Photo courtesy of Kathy Stewart.
After six years of construction, the Interstate 635 East Project is complete.
On Monday, Sept. 14, City of Dallas officials, including District 10 Council Member Kathy Stewart, attended the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 635 East Project.
The $1.7 billion project widened and reconstructed 11 miles of I-635 from U.S. Highway 75 to Interstate 30. The interstate now has a total of 12 lanes and can accommodate more than 230,000 motorists daily, according to TxDOT. An additional managed lane was also added in each direction.
The project marked the completion of a three-phase, multidecade effort to improve the I-635 corridor. Phase one, which spanned from U.S. Highway 80 to I-30, was completed in the early 2000s. Construction of the LBJ TEXpress Lanes, which made up phase two, was completed in 2015.
Photo courtesy of Kathy Stewart.
Stewart recently highlighted the role of District 10s LBJ NOW Initiative in advocating for the 635 East Project and helping push the project toward construction.
“It is gratifying to see that advocacy has become a completed project. 635 East is an example of what can happen when residents, community leaders and our transportation partners stay engaged and work together over many years,” Stewart said.
The District 10 LBJ NOW Initiative was created to advocate for improvements to the I-635 corridor, including the eastern portion of the highway that serves Lake Highlands and surrounding communities.
The project also included the reconstruction of the Skillman Street Bridge that gives pedestrians, bicyclists and commuters an easier daily commute.
The 635 East Project is part of the bigger statewide Texas clear lanes initiative to help improve mobility and reduce lane congestion.
