COLLIN COUNTY, Texas — The North Texas Tollway Authority approved a six-mile extension to the Dallas North Tollway in Collin County on Wednesday.
The expansion includes six lanes -- three in either direction -- through Prosper and Celina.
"It's certainly one of the fastest growing areas in the country," said Michael Rey, media relations manager for NTTA. "So it is time to extend the Dallas North Tollway."
The six-mile "Phase 4A" of construction is scheduled to begin in the spring, extending the highway from U.S. 380 to FM Road 428.
The future "Phase 4B" of the tollway, which will be 7.7 miles long, will extend from FM 428 to the Grayson County line.
“We are excited to expand the DNT, a backbone of North Texas, to provide travel options to new communities,” NTTA Assistant Executive Director of Infrastructure Elizabeth Mow said in a press release. “History has shown, where NTTA roads go, economic development and prosperity soon follow.”
Records show the project slated for spring will cost $183 million.
While the NTTA is funding the project, it said there is still a cost to eventually use the road. Drivers may also find themselves needing patience while the project is underway.
"Entering and exiting [the area] may be affected at time," Rey said. "It's almost impossible to do construction without some type of effect to traffic."