NEPA stands for the National Environmental Policy Act. It is a federal law that outlines the process Federal agencies must follow to determine the impacts of their actions on the human and natural environment. The NEPA process is followed for projects that will use Federal funding or require Federal approval, including transportation projects. For this project NEPA requires Denton County, as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process, to evaluate all viable alternatives and disclose the impacts of the alternatives considered.

An EIS is a detailed document that provides a rigorous review of the potential impacts of a proposed project or action on the surrounding environment. The preparation of an EIS follows a structured process from project initiation, through scoping, documentation, and the issuance of an environmental decision in the form of a Record of Decision (ROD). This process typically takes two years to complete.

During the EIS, the study team will conduct desktop studies in which they will reference existing environmental databases. The team will also conduct field studies for certain resources and detailed modeling for air quality and traffic noise. An EIS is warranted when the proposed project or action is anticipated to have significant impacts on the human and natural environment, which would require the consideration of minimization, where practicable, and mitigation to offset unavoidable impacts. The NEPA process and development of an EIS require extensive public involvement.

Denton County has partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to initiate an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to construct a six-lane freeway primarily on new location connecting I-35 in Denton County, Texas with the Dallas North Tollway in Collin County, Texas. Denton County is also coordinating with local governments and other agencies such as the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Historic Commission (THC), to help ensure a regional approach to transportation planning.

By leading the schematic design and environmental study, Denton County will be able to better respond to local concerns and sensitive issues.

The Denton County Outer Loop is in the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study phase of project development. The current study began in the fall of 2022 and is expected to last three to four years. In early 2024, Denton County and TxDOT completed the Feasibility phase of the Denton County Outer Loop Study and transitioned into the EIS phase. This phase of the project is a more in-depth study than what was previously done and will build on information collected during the feasibility phase in accordance with the NEPA process.

Each of the alternatives under consideration are made up of a combination of “build” segments A, B, C, D or E, primarily on new location. Segment B has one variation, noted as B2, that is also being considered. Together, the segments can be combined into four end-to-end build alternatives that provide a contiguous freeway connecting I-35 on the west and the Dallas North Tollway on the east. These include:

• The Red Alternative, consisting of segments A, C and D.
• The Blue Alternative, consisting of segments B, C, and E.
• The Purple Alternative, consisting of segments A, C and E.
• The Gold Alternative, consisting of segments B, C and D.

You can view each of the Build Alternatives here: Range of Alternatives.

No decisions have been made for the final alignment for this roadway. The development of the EIS will include the design and evaluation of four Build Alternatives and a No Build Alternative. A preferred alternative will be determined at the end of the NEPA process in 2026.

Previous planning documents have included the Denton County Outer Loop, but the routes shown on maps were for visioning purposes only. This study examined a universe of possible alignments for the roadway to identify the reasonable Build Alternatives, which will now undergo an extensive evaluation process that includes public input.

We anticipate announcing the Preferred Alternative in Spring/Summer 2026. A public hearing will be held and then a Record of Decision will be filed in late Summer 2026.

A schematic is a layout that includes the basic information necessary for proper review and evaluation of a proposed roadway improvement. Among other items, a schematic includes:

• Project location and limits.
• Traffic volumes, both existing and projected.
• Proposed main lanes, ramps, frontage roads, bridges, and cross streets.
• Horizontal and vertical alignments with curves, elevations, grades, and vertical clearances.
• Existing and proposed bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

The study team, guided by Denton County in partnership with TxDOT, is following the federally regulated EIS process as outlined in NEPA to evaluate potential environmental impacts and develop the schematic design. An extensive evaluation matrix has been developed and input from the public and local cities will be considered heavily. This process will point us to the technically and locally preferred alternative that best meets the purpose and need of the study while minimizing potential impacts.

Making the Denton County Outer Loop a reality will take time. Following issuance of the environmental decision (as a Record of Decision), the County may move forward with final design and development of detailed construction plans, cost estimates, and the acquisition of right of way. Utility coordination will occur throughout the schematic and final design, with utility relocations, where needed, occurring prior to the start of roadway construction. Final design and right-of-way acquisition could take several more years before construction could begin.

Construction would be phased over time. For example, frontage roads may be built first, and then the main lanes of a freeway over time as demand increases. Construction cannot begin until full funding is secured. Construction funding for this project has not been identified.

Multiple studies have been conducted to determine the need and feasibility of the Denton County Outer Loop. Now this study is needed to develop a schematic design, identify the Preferred Alternative, and develop the Environmental Impact Statement to environmentally clear the project.

Denton County has hosted four public meetings throughout the study process where residents have been able to view study progress and provide input. A final public hearing will be held in Spring 2026.

Public input is critical to this project and has and will continue to be used to help identify constraints and concerns in the study area. Comments from the public will also be considered as modifications continue to be made to the alternatives under consideration.

Additionally, the study team will continue to meet with stakeholders in the study area including local governments, neighborhood groups, property owners, and other interested parties.

These projects are all separate projects from this study, which is focused on evaluating options for the Denton County Outer Loop. A list of adjacent or planned projects in the study area can be found on the Fall 2024 Public Scoping Meeting exhibit boards at www.DentonCountyOuterLoop.com.

Yes, the study team is tracking future developments as part of this project. These include locations of future homes, businesses, schools and open space. Denton County will continue to coordinate with local governments and developers to gather information on project status, potential costs, and planning/permit process timelines. A development heat map, showing the latest development data as of August 31, 2025, is available for review on the interactive map on the website at www.DentonCountyOuterLoop.com.

The logical termini for the Denton County Outer Loop have been identified as I-35 on the west and the Dallas North Tollway to the east.