TxDOT holds meet-and-greet for Denton County public on FM 1171 expansion

The Texas Department of Transportation is staying transparent on all major projects as Denton County roads continue to get makeovers.

For the second time in less than a month, TxDOT held an informal meet-and-greet at Gene Pike Middle School in Justin to allow the public a chance to ask engineer questions and view construction blueprints. This month's spotlight is a major overhaul of FM 1171, which runs through Lewisville, Flower Mound, Argyle, Northlake and Justin.

TxDOT held a similar public gathering in March to discuss the widening of FM 407, another major Denton County artery that will have a facelift come 2028.

The details: In the interim, FM 1171 would be expanded to four 12-foot-wide lanes and a depressed median in rural areas. Eventually, the road would become a six-lane, 12-foot-wide road.

• There will be 3.5 miles of construction involving the cities of Justin and Northlake.
• All construction would be done west of I-35W.
• In urban areas, the road would be expanded to six 12-foot-wide lanes with a depressed median.

The “urban area roads” would connect to the existing FM 1171 road and continue west, stopping shortly after the Qual Creek Shooting Range in Northlake.

Estimated cost: Officials peg this project at around $118 million.

Shared space: TxDOT placed an emphasis on shared pedestrian space for this project. As such, all urban sections of roadway will include a pedestrian and bicycle shared-use path and sidewalk, according to officials.

Dates to know: TxDOT released a tentative schedule of need-to-know dates for the public in regards to FM 1171's expansion.

• Summer 2023: environmental clearance by TxDOT
• Summer 2023: right of way acquisition begins; public will see beginnings of construction

Anticipated ready-to-let date: Construction crews will begin bidding on this project in 2026, per officials.