Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 636
McKinney, TX  75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer Collin County 972-548-4772 lhornsby@co.collin.tx.us Dana Baird, Director of Communications City of Frisco 972-335-5555, Ext. 126 dbaird@friscotexas.gov

October 21, 2004

LEADERS BREAK GROUND ON STATE HIGHWAY 121 EXPANSION

(Frisco, TX) -- Transportation planners and elected officials from throughout Collin County broke ground today for an expansion of S.H. 121.

The $84.3 million project calls for three frontage roads in each direction (east and west) between the Dallas North Tollway and Custer Road. The road improvement project also involves construction of a three-level interchange at Preston Road.

"As our population continues to rapidly increase, this initiative becomes even more vital to our transportation infrastructure," says Collin County Judge Ron Harris. "Not only Collin County residents, but residents throughout the region have become dependent upon this stretch of roadway."

Harris, who served as a speaker for this event, was joined by Collin County Commissioner Joe Jaynes, Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson, Plano Councilman Phil Dyer and Texas Department of Transportation Dallas District Engineer Bill Hale. Dozens of leaders from throughout the county also attended the ceremony.

"We all agree State Highway 121 is critical to the success of our collective future. Only by working together with our neighboring cities, counties, and state, can we address our most pressing transportation needs," says Frisco City Councilman Bob Allen, who also serves as chairman of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation.

"This is a great event for the people of Frisco and the entire Collin County area," says Mayor Simpson. "This major stretch of highway will continue to draw developments along State Highway 121 and will provide an important link between Denton and Collin Counties, all the way up to 75. We're all partners in moving forward to provide a congestion-free roadway that acts as an economic machine for our entire area."

Last year, transportation leaders broke ground on the construction of frontage roads from Custer Road to U.S. 75. "This effort is a step in completing what we've been developing since 1986," says Commissioner Jaynes. "Nearly 20 years ago, the counties of Denton and Collin, TxDOT, the cities and property owners predicted that 121 would be a major corridor. Since that time, these groups have met to help develop the roadway."

In 2003, an additional 90 persons and 43 vehicles were added to Collin County roadways every day.

"I'm proud that we are able to move on a project that is so desperately needed for Collin County. The traffic congestion relief provided by the rapid completion of this and the rest of SH 121 is vital for the continued growth of Collin County," says Hale.

City of Plano Councilmember Phil Dyer lauded efforts stating, "Being a part of the State Highway 121 improvement process, allows us to fulfill our ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of Plano and neighboring residents and to the businesses that support our region."

The project's construction contract begins in November, and the project is expected to be completed by February 2008. During the project development, two interim lanes will be added to the existing road. This project brings to three the number of S.H. 121 projects currently under construction in Collin County for a total of $134 million. In all of Collin County, TxDOT now has 18 projects under construction totaling $311 million.

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