In 2020, the Texas Department of Transportation began an environmental impact study for the proposed bypass around US 380. The environmental study looked at historic places, cemeteries and wetlands that might be affected by the alignment, according to TxDOT. Now, TxDOT has the draft version of the results of this study.
During the study phase, the agency looked at all viable options for an alignment, which were labeled with four colors: blue, purple, brown and gold. Each colored alternative consists of five segments labeled as A, B, C, D and E.
Meanwhile, the city and county weighed in on preferred alignment options and voiced support for directions the freeway could take through McKinney and around US 380. In 2022, McKinney City Council passed a resolution in support of the Brown Alternative, which comprises Segments B, E and C.
Now, the draft environmental impact study is ready for review. Following results of the study, TxDOT is recommending its Blue Alternative, composed of Segments A, E and C. Under this configuration, the freeway would be constructed on about 16 miles on a new location on Coit Road and US 380 and extend east around the northern portion of McKinney, connecting back to the existing US 380 near FM 1827, east of McKinney city limits.
The proposed project would construct a new eight-lane controlled access freeway that would pass through Prosper and McKinney in Collin County. If constructed in this configuration, the freeway would displace 22 residences and 35 businesses, according to TxDOT.
The main difference between this and the alignment McKinney City Council members recommended is that Segment B on the west side of the city would have the freeway follow a more gradual slope to connect back to US 380, rather than a straight north/south route.
TxDOT will hold in-person and online virtual public hearings on the project. The purpose of the hearings is to present the results of the study and the updated schematic design of the Blue Alternative. Two dates are set for the in-person meeting, which will be conducted in an open-house format with guests able to come and go as they wish. The first of these meetings will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Collin County Courthouse Central Jury Room, located at 2100 Bloomdale Road, McKinney. The second meeting will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in the gymnasium of Rhea’s Mill Baptist Church, located at 5733 N. Custer Road, McKinney. Those unable to attend in person can also attend a virtual public hearing that will be available starting at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the link www.keepitmovingdallas.com/US380EIS.
