The Texas Department of Transportation is roughly halfway through a five-year, $583 million project to rebuild and widen the I-35E/I-35W interchange in Denton and reconstruct nearly 5 miles of surrounding frontage roads, according to an Aug. 28 Denton staff report.
The project aims to address congestion and enhance safety, a TxDOT project fact sheet states.
“Once complete, the widened interstate, improved frontage roads and enhanced ramps at key interchanges will improve mobility and safety for local commuters, University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University students, freight movement and regional travelers passing through Denton,” TxDOT Public Information Officer Tila Grant said in an email.
The details
The project spans 4.8 miles from North Texas Boulevard to US 77 north of Denton. It will reconstruct the interchange and existing frontage roads while widening the corridor to a six- to eight-lane rural freeway with ramp modifications, the report states. TxDOT's project fact sheet shows the work includes a new direct connector from northbound I-35E to southbound I-35W, a braided ramp structure near US 380 and a flyover exit ramp bridge from northbound I-35W to Oak Street.
Sema Construction Inc. is the general contractor.
Crews broke ground in April 2024, and the work is expected to continue through 2029, Grant said.
Current work
As of late September, crews are working on the bridge and paving for the northbound I-35W exit ramp to Oak Street, along with grading and paving on the northbound and southbound frontage roads, Grant said. Mainlane earthwork and paving are also underway in both directions as crews build mainlane bridges, retaining walls, overhead sign structures and illumination systems, Grant said.
Because construction is ongoing, traffic impacts can shift as the project progresses, Grant said. Signed detours and portable message boards are put in place ahead of any closures. The agency also issues traffic alerts and media advisories when significant closures or pattern changes are expected, she said.
Traffic impact
Drivers should expect nightly lane closures and temporary one-lane frontage roads at multiple points along the project, the report states. New traffic patterns are also causing longer delays for drivers navigating through the site.
When access changes are needed, TxDOT coordinates directly with affected property owners, businesses and residents and provides advance notice whenever possible, Grant said.
“TxDOT works to minimize impacts on the traveling public and nearby residents by scheduling many closure-related activities during overnight hours,” she said.
Learn more
The project is part of a congestion relief initiative called Texas Clear Lanes, which was created to address traffic congestion in metro areas across the state. Funding for the project comes from state and federal transportation funding sources, Grant said.
