The Denton Public Utility Board on Oct. 13 approved a utility relocation and betterment agreement tied to TxDOT’s I‑35 widening north of Loop 288, which staff said will consolidate two older lift stations into a new regional facility at Ganzer Road.

Aaron Skinner, senior project manager, and David Brown, water utilities project manager, explained the project covers utility relocations along both sides of I‑35 north of Loop 288 nearly to Sanger and includes construction of a regional lift station at Ganzer Road (referred to in the presentation as the Milam Lift Station). Brown said the work removes two existing lift stations (near the TA truck stop and at Bartow Road), installs a larger gravity main along I‑35 where feasible and routes flows initially to the Pecan Creek interceptor until the future Clear Creek interceptor is constructed.

Why it matters: The consolidation from two smaller lift stations to a single regional station reduces maintenance burden and provides capacity to serve nearby new residential development. Board members pressed staff for clearer maps and accurate slides after an incorrect photo appeared in the agenda packet; staff paused the presentation to display the project area and confirmed facility locations on a live map.

Brown described the design approach: use a larger gravity line where topography allows to minimize lift station reliance, place the regional lift station near Ganzer Road to collect flows from new development, and run an interim force main to the Pecan Creek interceptor until the Clear Creek interceptor is completed. He said once the Clear Creek interceptor exists, the lift station can pump into that facility.

Board members asked whether the reimbursement numbers shown in the presentation applied to the Ganzer-to-truck‑stop segment and whether those costs covered the Clear Creek line; staff clarified the $6 million reimbursement figure on the slide pertains to the current relocation work and is not funding the future Clear Creek interceptor. One member asked staff to provide clearer visual material for future agenda packets; several members said a simple map showing current facilities, proposed alignments and what will be removed would be helpful.

The board moved, seconded and voted to approve the consent item for the I‑35 relocation project; the motion passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance: motion to approve the I‑35 utility relocation and associated agreements passed unanimously (vote recorded without individual roll-call names).