North Texas Daily

Schyler Butler // Intern Writer

Four months ago, phase one of the Interstate 35 East expansion project began in full effect. The project runs through eight cities, including Denton, and covers 28 miles of highway.

The project is led by AGL Constructors, with the goal of improving mobility and air quality for all highway users and overall quality of life.

Mark Nelson is the Director of Transportation for the City of Denton. Photo by Zach Estrada / Intern Photographer

“We’re adding over a thousand Texans every day and they’re not bringing the bridges with them,” said Mark Nelson, director of transportation for the city of Denton. “They’re not bringing the roads with them, but what are they bringing? They’re bringing the vehicles, they’re bringing the need for additional freight.”

Phase one is broken into three segments: the southern segment, which is Interstate 635 up to the President George Bush turnpike; the middle segment, from the Bush turnpike to Swisher Road in Corinth and the northern segment, from Swisher Road to University Drive in Denton.

Kim Sims, public information manager for AGL Constructors, said construction has yet to seriously impact traffic in Denton.

“We have a long way to go before we have anything completed,” Sims said.

Important construction updates include the permanent closure of the I-35 north and southbound HOV lanes.

While many students, faculty and staff continue to be frustrated by construction’s interference with their daily commute, some are more sympathetic to the inevitable difficulties.

“Road construction shouldn’t be as negatively viewed as people make it,” English senior and Denton resident Brett Watson said. “When residents and travelers are looking for safer roads to drive [on], it can only be accomplished by a designated construction period.”

Nelson said phase one construction includes a reversible managed lane system down I-35. This lane system will be separated from the other lanes with a concrete wall.

Generally, reversible lanes are used during peak driving periods. Traffic may flow in either direction with specific traffic lights or signs used to indicate which lanes are open.

Nelson said other projects include a new general-purpose lane in each direction and additional general-purpose lanes through Lake Lewisville. Reconstruction of the North Texas Boulevard Bridge and updates to the Lake Lewisville Bridge to include pedestrian and bike paths are also scheduled.

Construction for phase one is expected to finish in 2017, with phase two beginning about 18 to 36 months afterwards. The timeline remains uncertain as funding for phase two continues to be an issue.

“Simply, the funding is not there”, Nelson said. “It’s pay-as-you-go. We know that we have a much larger project and eventually, we would like to get there but we can’t go out and build it all right now.”

Mark Nelson, Director of Transportation for the City of Denton, is seen here getting hands on with the schematic layouts for the new construction plans. Photo by Zach Estrada / Intern Photographer

The current estimated cost for the entire project stands at $4.8 billion, but Nelson pointed out that the number will likely change. Phase one is currently funded by state and federal funds along with a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan, which the new managed lanes and toll lanes will eventually pay for.

Other funds are coming from Denton County’s regional toll revenue. Local and regional officials are working with state officials to address funding concerns. Denton will be the least affected city as construction continues.

“All we are going to get out of [current construction] is the additional general-purpose or free lane in each direction,” Nelson said. “The construction that you see is primarily associated with utility work. What they’re doing is adding a lot of additional drainage, increasing the drainage capacity and relocating the drainage inlets so that they can get the additional lane in.”

Construction updates can be seen at 35express.org. An e-newsletter is also available through the website.

More information on the project can also be found through the project’s Twitter and Facebook accounts  The construction hotline is (214) 483-7777 and the public information office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2420 South Stemmons Freeway.

A rendering of the 35E bridge over Lake Lewisville, looking north from Garden Ridge. Current bridge structure will provide all north bound lanes, managed lanes and a hike and bike trail. The new bridge structure will provide all main and frontage road southbound lanes. Graphic courtesy of Mark Nelson

Feature photo: The schematic layout for the new construction plan is pictured. Denton is working closely with ALG improve the roads on I35 in Denton. Photo by Zach Estrada / Intern Photographer