December 2017
Archer Western Celebrates Substantial Completion of 35Express Project
HIGHLAND VILLAGE, Texas — State, local elected and appointed officials, the Texas Department of Transportation and AGL Constructors were on hand to celebrate the substantial completion the 35Express project with a ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday.
Launched in the Fall of 2013, the $1.4 billion expansion of Interstate 35E extends from US Highway 380 in Denton County to I-635 in Dallas County. The project has increased mobility in the key north-south corridor with an additional mainlane in both directions, continuous frontage roads, as well as 18 miles of reversible TEXpress Lanes managed lanes.
“This is definitely a time of celebration,” said Denton County Judge Mary Horn. “Drivers have seen a marked improvement in safety and mobility in the I-35 E corridor. We appreciate the support of the voters in Denton County in approving the road bond packages years ago that allowed us to leverage local dollars with regional, state and federal dollars to bring this phase to completion.”
More than 30 miles of the interstate were repaved as part of the 35Express construction effort and more than 75 bridges were refurbished or completely rebuilt including; the bridges at North Texas Boulevard, Corinth Parkway, Post Oak Drive, the new southbound Lewisville Lake Bridge, FM 407/Justin Road, Belt Line Road, and Dickerson Parkway. Note: The new Lewisville Lake bridge now carries all southbound traffic and provides frontage roads, TEXpress Lanes and shared paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Also included with this major project were direct connectors from the Sam Rayburn Tollway to I-35E, collector distributor lanes between the President George Bush Turnpike to the Sam Rayburn Tollway, continuous frontage roads along the entire corridor and direct connectors to the LBJ Express TEXpress Lanes at I-635.
“The 35Express Expansion Project marks a huge milestone in TxDOT’s efforts to serve as a vital part of congestion relief for Texas,” said Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr.
The project also includes improvements to four parks near Lewisville Lake —Copperas Branch, Copperas Branch East, Highland Lakes and Arrowhead Park. Amenities at these parks include new parking, trails, trailheads, and play equipment.
35Express construction is managed by AGL Constructors, a joint venture between Archer Western Contractors L.L.C., Granite Construction Incorporated and The Lane Construction Corporation, for the Texas Department of Transportation.