Welcome everyone to the virtual groundbreaking for the 1.7 billion dollar 635 East project. 

In five short years, the Dallas District of TxDOT and our partners will transform this 11-mile corridor to improve safety, mobility and travel times for hundreds of thousands of residents.  

The significance of this project is huge.

Not only was I-635 East identified by the legislature as one of the most important projects in the state, but they also gave us the tools and funding to make it happen. 

And special thanks goes to Chairman Bruce Bugg and all the members of the Texas Transportation Commission for spearheading the Texas Clear Lanes initiative to address congestion in the state's five major metropolitan areas. 

The Dallas district has a lot of work to do thanks to the Texas Clear Lanes initiative and we will rise to the occasion. 

I stand here today as a testament to the hard work and collaboration across the region that move this project across the goal line. 

This project has relied upon the cooperation and commitment of our partners in Dallas government and Mesquite within Dallas county, and at the Regional Transportation Council.  

Without their support this  project would not have happened.  

I am so happy to help kick off this project as your District Engineer. 

Without a doubt we will all have to work together as one team to deliver this project on time and within budget. 

Now let me say a few words about  my wonderful team at the Dallas District.  

This project has been in various forms of planning for almost two decades.

It is my honor and privilege to represent the men and women of the  Dallas district today to commemorate this effort.  

Thank you to all TxDOT staff past and present who worked hard for many days weeks, months and years to help make this project happen. 

This project will feature more general purpose lanes and for the first time, continuous frontage roads that will provide an extra level of reliability during major incidents on I-635 East. 

We all know  what can happen.

Traffic gets tied up with nowhere to go.

With those new frontage roads, motorists will have more options and hopefully less delays in getting around incidents and getting home to their loved ones. 

Our mission at TxDOT is connecting you with Texas. 

My team knows the benefits that will come with the completion of this project.

We are laser focused on working with the contractor, Pegasus Link Constructors, to get this design project finished, on time and on budget.  

Finally, let me encourage everyone to think about safety while driving on I-635 east or anywhere else in our great state. 

We are breaking ground virtually today, but let me assure you the dirt is already flying on this project. 

We are committed to keeping traffic moving during construction, but it takes all of us thinking about and being committed to driving safely. 

Please avoid  distractions and watch out for construction crews while driving through the work zone. 

Thanks to everyone who has supported this project and I will see you back here in 2024 when we celebrate the completion of such a significant project.