http://www.planotx.org/City_Hall/agendas/CouncilAgendas/Lists/POMItems/Attachments/1544/US75%20Alternatives%20Plano%20Council%20Meeting%203-23.pdf (http://www.planotx.org/City_Hall/agendas/CouncilAgendas/Lists/POMItems/Attachments/1544/US75%20Alternatives%20Plano%20Council%20Meeting%203-23.pdf)
This is unfortunate, but not too surprising.
The freeway is currently 4-1H-1H-4 (H-HOV). The study originally recommended a 5-3M-3M-5 configuration (M-managed toll lanes), with all lanes at ground level. The 5-3M-3M-5 would have necessitated substantial right-of-way clearance, and since the freeway is continuously lined with commercial establishments, hundreds of business would have been impacted.
The local cities have said they want minimal right-of-way acquisition, so now the new 4-3M-3M-4 plan drastically reduces right-of-way needs by eliminating the planned new free main lanes and sinking the managed lanes into a depressed level underneath the frontage roads. The presentation (see link) reports that managed lane revenue is expected to increase from $1.48 million to $1.78 billion due to added congestion on the free lanes.
I'm thinking the trenched double-level design will add up to $1 billion to the cost. Frankly, I'd rather see the freeway stay as-is than have this expensive monstrosity. At the very minimum, the usage of the similarly-designed toll lanes on Interstate 635, which are scheduled to open this year, needs to be evaluated.