TxDOT tells Carrollton council Phase 2 of I‑35E will add lanes, move major traffic switches in September and aim for year‑end substantial completion

TxDOT project staff and the contractor briefed the Carrollton City Council on June 23 about progress and upcoming traffic phasing on the I‑35E Phase 2 reconstruction that runs roughly 6.4 miles between I‑635 and the project’s north limit.

Sri Aladu, the TxDOT project manager, said crews are rebuilding general‑purpose lanes—adding one lane in each direction—reconstructing the managed toll lanes and adding shoulders. The project includes bridge work, retaining walls, paving, new signage and intersection improvements. “We are almost completed all the major crossings,” Aladu said, adding that crews are finishing work at several interchanges and continuing paving and drainage work.

Travis Krailey, the contractor, described recent ramp sequencing at Dickerson and said the team used alternating ramp closures to speed work while minimizing impacts. “We had 40‑day commitments to get each of those ramps and connections to Dickerson opening, and we met those,” Krailey said, noting success with planned closures and traffic switches.

TxDOT outlined a near‑term plan to move the northbound general‑purpose lanes onto their permanent alignment from BeltLine to the north limit as an early‑September traffic switch. That movement, officials said, will enable crews to enter the final phase of work, including installing overhead guide signage and closing remaining gaps in concrete barriers.

On the overall schedule, TxDOT told council the project is targeting substantial completion—the point at which full capacity (four general‑purpose lanes in each direction) is available—by the end of the year (December–January). Final acceptance, including completion of frontage roads, intersection treatments, lighting, pavers and the downtown parking lot reconfiguration, is planned for next summer. "Substantial completion means we've achieved the additional capacity and we can achieve beneficial use of the facility," the contractor said.

Council members pressed for details about local impacts. TxDOT confirmed the Frankfurt exit will remain and described accommodations to preserve truck radii where property access is affected. Officials acknowledged supply‑chain delays for decorative metal railings and said some temporary closures will remain until materials arrive and are installed. They also warned that frontage‑road work affecting local traffic and parking will continue for months beyond mainline substantial completion.

Council raised worker safety and pedestrian concerns. The contractor said the summer has seen some heat‑exposure incidents among subcontractor crews and that night work is being used to reduce daytime exposure. TxDOT also said it had not identified pedestrian incidents but was reviewing approaches where shoulders and clearances are tight.

The presentation included renderings of lane alignments and photos of recent bridge and ramp work. Council members and staff asked TxDOT to bring more detailed exhibits and a master layout for Council reference; the mayor asked staff to circulate exhibits on the shared drive to councilors.

The council did not take any formal action on the presentation; TxDOT will return with additional project materials and updates as the September traffic switches approach.