Texas Expanded I-35E Construction, Increasing Lane Work
Local operators should expect overnight delays on the 6.39-mile stretch of Interstate 35E through spring 2027.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Construction
Live Poll
Do you feel local road construction projects provide enough benefit to justify recurring traffic closures?
The Texas Department of Transportation has moved forward with overnight closures for a $709 million interstate reconstruction project. The work, which spans from Interstate 635 to the Denton County line, is expected to continue until the project concludes in spring 2027.
Why it matters
The reconstruction and widening of this major transit corridor aim to increase lane capacity, though the ongoing closures significantly impact logistics and commute times for area businesses. This long-term capital improvement follows years of planning to alleviate congestion in a critical Texas region.
The total project budget is $709 million for 6.39 miles of interstate infrastructure. Phase 2 construction, currently involving active nightly closures, is scheduled for completion in spring 2027.
The players
Texas Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for the planning, design, and maintenance of the state's transportation infrastructure.
The details
Crews are performing nightly lane and frontage road closures between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. to facilitate the widening of Interstate 35E. The project adds one general-purpose lane in each direction while reconstructing existing frontage roads and managed lanes. These infrastructure upgrades are designed to increase capacity over the 6.39-mile stretch between Interstate 635 and the Denton County line.
Timeline
1998: Corridor studies for I-35E began.
2018: Phase 1 construction was completed.
2022: Phase 2 construction began.
October 6, 2026 to October 11, 2026: Scheduled overnight road closures occur.
Spring 2027: Phase 2 construction is expected to finish.
Market Landscape
This project represents the final stage of long-term planning efforts established by the 1998 Interstate 35E corridor studies. It follows a decade-long development cycle that saw Phase 1 reach completion in 2018.
Operators reliant on this corridor should adjust delivery schedules to account for 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. closures through the duration of the project. Monitor local transit alerts to mitigate supply chain disruptions caused by nightly lane capacity reductions.
The takeaway
Large-scale infrastructure projects often span multiple decades and require flexible logistics planning from local business owners. Track the project completion milestones to anticipate when traffic patterns will normalize near your operations.
What happens next
Phase 2 construction is expected to reach completion in spring 2027.
Further reading
For more on large-scale infrastructure developments, see our coverage of Construction.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Dallas Morning News.
Live Poll
Do you feel local road construction projects provide enough benefit to justify recurring traffic closures?
