A taxpayer-funded U.S. Highway 75 HOV overhaul is 98.09% complete, according to TxDOT’s August 8, 2026, estimate report. The project will open former HOV lanes to solo drivers for most of each day and now carries an adjusted projected cost of $61.14 million, the report shows.
TxDOT awarded Webber LLC the contract at $58.49 million. The adjusted projection is about $2.65 million, or 4.5%, above the original award. TxDOT has charged 684 of the 780 contract days. The report lists time used at 87.05% compared with 98.09% work completion.
The approaching finish follows more than three years of coverage by The Dallas Express, which first reported on the conversion in 2023 and revisited the project during construction in August 2025.
Solo drivers gain 22 hours of access
The project stretches from Interstate 635 in Dallas County to State Highway 121 in Collin County. The converted inside lanes will operate as technology lanes instead of round-the-clock HOV lanes.
Only high-occupancy vehicles, low-emission vehicles and motorcycles may use the southbound lane from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays. The same restriction will apply to the northbound lane from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, according to the City of Richardson’s official project page.
All drivers may use the lanes during the other 22 hours of each weekday and throughout weekends. TxDOT will not charge tolls.
Open access replaces fixed barriers
The project replaces the double white lines and flexible pylons that separated the old HOV lanes from general traffic. Broken white lines will let motorists enter or leave the technology lanes continuously instead of using fixed access points.
The conversion adds high-mast lighting and reconstructs the center barrier, according to TxDOT’s public-hearing script. The project requires no additional right of way.
Testing continues before lanes open
Construction began March 4, 2024. The fields for physical work completion and final acceptance remain blank in TxDOT’s current estimate report.
TxDOT is evaluating overhead signs and testing the lane-management system before opening the converted lanes. The agency expects the project to finish this fall, The Dallas Morning News reported August 21.
The City of Richardson expects the project to finish by the end of 2026. Officials have not announced a specific opening date.
Provided by Dallas Express
