State and local officials, the Texas Department of Transportation and AGL Constructors celebrated Nov 8 the substantial completion of Phase 1 of the 35Express project.

"Today's official ribbon-cutting on the I-35 expansion project is a tremendous accomplishment for the North Texas region," state Rep. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound said. "I am most proud of the incredible partnership that was formed here in Denton County with stakeholders of all levels that worked tirelessly to make this major mobility improvement a reality,"

Parker said the project came with many sacrifices from both citizens and everyone involved in the construction process.

"But we now have the opportunity to grow our economy, create more jobs, improve air quality and provide a much safer passage for the hundreds of thousands who utilize this critical section of I-35 everyday, he said."

The project, which began in 2013, widened the roadway from US Highway 380 in Denton County to I-635 in Dallas County. The project has increased mobility by adding an additional main lane in both directions and continuous frontage roads. It also added 18 miles of reversible TEXpress managed lanes. For more information on the project, click here.

"As the population of Denton County grows and the many travelers that visit us, I am glad that we have been proactive on working to complete critical transportation infrastructure in Denton County," Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell said.

Currently, Phase 2 of the 35Express project is unfunded. TxDOT officials said they expect the next phase to begin 5 to 10 years from now.