BY RITA COOK / Freelance Writer
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ELLIS COUNTY – If you’ve been shaking your head at all the roadwork around Ellis County, you aren’t the only one noticing.
The big standout is the northbound and southbound road construction on the service roads of I-35 in Red Oak.
Other long-term projects include construction of frontage roads on US 287 and widening projects for Loop 9, FM 1387, and FM 663 in various design and planning phases that will continue into 2026 and beyond.
ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AND REHABILITATION
US 287: Pavement repair and overlay improvements from Walnut Grove Rd to Business 287R (expected completion Nov 2025) and base repair/mill and inlay between Johnson County line and Business 287Q (expected completion May 2026).
SH 34: Pavement repair and overlay from I-35E to I-45G (expected completion Oct. 2025).
I-35E: Mill and overlay project from US 77 S to FM 664 (expected completion May 2026).
FM 2258: Pavement restoration and shoulder addition from the Johnson County line to FM 157 (expected completion Feb. 2026).
SS 73: Rehabilitation project from I-35E to FM 877, with construction starting Jan 2026.
I-45 and SH 34 (Ennis Ave): Intersection improvements with added turn lanes, with construction starting August 2025.
LONG-TERM AND FUTURE PROJECTS
Loop 9: Construction of frontage roads is in the design phase. Initial work will include a two-lane frontage road between Hampton Rd and I-35E, with potential expansion to a six-lane system later as traffic warrants.
US 287: A planned interchange at Lake Ridge Parkway is in the design stage, with an expected completion of March 2026. Also, a project to construct frontage roads and remove crossovers is underway.
FM 1387: Reconstruction and widening from Midlothian Pkwy to Longbranch/Bryson Ln is in the design phase, with an estimated cost of $90 million.
FM 663: A project to widen the roadway from FM 875 to US 287 is planned, with public comment periods having closed in May 2025.
FM 879: Pavement restoration and shoulder addition from I-45 to FM 813, with an expected completion of January 2027.
