Denton County Outer Loop public scoping meeting

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Public comment deadline

Comments must be received on or before Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, to be part of the public meeting record.

In-person details

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Midway Church (Gymnasium)
9540 US 377
Pilot Point, TX 76258

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Denton Convention Center (Embassy Suites)
3100 Town Center Trail
Denton, TX 76201

Online details

Oct. 29 – Nov. 29, 2024*
www.DentonCountyOuterLoop.com
Materials posted Oct. 29 at 8 a.m. through Nov. 29, 2024.

* This is not a live event

Purpose

Denton County in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is initiating an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to construct a six-lane freeway primarily on new location connecting I-35 in Denton County, Texas with the Dallas North Tollway in Collin County, Texas.

Description

The Denton County Outer Loop study kicked off in late 2022 and is expected to be complete by Fall 2026. In early 2024, Denton County and TxDOT completed the Denton County Outer Loop Feasibility Study and transitioned into the EIS phase. This phase of the project is a more in-depth study than what was previously done and will build on information collected during the Feasibility Study in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

An EIS is prepared when it is anticipated that a proposed project could significantly affect the quality of the human and natural environment. There are three categories of analysis that TxDOT can complete as a part of NEPA, of which an EIS is the most rigorous. Adhering to NEPA is required on any project that would receive any federal funding.

In this EIS, Denton County and TxDOT will evaluate four build alternatives on a new location six-lane freeway in addition to the No-Build Alternative, that satisfy the purpose and need within the study area. Alternatives will be evaluated in consideration of input received from Federal, State, and local agencies as well as stakeholder groups and the public.

The draft Purpose and Need, exhibits illustrating the range of reasonable build alternatives, draft alternatives matrix indicating the methodology and level of detail for screening of the range of alternatives, the draft coordination plan and public involvement plan, and the anticipated schedule will be available online at www.DentonCountyOuterLoop.com.  

The purpose of the proposed action is to address population and travel demand growth and support safe and resilient east-west mobility and connectivity across Denton County. The need for the proposed action is driven by (a) rapid population growth and increasing traffic volumes that are contributing to congestion, (b) higher crash rates along Study Area roadways compared to the statewide average, and (c) limited mobility due to the lack of contiguous east-west arterials.

Ultimately, this study will allow Denton County to preserve the land needed for the corridor to protect it from future development. Transportation projects require years of advanced planning and development, which is why the county must plan now for the growth it expects in the next 30 years.

Visit www.DentonCountyOuterLoop.com to learn more and sign-up for email updates.

Accessibility

If you need interpretation or translation services or are a person with a disability who requires accommodation to attend and participate in the in-person or virtual public meeting options, please contact the project team at (737) 471-1672. Requests for accommodations should be made at least five days prior to the public meeting. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some services and accommodation may require time for Denton County to arrange.

Meeting Materials

Notice (English)
Notice (Spanish)
Venue Map (English)
Venue Map (Spanish)

How to make a comment

Written comments from the public regarding the proposed project are requested and may be submitted in one of the following ways:

All comments must be received on or before Friday, Nov. 29, 2024.

Memorandum of Understanding

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 9, 2019, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.