The I-35W corridor from Fort Worth to Alliance, explained

What the road is

TxDOT's $1.6 billion NTE I-35W project rebuilt 10 miles of I-35W in Fort Worth, from north of I-30 to US 81/287 (TxDOT). The stretch from north of I-820 to US 81/287 reached substantial completion in December 2016, and the stretch from north of I-30 to north of I-820 in July 2018 (TxDOT). The next phase, from US 81/287 to Eagle Parkway, rebuilt another 6.7 miles and added four TEXpress Lanes, auxiliary lanes and some frontage roads; TxDOT says it reached substantial completion in June 2023, three months ahead of schedule (TxDOT). The operator marked that opening on June 20, 2023, and says its Cintra-led concession operates and maintains the segment on TxDOT's behalf (TEXpress Lanes). The TEXpress Lanes on I-35W connect to the NTE TEXpress Lanes on Northeast Loop 820 and SH-121/183 Airport Freeway (TEXpress Lanes).

How the toll lanes are priced

TEXpress prices are not fixed. Roadside equipment recalculates them every 5 minutes, 24 hours a day, aiming to keep the lanes moving at 50 mph or faster, and you can always drive the adjacent non-tolled general lanes instead (TEXpress Lanes). The operator says typical prices run 15 to 35 cents a mile in lighter traffic and 45 to 90 cents a mile at rush hour, and you pay the rate shown on the sign when you enter, even if it changes while you drive (TEXpress Lanes). Without a TollTag or EZ TAG, cameras photograph the plate and the North Texas Tollway Authority mails the owner a ZipCash bill at roughly 100% higher rates (TEXpress Lanes). Cars, SUVs, motorcycles and most vans and pickups pay the same rate; large trucks and vehicles towing a trailer pay more, and anything longer than 20 feet including a trailer is classed higher (TEXpress Lanes).

The carpool discount

The NTE 35W TEXpress Lanes are on the list of corridors with an HOV discount (TEXpress Lanes). To get it, you need at least two people in the vehicle (motorcycles need no passenger), a TollTag, TxTag or EZ TAG account in good standing with the tag mounted on the windshield, a trip during the weekday peak periods of 6:30 to 9 a.m. or 3 to 6:30 p.m., and the GoCarma app, with each person in the car on their own account (TEXpress Lanes). Qualifying peak trips pay 50% of the base toll rate (TEXpress Lanes).

Which covered cities sit closest

On the site's computed free-flow grid (typical minutes without traffic), Keller is the closest covered city to both of the corridor's job centers: 24 minutes to AllianceTexas and 24 to Downtown Fort Worth (Where In DFW). Southlake is 33 minutes to AllianceTexas and 32 to downtown, and Grapevine is 35 and 29 (Where In DFW). Coppell and Flower Mound follow at 42 minutes to AllianceTexas (Where In DFW). These are free-flow figures, not rush-hour times, which is exactly the gap the toll lanes are priced to cover.

Weighing the cities near the corridor

The comparisons put the closest cities side by side on verified population, values, rents and the same commute grid: Keller vs Southlake, Grapevine vs Keller, Coppell vs Keller, Flower Mound vs Keller and Grapevine vs Southlake. The same corridor series covers the Dallas North Tollway, US 75 and the Sam Rayburn Tollway.

Are the main lanes of I-35W tolled?

No. The TEXpress Lanes are tolled, but the operator says it is your choice to use them or the adjacent non-tolled general highway lanes (TEXpress Lanes).

How much do the I-35W TEXpress Lanes cost?

The price changes with traffic. The operator says typical prices run 15 to 35 cents a mile in lighter traffic and 45 to 90 cents a mile at rush hour, and the rate on the sign when you enter is locked in. ZipCash bills without a TollTag or EZ TAG run roughly 100% higher (TEXpress Lanes).