Denton County Outer Loop Study

Denton County is hosting a series of in-person and virtual public meetings to share updates about the project, including the detailed design schematics for the build alternatives under consideration and preliminary environmental impact findings, and gather feedback from the public. Materials presented will be the same at each public meeting, listed below:

Monday, Sept. 29, 2025
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Open House)
Denton Convention Center (Embassy Suites)
3100 Town Center Trail
Denton, TX 76201

Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Open House)
Midway Church (Gymnasium)
9540 US 377
Pilot Point, TX 76258

The in-person public meetings will follow an open house format where the public may come and go at their convenience. Staff will be available to answer questions and receive comments. The same prerecorded presentation will be playing on a screen at the in-person meeting and posted on the virtual public meeting website.

The Denton County Outer Loop study kicked off in late 2022 and is expected to be completed by Fall 2026. In early 2024, Denton County and TxDOT completed the Denton County Outer Loop Feasibility Study and transitioned into the EIS phase. This phase of the project is a more in-depth study than what was previously done and will build on information collected during the Feasibility Study in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

An EIS is prepared when it is anticipated that a proposed project could significantly affect the quality of the human and natural environment. There are three categories of analysis that TxDOT can complete as a part of NEPA, of which an EIS is the most rigorous. Adhering to NEPA is required on any project that would receive any federal funding.

In this EIS, Denton County and TxDOT are evaluating four build alternatives on a new location six-lane freeway, in addition to the No-Build Alternative, that satisfy the purpose and need within the study area. Alternatives are evaluated in consideration of input received from Federal, State, and local agencies as well as stakeholder groups and the public. The purpose of the proposed project is to address population and travel demand growth and support safe and resilient east-west mobility and connectivity across Denton County. The need for the proposed project is driven by (a) rapid population growth and increasing traffic volumes that are contributing to congestion, (b) higher crash rates along Study Area roadways compared to the statewide average, and (c) limited mobility due to the lack of contiguous east-west arterials.

This proposed project would, subject to final design considerations, require additional right of way and potentially displace residences and non-residential structures within the study area. The proposed project is also anticipated to impact the Elm Fork Bridge and Ray Roberts Lake State Park – Greenbelt Unit protected under Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 and Chapter 26 of the Parks and Wildlife Code. This proposed project would involve construction in wetlands and an action in a floodplain and floodway.

Ultimately, this study will allow Denton County to preserve the land needed for the corridor to protect it from future development. Transportation projects require years of advanced planning and development, which is why the county must plan now for the growth it expects in the next 30 years.

• Notice
• Aviso
• Venue map flyer
• Folleto del mapa del lugar

Written comments from the public regarding the proposed project are requested and may be submitted:

• In-person at one of the public meetings
• Online on the virtual public meeting website
• Mail:
  Burns & McDonnell,
  Attn: Denton County Outer Loop,
  13737 Noel Rd., Suite 700,
  Dallas, TX 75240
• Email: as shown in the notice

All comments must be received on or before Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.