Bluegrass

Outer Loop study advances with public meetings planned

by | May 21, 2026 | Area news, Latest

As Collin County continues to experience rapid growth, planning efforts are moving forward on a major transportation project intended to improve future mobility across the region.

Collin County is advancing work on Segment 5 of the planned Collin County Outer Loop, a roughly 21-mile corridor extending from State Highway 121 near Anna to U.S. Highway 380 near Farmersville in northeast Collin County. Officials say the project is intended to address future transportation demands as the county’s population continues to increase.

According to project information, Collin County is currently the sixth-most populated county in Texas and is projected to grow by approximately 70% between 2026 and 2050. County officials said long-term transportation planning will be critical to maintaining regional connectivity.

Segment 5 is part of the larger planned Collin County Outer Loop, a 55-mile transportation corridor that will eventually extend from the Denton-Collin County line to the Rockwall-Collin County line. The route is expected to pass through or near communities including Celina, Weston, Anna, Melissa, Blue Ridge, Farmersville, Josephine and Royse City.

The current study will revisit a preferred alignment identified and approved in 2007. County officials said the effort is intended to refine portions of the route and develop right-of-way mapping documents. Plans call for an anticipated 500-foot right of way with two main lanes and two-lane frontage roads in each direction.

County leaders said project goals include improving mobility and safety while considering cost effectiveness, engineering feasibility and minimizing environmental impacts.

Public input remains part of the process. Collin County will host two in-person public meetings from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, at Buena Vista Ranch, 9200 N. 

State Highway 78 in Blue Ridge, and Thursday, June 4, at Melissa United Methodist Church, 3851 McKinney St. in Melissa.

Meeting materials will also be posted online no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, and will include a video presentation, maps, exhibit boards and opportunities for public comment.

Project materials will be developed in English. Those needing language assistance or accessibility accommodations may contact Gwen Jurisich at [email protected]. Residents experiencing technical difficulties accessing the online materials may also use that email address or call 972-960-4431 for assistance.

The county has already completed or is constructing portions of frontage roads associated with other Outer Loop segments as planning and development continue across the region.

Separately, Collin County Commissioners Court voted Monday, May 11, to approve the sale of nearly 19 acres on FM 1827 south of New Hope for inclusion in the planned Texas Department of Transportation Highway 380/Spur 399 bypass corridor.

According to TxDOT Public Information Officer Dianne Tordillo, work on detailed design, right-of-way acquisition and utility relocations is ongoing in portions of that project corridor, though construction bidding schedules have not yet been developed.

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