DALLAS COUNTY, Texas — Plans to update the use of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes may make your drive between Collin and Dallas County a lot easier.
It’s a project WFAA told about last year in what organizers are calling new "technology lanes.”
Work has officially kicked off to make the $58.8 million project a reality.
According to TxDOT Dallas, the project was awarded to Webber, LLC to improve the mobility and use of US 75 HOV lanes in Collin and Dallas counties.
Drivers can expect closures on the north and southbound sides of 75 Central Expressway in the HOV lanes from the President Bush Turnpike to Sam Rayburn Tollway.
The good news is, according to an email WFAA received from TxDOT Dallas, roadwork will only take place during the overnight hours, kicking off at 9pm until 5am weeknights during the construction period.
According to Duncan Webb, Collin County commissioner and chair of the Regional Transportation Council, the project was funded more than 2 years ago.
He says overall, they noticed the HOV lanes weren’t being used enough, so the lanes between LBJ and Allen will be converted to a one-of-a-kind lane called the "technology lane."
The technology lanes may be the answer to congestion, under-utilization, and an exploding electric and low emission vehicle market.
Once completed, the new technology lanes will be general-purpose lanes for all vehicles, except during peak hours in peak directions. During that time, the lanes will be for high-occupancy vehicles, low emission and electric vehicles.
This means Central Expressway will go from four general purpose lanes to five lanes except for between 7am and 9 a.m., and between 4pm and 6 p.m.
The hope is by creating more access to the additional lanes, it’ll help relieve some of the congestion experienced during those peak travel periods.
The expected completion date is late 2026.
NOTE: The following video was uploaded in Feb. 2023
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