US 380 from CR 560 to CR 699 (Hunt County Line) in Farmersville area

CSJ 0135-05-028, 0135-04-038, 0135-17-002

Project Description

TxDOT is undertaking schematic design, an in-depth environmental study, and public involvement for improvement of US 380 from CR 560 to CR 699 (Hunt County Line) in Collin County. The project length is approximately 8.5 miles. The project provides for development of a freeway facility located to the south of the city of Farmersville. The existing US 380 would remain. The project area is shown below.

The purpose of the project is improve mobility, to provide a facility that will accommodate future traffic demand, and to comply with current roadway design standards. The project is needed to meet future increase in traffic demands stemming from projected population growth, and because the existing facility does not meet current design standards.

The project will build on TxDOT’s US 380 Collin County Feasibility Study that was conducted from 2017-2020. Feasibility Study information can be viewed here. TxDOT will continue to consider its recommended feasibility study alignment (or changes to the alignment), and a no-build alternative. Although the feasibility study alignment was the starting point for this current study, changes to the alignment may be necessary to provide the optimal schematic design and/or to avoid environmental constraints. Please refer to the latest public meeting website (link below) for the most recent version of the proposed alignment.

The project adheres to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The level of documentation identified is an Environmental Assessment (EA) which will assess alternatives and identify impacts of the proposed project on the environment.

Why is this Study Being Done?

TxDOT’s schematic and environmental study on US 380 from CR 560 to CR 699 (Hunt County Line) in Farmersville area is the next step of the department’s Collin County Feasibility Study, which was conducted from 2017-2020 and was the very first step in the development of this project. The purpose of a feasibility study is to determine whether a project should proceed for further study and development, and to develop potential alignments. Feasibility Studies are conducted when the project may involve a major fund investment, a transportation solution is unknown, a major environmental concern is present, or a consensus of the general public and property owners along a route has not been developed. A Feasibility Study is meant to provide a high-level view of a potential project. Although TxDOT recommended a single alignment at the conclusion of the Feasibility Study, there were some other alternatives that are also reasonable, and those alternatives require consideration during the environmental review (NEPA) phase of the project, including alternatives that were eliminated during the Feasibility Study. Because this phase of the project involves a more detailed evaluation and collection of new information, it is possible that data being gathered could change previously studied alignments or lead TxDOT to consider new alternatives.

A feasibility study covers the following areas:

The purpose of, and need for, a project;
Conformance with the Texas Transportation Plan;
Description of the limits of the study area;
Social (e.g., a demographic profile), economic, and environmental features;
Level of community support;
Cost effectiveness;
Infrastructure safety issues;
Preliminary Level of Service analysis;
Comparison of different routes, or corridors, and design alternatives;
Analysis of existing transportation systems in the study area; and
Alignment recommendations.

During the Feasibility Study, TxDOT used preliminary and available data to identify the location of its Recommended Alignment. Feasibility Study data included initial traffic and travel demand analysis as well as information from existing environmental databases. Field investigations and detailed analyses were not conducted at this step, which is the normal procedure for feasibility studies.

In May 2019 TxDOT announced its Feasibility Study Recommended Alignment to identify a general location for a possible freeway so that it could be considered for future growth and development plans. Because of existing and new homes and businesses, parks, cemeteries, utilities, and other environmental resources in the project vicinity, the list of project constraints and areas TxDOT needs to avoid is growing and the available land for a future freeway is becoming more and more limited.

Now that the Feasibility Study is complete, the project is progressing to the development of a schematic design and environmental study. While the feasibility study was a high-level look at the project, schematic design and environmental study allows us to view the project “on the ground.” TxDOT is required to adhere to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process which includes the development of an Environmental Assessment (EA). Adhering to NEPA is required on any project that would receive any federal funding. During this phase of project development, the federal governmental requires TxDOT to gather additional and more specific data to more fully develop and evaluate reasonable alternatives to determine if they should be moved forward for further study or be eliminated. TxDOT is required to complete more in-depth traffic and travel demand analysis, and to complete an environmental study which includes in-person field assessments and surveys in areas where landowners have agreed to allow access. The purpose of the assessments is to determine locations of resources such as wetlands, floodplains, and culturally sensitive areas.

During this process, TxDOT will develop the schematic design which means that the following tasks must be completed:

Determine number of lanes;
Develop ramp location and interchange configurations;
Determining the amount of land (also called right-of way) needed to construct the project;
Complete drainage design;
Consider bicycle and pedestrian accommodations; and
Calculate more detailed cost estimates.

Included in EA development is a federally required evaluation of potential environmental impacts. This includes impacts to air quality, archeological resources, biological resources, community impacts, hazardous materials, historic resources, protected lands (parks), traffic noise, and water resources, among other considerations. This is the phase of project development where TxDOT will be able to determine if noise walls are feasible and where they could be placed. TxDOT is also required to complete more public involvement and coordination with resources agencies, municipalities, and major utility providers.

This detailed evaluation will ultimately help TxDOT make the most informed decision about the final, Preferred Alternative at the end of the of the EA process. After the EA is complete, the final, Preferred Alternative will move forward to detailed design and then to construction.

Project Schedule

Fall 2020 – Schematic Design and Environmental Study began. Feasible alternatives evaluated.
January 28, 2021 – Virtual Public Meeting held.
February 2021-Fall 2022 – Refine design and further develop schematic.
April 28, 2022 – In-Person and Virtual Public Meeting held.
Fall 2021-Fall 2022 – Further development and approval of schematic. Environmental studies take place.
March 2023 –Public Hearing.
(Anticipated and subject to change) Summer 2023 –Environmental Clearance.
(Anticipated and subject to change) Fall 2027 –Project Let Date

How to Get Involved

TxDOT held a Virtual Public Meeting for this project on January 28, 2021.

Meeting summary

TxDOT held an In-Person and Virtual Public Meeting for this project on April 28, 2022.

Meeting summary

TxDOT held a Virtual Public Hearing from March 2 to April 7, 2023 and an In-Person Public Hearing on March 20, 2023.

The Final EA and Final Schematics can be viewed at www.keepitmovingdallas.com/US380Farmersville.

Project Contact

For questions or comments, please contact the TxDOT Project Manager:

Liang Ding, P.E.
[email protected]
(214) 320-6625