Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the project broken down into three segments?

This is a major capacity improvement on an interstate system that travels 28 miles through two counties and several cities.  Breaking the project down into three segments helps to manage the development of the project corridor.  The project limits are as follows:

•  South: from IH 635 north to President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT), 5 miles.
• Middle: from PGBT to just north of FM 2181 in the Lake Cities area, 12 miles.
• North: from just north of FM 2181 to US 380 in Denton, 11 miles.

What is the cost of the project? (does not include O&M and lifecycle costs)

 Note 1: Design-Build costs include design, construction utility relocations, CEI, contingencies, etc. in real dollars ($2009).  Note 2: Total Costs include ROW.  Note 3: Right of Way only, including contingencies

I pay my gas tax.  Why isn’t that enough so all the lanes can be free?

There is a critical funding shortage at the state and national level.  The gas tax revenues are declining as the fuel efficiencies of vehicles increase.   This coupled with the population explosion our area has experienced, an aging infrastructure and the cost of inflation spiraling severely limited available revenue for increased capacity and maintenance of the current roadway system.  Current estimates reveal the statewide funding shortfall for the next 20 years is over $300 billion dollars.   

Will all of IH 35E be tolled?

No.  Only the managed lanes will be tolled.  Motorists will have the option of driving on new and improved general purpose/mainlanes or frontage roads or paying the toll for a higher level of service on the managed lanes.

How much funding is dedicated to the IH 35E corridor from the toll revenues on SH 121?

Of the $3.2 billion dollar payment received for the SH 121 toll revenues, $535 million dollars have been dedicated to improving IH 35E for the middle section.