The Dallas North Tollway gets a 6-mile extension
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The tollway is going to get even longer. Photo: North Texas Tollway Authority
Collin County's growth has sparked new road construction projects aimed at relieving traffic congestion and giving drivers more commute options.
Driving the news: The North Texas Tollway Authority recently approved a 6-mile expansion for the Dallas North Tollway through Prosper and Celina.
Why it matters: The tollway's expansion is a byproduct of the Dallas-Fort Worth region's growth to areas that were once considered the boonies.
Details: Construction is scheduled to begin this spring to extend DNT from U.S. 380 to FM 428 by adding three main lanes in each direction.
- The project is estimated to cost $460 million, per NTTA.
- NTTA officials say they hope to open the new lanes by the end of 2027.
What they're saying: "We are excited to expand the DNT, a backbone of North Texas, to provide travel options to new communities. History has shown, where NTTA roads go, economic development and prosperity soon follow," NTTA assistant executive director of infrastructure Elizabeth Mow said in a statement.
Meanwhile: The tollway authority is also widening DNT between Sam Rayburn Tollway and U.S. 380 in Frisco to accommodate population growth in Collin and Denton counties.
- The project includes reconstructing the intersection and bridge over Fields Parkway, near the site of the future Universal Kids Resort.
- Plus, the Texas Department of Transportation plans to widen U.S. 380 through Collin County.
Yes, but: Tolls are costly, and the northern parts of North Texas have a lot of them — including the Dallas North Tollway, President George Bush Turnpike, Sam Rayburn Tollway and the Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge.
- It costs more than $7 to drive the length of the DNT from Dallas to Frisco with a tolltag. It's double without.
The bottom line: NTTA says it collects tolls to repay debt and to operate and maintain roadways because its tollways aren't part of the state highway system and don't get direct tax funding.