The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) announced the approval of a six-mile extension of the Dallas North Tollway (DNT) from US 380 to FM 428, through Prosper and Celina. According to the official statement released on Dec. 20, 2023, the extension will feature three main lanes in each direction and is expected to be completed by 2027.
“We are excited to expand the DNT, a backbone of North Texas, to provide travel options to new communities,” said NTTA Assistant Executive Director of Infrastructure Elizabeth Mow. “History has shown, where NTTA roads go, economic development and prosperity soon follow.”
This is the second extension project by the NTTA initiated in 2023. In August 2023, the NTTA held a public informational session to inform local businesses and public officials about a project to widen the tollway between the Sam Rayburn Tollway and US 380 in Frisco. Apart from adding a fourth lane of travel in each direction of the DNT, the ongoing project includes a ramp and intersection improvements.
“These DNT improvements show NTTA’s commitment to meeting the mobility demands of a rapidly expanding North Texas,” said Mow.
Collin County is also expecting a realignment project aimed at alleviating congestion for Highway 380 to begin. The project, which would encompass a section of U.S. 380 from McKinney to prosper, faced several setbacks as businesses and residents prepared to protest in anticipation of an official notice about the state procuring their properties.
Additionally, a budget adjustment published by the TxDOT in August 2023 alerted Collin County officials who realized funds could stir away from the Hwy 380 bypass they began planning in 2018 towards other projects. Darrell Hale, the Collin County cCommissioner for Precinct 3 said the Collin County Commission is drafting a letter requesting that state transportation officials restore the funding, adding, "I don't want to have my constituents suffering from this for an extra six months, an extra year, extra couple years."
According to NBCDFW, the TxDOT finally presented a $4 million final environment impact statement in September 2023. The environmental analysis concluded that the best route to take was the Blue Alternative which would create a freeway from U.S. 380 near Coit Road in Prosper, around North McKinney and reconnecting to 380 in far East McKinney south of New Hope.
