The road ahead: Here's a look at how Celina is preparing for the expansion of the Dallas North Tollway

Celina Record
By Audrey Henvey | Star Local Media
November 28, 2023

As Celina looks ahead to future growth, the city is taking steps to prepare infrastructure on the Dallas North Tollway corridor over the next few years.

During a November meeting, the Celina City Council unanimously approved an agreement amendment with the North Texas Tollway Authority to outline a plan for city-requested infrastructure in connection with the next phase of construction on the Dallas North Tollway project. Phase 4A of DNT construction entails extending the tollway main lanes from US 380 to FM 428. Design is currently underway on the mainlanes of that portion of the project.

The amendment approved by the city council relates to funding for infrastructure improvements that are the city’s responsibility as part of the NTTA project. According to the amendment documentation, the NTTA would provide funds for the design of the city-requested facilities while the city would provide funds for the construction.

Initial estimates for the construction of the projects in the amendment total about $10.2 million, with the agreement outlining $11 million in funding. Assistant City Manager Kim Brawner said the final total will be given once bid prices are provided.

Prior to the vote, Brawner gave council members a rundown of city-request projects and their relationship to the DNT project.

Here's a look at the details presented during the meeting: 

Frontier Parkway

Plans included widening the northbound and southbound frontage roads between Frontier Parkway and Light Farms Way, according to the presentation. Plans also include constructing one southbound to northbound U-turn at Frontier Parkway, as well as a widening of the underpass to its maximum capacity.

“Prosper will be paying for the other half of the roadway,” Brawner noted.

Light Farms Way

Plans include frontage road widening work on the northbound and southbound frontage roads at Light Farms Way, as well as the installations of both northbound and southbound U-turns at the intersection.

Plans also include the widening of the northbound and southbound approaches and a widening of the cross street.

Associated city projects at Light Farms Way include adjusting the roadway and installing a traffic signal, according to the presentation.

Punk Carter Parkway

Work at Punk Carter Parkway will include widening of the frontage roads in both directions and the installations of U-turns in both directions. The northbound and southbound approaches will also be widened, and the cross street is slated to be widened.

The installation of a traffic signal was also planned as part of an associated city project.

Outer Loop

Work at the outer loop includes the widening of the frontage roads in both directions as well as the installations of U-turns in both directions. Work also includes widening the northbound and southbound approaches and widening the cross street.

An associated city project comprises installing a temporary traffic signal at the intersection of the outer loop and the eastbound frontage road.

Associated county projects include the installation of a permanent traffic signal and construction of a second set of frontage roads of the Outer Loop, which is currently under design.

Glendenning Parkway (FM 428)

Plans for Glendenning Parkway include building out the intersection, Brawner said.

“Right now everybody has to swoop into one single approach, we’re going to build out the frontage road all the way to 428, eliminate the crossover that we have now and install traffic signals at that intersection,” Brawner said.

According to the city council presentation, work also includes the installation of one northbound to southbound U-turn.

Tollway timeline

A presented timeline estimated that construction on the tollway from US 380 to FM 428 is slated to begin in early 2024 and to be complete around May of 2027. The project would be separated into two parts, with Phase 4A taking place from US 380 to Frontier Parkway and Phase 4B stretching from Frontier Parkway to FM 428.

“It will be a long construction project, but it is a billion dollars worth of roadway that we are not paying for,” Brawner said.