Collin County leaders are celebrating the opening of a new highway designed to keep pace with explosive growth in one of the fastest-growing areas in the country.

The Outer Loop now connects the Dallas North Tollway in Celina with U.S. Highway 75 north of Melissa. The 15-mile stretch is one lane in each direction, but officials say it will soon be expanded and provide relief for drivers on the heavily congested U.S. 380 corridor.

Locally funded, non-tolled project

Collin County Commissioner Darrell Hale said the project is unique because it was built without state or federal dollars.

"This is a 100 percent non-tolled Texas road," Hale said. "This is probably the only greenfield highway project in the nation."

County leaders used bond money to fund the $62 million project, avoiding del

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