction is scheduled to begin early 2023. The $3.2 million project will be funded through Capital Project # G1107. Denton County has also included funding in the Trip-22 Bond Program. Lewisville will enter an interlocal agreement with the county to participate in the funding once bond funds become available. Lewisville will be responsible for the maintenance of the aesthetic features once the project is completed.