Seth Garcia, the city’s director of capital projects, briefed council members and the school board on Oct. 21 about multiple ongoing and planned infrastructure projects near Denton ISD campuses, including road widening, sidewalks and safe-routes-to-school improvements.

Garcia described three projects tied to Denton High School / Reeves Elementary area: Bonnie Brae (widening and sidewalks), Rhiney Road East (paving, trails and a planned trail through North Lakes Park to provide rear access to Reeves Elementary) and Westgate Road phase 1 (east-west segment linking to Bronco Way). He said Rhiney Road East bids opened last week and “came in under budget” and that staff is evaluating bids with a target to bring a contract to council in December or January with construction likely starting in late Q1 and expected completion in 2026.

On Westgate Road, Garcia said phase 1 is under construction and that the city expects to open traffic on part of the new lanes “around Thanksgiving” with final completion of that phase in roughly three months; the north-south portion depends on right-of-way acquisitions and funding and is scheduled later.

Garcia also reviewed Neighborhood 2066 (a large 2019 bond neighborhood package of roughly 120 street segments with a construction value staff characterized around $80 million). He told the group Congress Street paving is complete and that other nearby segments around the former Calhoun Middle School and Cordell Street should finish over the coming months, with most neighborhood work continuing into 2026.

On safe routes to school and sidewalk projects, Garcia said work at Neddy Schultz is nearly complete pending utility relocations, Pockhurst Page started clearing and work is under way at Jennings and Alexander elementary areas with the city targeting summer 2026 to finish work near Denton ISD campuses.

Council members asked about federal funding changes, coordination of temporary pedestrian routing near active construction, and improvements to the city’s project communications. Garcia said currently federal funding agreements remain in place for the projects discussed and the city is working with contractors and its MarCom team to expand door-to-door notifications, social media, a project webpage and possible text alerts to better reach affected residents, especially parents and walkers.

Several council members expressed constituent concerns about construction impacts near Calhoun and North Lakes neighborhoods and encouraged more timely, specific notices (48-hour windows) for pedestrian planning. Garcia said the project teams consider ADA and safety during construction and use temporary asphalt sidewalks, flexible path options and other accommodations when needed.

The presentation contained no council votes; staff described schedule estimates, bid status and communication improvements as next steps.