Loop 9 Transportation Study

Project Overview

SH 121 Denton County. Example of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) System

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to be completed through this process, is a general updating of the original 1995-1997 Loop 9 Feasibility and Route Alignment Study. This update will reflect the following:

• New Regional Transportation Plan (Mobility 2030)
• Revised Regional and Local Thoroughfare Plans
• Demographic and Travel Forecasts for 2030
• New Cost Data
• Study of new and revised alternative alignments
• New federal mandates for environmental impact assessment.

The purpose of this DEIS study is to conduct a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of surface transportation needs and alternatives within the Loop 9 Corridor, which runs from IH 20 in Mesquite to US 287 in Ellis County. As stated on the project history page, the need for an "Outer Loop" around the Dallas Metro area was first identified in the Greater Dallas Planning Council's 1964 report, Dallas County Development and Outer Loop Highway Needs.

This study, amongst others, cited the need for a freeway to facilitate east-west movements in southern Dallas County as well as enhance economic and sustainable growth in the corridor. The needs previously identified have become even greater with the continued economic development in and near the study corridor, such as residential and commercial development and inter modal freight facilities. Demand on the existing transportation infrastructure continues to rise accordingly with additional development. This DEIS study is expected to identify a locally preferred alignment to complete the southern portion of this outer loop whose northern sector is known as President George Bush Turnpike (SH 190).

Map of Proposed Alignments (click to enlarge)

Detailed alternative alignments with 2005 aerials