Commuters traveling between Fort Worth and Denton are experiencing severe congestion on the southernmost segment of Interstate 35W in Denton County. The seven-mile stretch between Texas 114 and Old Justin Road lacks frontage roads, meaning that any collision on the main highway forces drivers to wait until the scene is cleared before traffic can resume.
Data from January 2024 through June 2026 shows an average of nine accidents per month on this corridor, with the frequency increasing as North Texas population grows. In May alone, twelve crashes were recorded. The absence of auxiliary lanes leaves motorists trapped during these incidents.
The Texas Department of Transportation holds the authority to resolve the issue. A project to widen existing frontage roads is scheduled to start in September 2028, while a separate initiative to create new frontage roads has no defined start date. These improvements are estimated to cost $481 million.
Northlake Mayor Brian Montini stated that these projects were originally intended to be completed years ago but were stalled because funding never materialized. He expressed frustration over relaying updated timelines to residents, noting that some locals have accused him of failing in his duties.
Montini described the pace of progress as comparable to moving a glacier and said he has urged representatives to reallocate funds to the area.
Tila Grant, a TxDOT spokesperson, explained that project schedules depend on funding availability, environmental reviews, and stakeholder coordination. She emphasized that the agency aims to provide a safe transportation system and reduce congestion across the state, identifying the I-35W corridor as critical for meeting current and future demands.
Denton County Commissioner Dianna Edmondson highlighted rapid population growth, noting that 90 people move to the county daily. She acknowledged that small towns in southern Denton County anticipate tens of thousands of new homes, with approximately 20,000 planned from FM 1171 in Flower Mound to Denton. Edmondson said the county can only offer temporary fixes until TxDOT delivers on its promises.
