Improvements to FM 2499 should ease commute

Commuters that take FM 2499 south from Flower Mound into Grapevine every day will soon get some much-needed relief.

Denton County and the Town of Flower Mound announced Wednesday that the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) in partnership with Denton County and the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) has funded improvements to FM 2499 starting just inside the Grapevine City limits to the State Highway 121 interchange at an estimated cost of $90 million.

Improvements will include lowering FM 2499 and adding bridges at Stars and Stripes Way and Grapevine Mills Drive so that motorists will not have to stop at traffic lights, which currently causes long bottlenecks.

Work is expected to start this summer with construction taking about 24 months.

“We are thrilled the funding has been approved for this vital connector between FM 2499 and SH 121, thanks to the hard work of Denton County Commissioners Andy Eads and Bobbie Mitchell,” said Flower Mound Mayor Tom Hayden.

“This connector will not only increase the mobility for Flower Mound residents and businesses, but also our many visitors who travel through our community every day. For many of our commuters, this will save them at least 30 minutes a day – that’s 30 extra minutes they can spend with their families instead of in a car.”

Additionally, TxDOT anticipates a July or August 2013 letting for improvements to 121 from the Sam Rayburn Tollway to Hwy 114 at an estimated construction cost of $80 million. Improvements will include additional capacity throughout the limits of the project.

“Once again, the partnership that Denton County has forged with TxDOT and the RTC has proven to be beneficial not only to the residents of Denton County but to the residents of Dallas and Tarrant Counties as well,” said Commissioner Eads, Denton County’s representative on the RTC. “This will improve the quality of life for our residents and enhance mobility for our business community.”

Preliminary approval of these projects were endorsed by the RTC at their January 2013 meeting.

“This is great news for Flower Mound residents, as they travel to and from their jobs, the airport, and throughout the Metroplex,” said Flower Mound Town Councilmember Jean Levenick.

“This project will not only benefit our Town, but surrounding communities as well, and will serve as another selling point for businesses looking to open their doors in Flower Mound. Any opportunity to reduce travel time is a victory for everyone.”