I saw this great article in Collin County Commissioner, Joe Jaynes', "The County Line" e-mail newsletter (back on Aug. 4, 2009). Good info. about 75/Central for all Collin County Residents. It may just be my imagination, but I think some part of this highway been under major contruction for the past 25 years or so (at least, as far back as I can remember). Guess that's the price of growth and progress...
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Update on U.S. 75
By Joe Jaynes, Collin County Commissioner

Almost everyone in Collin County lives within 30 miles of U.S. 75, a road that could be considered the spinal cord of Collin County's north-south mobility. Next year's expansion of U.S. 75 to eight main lanes and two three-lane service roads will affect the daily commutes of thousands. Quite frankly, that commute will get worse before it gets better - but better it will get.

The good news is that the funding for the much needed expansion is in place, and after engineering and environmental studies are completed, the project will be ready to go.  Below is a breakdown of segments of U.S. 75 and when they are scheduled to be let, or awarded for construction. Please keep in mind that once a project is let it usually takes another 90 days before dirt begins moving. Also, all the projects below have a two to three-year time period for completion.

- U.S. 75 from Legacy to S.H. 121: This segment is scheduled to let in fall 2012 and be completed by fall 2014.
- U.S. 75 at S.H. 121 Interchange: Already under construction, this new four-level interchange will be open to traffic by spring 2011 and fully completed by the following spring.
- U.S. 75 from S.H. 121 to U.S. 380: This segment goes right through the heart of McKinney, and is scheduled to let in late 2010 with a scheduled completion in spring 2014.
- U.S. 75 at US 380 intersection: One of the most congested intersections in Collin County, this project is already underway and scheduled to be completed by fall 2010.
- U.S. 75 at Wilmeth: This segment will go through some major change as U.S. 75 will be constructed over Wilmeth with an exit added at Bloomdale Road. This segment will let next spring with completion scheduled for fall 2011.
- U.S. 75 from Bloomdale Road to Telephone Road: This segment will let in spring 2011, with construction scheduled to be complete by summer 2013.
- U.S. 75 from Telephone Road to Melissa Road: This project includes a new interchange at U.S. 75 and S.H. 121 in Melissa. The project will be let in spring 2012 and is scheduled to be completed by fall 2014.
- U.S. 75 from Melissa Road to Foster's Crossing (the Outer Loop): The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) would like to schedule this to begin in spring 2013, but we need to see how far we are on both the Outer Loop and how the schematic will look for the interchange at the Outer Loop and U.S. 75.
- U.S. 75 from the Outer Loop to Grayson County: At this point, there is only funding for engineering. Hopefully, two legislative sessions will have passed by the time we need to move dirt on this project and new construction dollars will be allocated.

Even though U.S. 75 is a TxDOT project, the majority of the funding for these project segments came from the S.H. 121 Regional Toll Revenues. The North Texas Tollway Authority paid the region $3.2 billion for the right to toll S.H. 121 for the next 50 years.

Of this $3.2 billion, $1.5 billion came to Collin County. Out of the $1.5 billion, $600 million of this money went to the construction of the S.H. 121 main lanes, which is moving forward aggressively now. Another $600 million is being put into U.S. 75, with the remaining funds upgrading other major thoroughfares throughout the county. 

Overall, Collin County is very fortunate because, while the state is going through a major transportation funding crisis, we are still able to move forward with these important projects. I look forward to keeping you updated on this issue. Please feel free to comment on this issue and others at my blog at www.joejaynes.com.
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Thanks for the great article Commissioner Jaynes! I just hope the construction delays/headaches aren't too terrible.

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com