The North Texas Tollway Authority voted Wednesday to build the Dallas North Tollway extension between both Denton and Collin counties, at a cost of $864 million.
Celina, on the Collin County side, had offered millions to bring the route east, a move that would have cost $60 million less.
So why didn't the Tollway Authority go that way?
Denton County has $20 million available now, bond money already approved by voters. That likely will be used to build frontage roads.
"I think ultimately that was a big part in the vote going the way it did today," said Denton County Judge Mary Horn.
In a 7-1 vote, the NTTA board approved the county line route. Members stressed neutrality, regional transportation, and said that route will benefit both counties.
"Most of all, I think it's fair, and it's a win for the people who are going to be driving on the Dallas North Tollway in the future," said Dave Denison, an NTTA board member.
Celina had the most to gain from the failed eastern route that was proposed to run through that town. The county line route will still benefit Celina, though it travels through a much smaller portion of town.
"We’re disappointed with the decision," Said Celina City Manager Jason Gray. "We're glad some decision got made, so we can go about the business of planning the roadway."
Celina's proposed special tax district would have sent $229 million to the NTTA. But most of that money would have been generated 10 to 30 years after the tollway is built, with no guarantees.
"As they said, future growth is somewhat uncertain," Collin County Judge Keith Self said. "But when you look at Frisco 20 years ago, how many people were in Frisco? Very few."
Now that the NTTA has approved a path for the final segment of the Dallas North Tollway, the agency is moving on to the next step, coming up with a design. And Denton County already has money set aside for that.
Both counties will benefit in a big way. Collin County has seen a 61 percent population increase over the past decade. Denton County has grown by 52 percent. The toll road extension will only fuel that.
Construction on the extension is still nine to 10 years away.
E-mail: sstoler@wfaa.com
