Road Construction

TxDOT takes first step in LBJ East project in North Dallas

Stretch of I-635 east of US 75 as of April 2020

I-635 east of 75 will look much different when the 635 East Project completes construction in late 2024.

The Texas Department of Transportation has begun initial construction on its 635 East Project, which will affect the section of I-635/LBJ between US 75 in North Dallas to I-30 in Mesquite.

The construction will widen the stretch from eight general purpose lanes and two High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)/Express Managed Toll Lanes to 10 general purpose lanes, at least four frontage road lanes, and two Managed Toll (TEXpress) Lanes. The section of I-635 will almost double in width by the time construction is complete, which is expected in late 2024.

The current HOV/Express Managed Toll Lanes between US 75 and I-30 will close as of Monday, April 27, and will remain closed until the completion of the project.

Construction will force the permanent closures of certain access points within the corridor, including the westbound entrance at Oates Drive, the westbound entrance at Jupiter Road, the westbound entrance at Skillman Street, and the eastbound entrance at TI Boulevard.

Drivers traveling eastbound on the LBJ TEXpress Lanes from I-35E to US 75 will be required to exit onto the main lanes after US 75.

Unlike the LBJ TEXpress Lanes west of US 75, which are sunken between the main lanes, the Managed Toll Lanes east of 75 will be on the same level as the main lanes, separated by concrete barriers and shoulders.

In total, approximately 11 miles of I-635 will be rebuilt, including the direct connectors (i.e. connection ramps) at the I-30/I-635 interchange. A virtual construction overview is available for view at 635east.com/view/resources-recursos, providing a summary of what to expect during construction.

Anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on construction progress, lane closures, and traffic changes can sign up for text alerts by sending the message “635 East” to 31996.

traffic transportation

E-Cigarette News

Dallas City Council places restrictions on vaping in public

Unsplash

Man vaping

Vaping will now be banned exactly like smoking, thanks to a new ordinance from the Dallas City Council.

At their December 11 meeting, the council passed an ordinance to ban vaping in all the same areas where smoking is not allowed. It'll go into effect on December 11, 2025 — giving everyone a year to get into compliance.

Proposed by City of Dallas Environmental Commission (EVC) and the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), the ordinance amends the definition of “smoking” in the Dallas City Code to include the use of vaping devices.

The ordinance does not ban vaping — it only bans where you can vape: no vaping in all indoor and enclosed spaces; within 15 feet of building entrances; and on park property. The ordinance also bans marijuana smoking in those same places.

In addition, the amendment requires restaurants, hotels, fitness centers and other businesses to update their signage to clearly state that both smoking and electronic smoking devices are prohibited.

The ordinance already earned widespread support from health organizations such as the Dallas County Health and Human Services, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association. These organizations, along with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Surgeon General, have all raised concerns about the health risks of direct and second-hand exposure to vaping aerosols, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and older adults.

Dallas is not the first city to impose such a ban: San Antonio enacted a similar ban in October. Theirs goes into effect on January 1, 2025.

politics