Denton County is one of the fastest growing counties in Texas.  Today there are over 600,000 residents with current projections estimating over one million by 2030.  This population explosion has surpassed the capacity of IH 35E to handle the corresponding traffic demand.  While the Lewisville Lake provides many benefits to the area it provides an additional challenge for regional mobility.  As area residents know all too well, when an accident occurs the alternate routes around the lake are extremely limited.  IH 35E is an important element of the local, regional and national transportation system.  It functions as a major artery serving local and regional commuter routes to and from work, school and recreation.  It is also an important truck corridor and links the University of North Texas to the Dallas area.  Capacity improvements are critical to the region’s continued mobility and economic viability.

Increasing the capacity will reduce congestion, which will have a positive impact on our air quality by reducing the time spent idling in stop and go traffic, it will increase safety, and contribute the continued economic viability of the region.   TxDOT is proposing improvements to IH 35E from IH 635 to US 380 in Dallas and Denton Counties.  This amounts to 28 miles of improvements which includes the reconstruction and widening the existing Interstate to incorporate additional main lanes/general purpose lanes, managed lanes and frontage roads through the cities of Farmers Branch and Carrollton in Dallas County and the Town of Hickory Creek and the cities of Lewisville, Highland Village, Lake Dallas, Corinth, Shady Shores and Denton in Denton County.

TxDOT places a high priority on partnering with the cities along the corridor.  Developing and maintaining these partnerships as the planning and development of the IH 35E corridor moves forward is a key component of the overall project.   The project has been divided into three segments; south, middle and north.  In order to reflect new traffic projections that indicate changes in traffic flow on northbound and southbound IH 35E, TxDOT is in the process of updating previously developed 2005 – 2007 roadway schematics and environmental assessment documents.