During the Jan. 27 meeting, TxDOT Collin County Area Engineer Jennifer Vorster updated council on a project to replace the high-occupancy vehicle lanes on US 75 with what the department calls “technology lanes.”
“What that means is that for 22 hours a day ... you’ll be able to use [the HOV lane] as a lane for everybody,” Vorster said. “[The HOV lane] will function as a fifth lane.”
The details
The purpose of the project is to expand US 75 to five lanes by eliminating the HOV lanes, which are underutilized, by removing the pylons separating northbound and southbound HOV lanes from I-635 to SH 121. Additional improvements include enhancements to lighting and signage, which requires constructing a new center divider between the northbound and southbound lanes.
“We’re getting rid of that temporary barrier and putting in that nice permanent barrier all the way through,” Vorster said.
Vorster said the center barrier is currently under construction from President George Bush Tollway to SH 121. Drivers can expect closure in the HOV lanes from PGBT to I-635 beginning in the summer or early fall. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, Vorster said, adding that it is currently ahead of schedule.
The background
Council was first briefed on the $57 million project in April 2023 and work began in March 2024. The project will convert existing HOV lanes to general purpose lanes by removing the pylons separating the northbound and southbound HOV lanes. The lanes will only be limited to HOVs, low-emission vehicles and motorcycles during high traffic hours — 7-9 a.m. in the southbound lane and 4-6 p.m. in the northbound lane.
