More closures expected for DNT projectDaily and nightly lane closures are expected to continue as the Dallas North Tollway improvement projects continue from Sam Rayburn Tollway to I-635.

The projects are composed of various road plans that extend along the DNT for 12 miles. These projects are expected to improve traffic flow and minimize the impact to traffic during future maintenance, according to North Texas Tollway Authority officials.

When completed, the DNT will consist of four lanes from PGBT to SRT. Other improvement projects include reconfiguring direct connectors, restriping and repaving.

Recently, the NTTA demolished the remaining half of the old Tennyson Parkway bridge over the DNT, which resulted in a full closure of the toll road for a weekend. In June 2016, NTTA demolished another portion of the same bridge that also resulted in a weekend closure.

“Full closures happen so work can be done safely,” NTTA spokesperson Michael Rey said. “We cannot have live traffic beneath such active work like demolition and beam placement; the entire roadway is taken up by equipment and there is no room for vehicles.”

Rey said two more full closures are anticipated, but dates have not been determined; however, the NTTA will provide advanced warning when full closures are scheduled. Construction for the project is scheduled to end in 2018.

Parkway improvement

In addition to the DNT improvement projects, Dallas Parkway in Frisco is also undergoing improvements.

Construction on Dallas Parkway began in January 2016 to add a lane on the northbound and southbound frontage roads from SH 121 to Lebanon Road. The second phase of the project, stretching from Lebanon Road to Eldorado Parkway, will also include construction of an additional lane on the northbound and southbound frontage roads. Completion of the project is scheduled for the end of 2017.

“With the $5 Billion Mile [developments], we need to provide more capacity along Dallas Parkway so you can have more access into those developments in that area of Frisco,” said Brian Moen, Frisco’s director of engineering and transportation.