Construction of the Conflans Road Extension began in 2023 and is expected to be complete by May 2025. The project will connect State Highway 161 to Valley View Lane, improving access in the northern part of Irving. The $24.2 million contract was awarded to Zachry Construction Corporation, with funding from the City of Irving. Plans include a four-lane divided roadway, modern lighting, improved drainage, and a 12-foot-wide shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists.
This extension is part of Irving’s Master Thoroughfare Plan and will enhance east-west traffic flow while supporting nearby residential and commercial growth. Once finished, the road will serve as a critical link for commuters, schools, and businesses throughout the area.
Bridge and Utility Work Make Major Strides
By March 2024, workers had completed the placement of all 136 concrete beams for the 1,607-foot-long bridge over Bear Creek. Some beams weighed up to 77 tons and were installed using cranes with capacities as high as 600 tons. The bridge is one of the most prominent features of the project, spanning not only the creek but also the surrounding floodplain.
Alongside the bridge work, crews are installing an 8-inch water main beneath the structure. A box culvert is also being extended beneath Valley View Lane to help with stormwater flow. On the west bank of the creek, a gabion basket wall is under construction to reduce erosion and stabilize the soil along the creek’s edge.
A Changing Landscape Along Bear Creek
The area between SH 161 and Valley View Lane remained undeveloped for decades, with aerial photos from the mid-20th century showing open fields and rural terrain. Development picked up in the early 2000s as neighborhoods, parks, and light commercial buildings began to fill the surrounding area. Despite this growth, the Conflans Road corridor still lacked a direct east-west connection across Bear Creek.
That’s now changing. The new extension transforms the landscape into a connected corridor while preserving natural features like Bear Creek. Once open, it will offer a safer, smoother route through one of Irving’s fastest-growing zones, marking a major step in the city’s push for smarter infrastructure.
Last Updated on April 23, 2025 by F.E.M