I-35 Improvement Project in Cooke County

TxDOT is planning improvements for the widening of I-35 from FM 3002 in Cooke County, Texas to mile marker 1/Merle Wolfe Road in Love County, Oklahoma. Planned improvements include updating the roadway to current design standards and providing congestion relief for expected future traffic increases.

As part of the planning process, TxDOT is conducting an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed widening and realignment of I-35 from FM 3002 in Cooke County, TX, to mile marker 1/Merle Wolfe Road in Love County, OK. An EA is a report that documents the existing social, economic and environmental conditions, assesses effects of the proposed alternative and identifies potential mitigation. The EA will also evaluate the effects of a no-build alternative.

Project Information

The 22-mile project extending from FM 3002 to mile marker 3 in Oklahoma includes:

One additional lane in each direction (interim configuration)
Two additional lanes in each direction (ultimate configuration)
Realignment of portions of the roadway
Two new bridges over the Red River
Removal of the northbound Red River bridge
Conversion of the southbound Red River bridge to a frontage road
Conversion of two-way frontage roads to one way
New right of way

Get Involved

The most recent public meetings for this project occurred on Feb. 5, 2015, in Gainesville, Texas, and Sept. 30, 2015, in Thackerville, Oklahoma. Attendees were invited to review the purpose and need for the project, review evaluation and screening of alternatives, review a preliminary schematic of the Preferred Build Alternative and to provide input. As a result of input received at the public meetings, TxDOT revised the schematic to accommodate requests and lessen impacts.

TxDOT is working with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. to conduct the Environmental Assessment. A meeting to present to the public and collect comments on the proposed changes in the realignment of the BNSF rail line within the Valley View section as well as the proposed changes in access at 3rd Street in Valley View, Texas was held on Sept. 28, 2017. At that time TxDOT presented alternatives and collected comments on the rail alignment alternatives. In late 2019, the BNSF rail alignment option was removed in its entirety and is no longer being considered with this project. A public meeting was held in Valley View on Feb. 27, 2020 to present the modified schematic with the BNSF rail remaining in its current location.

Once the FHWA approves the Draft EA for public review, a public hearing will occur to solicit comments from the public. The virtual public hearing is being held on Sept. 15, 2020. A Final EA addressing all comments will be prepared with an expected Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Due to ongoing coordination efforts with cooperating agencies the expected completion of the EA is expected in calendar year 2020.

Next Steps

Updated newsletters will be published throughout the life of the project to keep the public informed of upcoming actions and activities.

Consider public comments
Finalize environmental analysis
Project decision from TxDOT/FHWA for the final approved Environmental Assessment
Complete final design
Continue right of way acquisition

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