Collin County Advances Study for Northeast Freeway to Ease Congestion

Collin County officials moved forward on December 11 with a long range planning effort to study a roughly 10 mile grade separated Northeast Freeway intended to address mounting traffic pressures in the northern portion of the county. The county has retained LJA Engineering to lead preliminary design and environmental work. The study began in mid 2025 and is scheduled to run for two years.

The study will include traffic and safety analyses, environmental review, and consideration of transit, bicycle and pedestrian needs. No alignment has been selected. Officials said a preferred alignment is expected in spring or summer 2026 after a series of public meetings and a formal public hearing. The county is coordinating the effort with local governments and with regional and state agencies including the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Texas Department of Transportation.

County leaders emphasized that tolling is not being considered and that construction funding has not been identified. Any eventual build would likely proceed in phases, officials said, leaving fiscal choices and land acquisition decisions for future county elected officials and partner agencies. Those choices could include budget reallocations, intergovernmental funding agreements, and potential voter actions if local revenues or bonds are required to advance construction.

Public engagement moved forward with a virtual meeting launched December 11 that will remain available through January 12, 2026, and an in person open house held December 11 at Princeton High School to gather public comment. The meeting materials and a signup for project updates are available on the project website. Residents who use local roads, own property near planned corridors, or rely on transit and active transportation will see direct impacts from alignment choices, design decisions and later construction staging.

This study marks a significant planning milestone in a county that has been among the fastest growing in the state. The process will shape traffic patterns, development pressures and public spending for years to come. Collin County officials will present findings to the public as the study advances, and community participation during the current comment window will help shape the preferred alignment and mitigation priorities.