I-35/US 380 Interim Safety Improvements (TxDOT Project)

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) plans for the new northbound Interstate 35 (IH-35) entrance ramp at US Highway 380 to open ahead of schedule, at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22 in Denton County. The original planned completion date was set for early 2022.

Motorists should expect delays and anticipate various closures on the main lanes of IH-35 from 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21 until the ramp opens Wednesday morning.

TxDOT began construction on the ramp improvement project in September, to reverse the northbound entrance and exit ramps and add lane capacity to address increased traffic in the area.

Message boards have been placed to alert drivers of the upcoming work. TxDOT is urging motorists to use caution in the work zone. Visit www.DriveTexas.org for the latest road closures on this project and others.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is scheduled to begin construction this month on I-35 interim improvements that will serve as a temporary safety solution for the I-35 and US 380 interchange. TxDOT will reconstruct the current entrance ramp north of Oak Street to serve as the exit ramp, and the current exit ramp to US 380 will be reconstructed as an entrance ramp. Reversing the ramps will increase safety and mobility by eliminating queueing on the main lanes from exiting traffic.

Updates on the temporary traffic impacts and lane closures that motorists can expect will be shared as they are finalized by TxDOT before construction is scheduled to begin. Construction is expected to be complete by early 2022, weather permitting. Message boards and signage will be in place to alert drivers of the upcoming construction activities. The long term-safety solution for the increased traffic in this area will be part of the I-35 Widening Project, which is anticipated to be under construction between mid-2022 and early calendar year 2023.

TxDOT reminds motorists to use caution when traveling in the area and adhere to all posted construction signage. Visit www.DriveTexas.org for the latest road closures on this project and other TxDOT projects.

To sign up to receive future project updates enter your email address under the "Stay Informed" section of this project page. As TxDOT communicates updates of expected temporary traffic impacts, lane closures, or project changes, these updates will be directly shared with interested residents and business owners that opt-in to receive email updates for the project.

TxDOT is set to initiate construction on interim safety improvements on the I-35 ramp to US 380 in July 2021 and those will be completed by January 2022. TxDOT has identified the need for a substantial long-term solution to safely accommodate the increased traffic volume. This long-term solution will be part of the I-35 Widening Project, which is anticipated to be under construction between mid-2022 and early calendar year 2023. The proposed interim safety solution is to switch the existing entry and exit ramps. The current layout has an entrance ramp north of Oak St. This entrance ramp will be reconstructed to serve as the exit ramp to allow drivers to exit the highway with an ample distance to the intersection with Highway 380. Additionally, the current exit ramp to Highway 380 will be reconstructed to be an entrance ramp, meaning drivers will longer be able to exit from this location. Together, these improvements eliminate the safety concerns with the current exit ramp’s close proximity to the intersection with Highway 380.

TxDOT expects construction to begin for the interim solution in the fall of 2021 and is currently working on the final design. After the interim ramp is in place, City staff will adjust the traffic light timing as needed to improve traffic flow.

As noted in the graphic, there will be entrance and exit ramp switches to address the backing up of traffic that occurs in this area. The current entrance ramp north of Oak Street will be reconstructed to serve as the exit ramp, allowing drivers to exit the highway with ample distance to the US 380 intersection. Additionally, the current exit ramp to US 380 will be reconstructed to be an entrance ramp.