County briefed Northlake council on FM 407 and 35W projects; utility relocations and right‑of‑way slow progress

John Polster of Innovative Transportation Solutions told the Town of Northlake council on July 24 that major county transportation projects affecting the town are advancing, but utility relocations and right‑of‑way timing have pushed schedules and increased costs. Polster described the selected 'red' alignment through Justin and said the county is progressing design and clearing work while negotiating with local jurisdictions and utility companies.

Polster said the county has been funding environmental clearance, design and early utility-relocation work where TxDOT lacked budget, and that a breakout project originally estimated at about $14 million has grown to roughly $40 million after scope changes and delays. "We are clearing it. We plan on having it done by June 2026," Polster said, referring to acquisition and clearing actions on a portion of the project.

He warned that utility providers are the critical path on several corridors. County staff and elected leaders, Polster said, are meeting monthly with state lawmakers and utility firms to press for coordination. On 35W the county has identified a frontage‑road package (funded with regional-local revenue) that would rebuild interchanges and add lanes; Polster called it a large, fully funded program in design and said the county is pursuing a TIP modification to treat some local funds as locally funded so state letting caps do not delay construction.

Polster described a sequence of projects and options: short-term "breakout" or interim resurfacing to relieve congestion, locally controlled signal and turn‑lane work (which moves faster because it does not need federal environmental clearance), and the longer-term ultimate widenings that require federal or state processes. He also said the county is prepared to step in with right‑of‑way purchases when state right‑of‑way budgets lapse so projects are ready when funding returns.

Council members asked for clarification on how residents can help and what the town can reasonably influence. Polster said monthly engagement with state representatives, frequent coordination with utilities, and local messaging to affected property owners have been the primary levers.

Next steps: staff and county representatives will continue design and coordination work; the council was advised that portions of some projects may reach construction- or letting-ready status in the late 2025–2028 window depending on utility clearance and state letting availability.