Check out some recent transportation updates from Prosper and Celina, including the the US 380 expansion and First Street construction, according to their respective capital improvement projects.

Upcoming projects:
Frontier Parkway waterline reconstruction

• Project: This project will replace existing water lines along Frontier Parkway from east of Preston Road to Coit Road. The work is being completed due to the Texas Department of Transportation project to widen Frontier Parkway from Preston Road to Custer Road.
• Update: Construction is expected to start in January

• Project: Prosper Trail will be reconstructed from Coit Road to Custer Road and the bridge will be replaced at the Wilson Creek crossing. It will be a four-lane divided roadway.
• Update: The project is in the design phase and construction has been delayed to start in summer 2028 to align with the Upper Trinity Regional Water District’s treatment plant expansion.

Lowe's is opening in January in Celina.

The details: The home improvement store announced it was opening two new stores in Texas including the one in Celina because it is among the fastest-growing cities in teh U.S., according to a Jan. 6 Lowe's news release. The other store is opening in Manvel.

Quote of note: "Service is at the core of everything we do here at Lowe’s and solving problems and helping customers across their journey is our mandate," said Lowe’s South Division President Joel Cogdell, in a news release. "Whether that’s helping a family settle into their new home or helping a Pro get everything they need for their project, we are excited to open stores in these communities and begin providing the value and exceptional service Lowe's is known for."

The background: The store opening comes after Celina City Council members approved performance-based incentive agreement between the city, Celina Econmic Development Corporation and Lowe's Home Centers LLC in September 2024.

A new private school with a curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, is opening in Frisco.

The overview: Winters Park Academy is launching for the second semester of the 2025-26 school year and is accepting students to finish out this school year or for the upcoming 2026-27 school year, founder and CEO Brandi Johnson said in an email. The academy is focused on STEM education, Johnson said, and utilizes a research-based approach for academic achievement through STEM activities.   

A new marathon event is coming to downtown McKinney in 2026.

In a nutshell: Tupps Brewery is hosting the inaugural “McKinney Historic Half Presented by BMW” event on March 28, according to a news release from Visit McKinney. The new event “blends fitness, family fun and hometown pride,” the news release states.

The event will feature a half-marathon, 5K and kid’s 100-meter dash. Proceeds from the event will benefit Scottish Rite for Children of Frisco.

Quote of note: “Bringing a new race to McKinney is an exciting milestone for our organization,” said Jason Schuchard, Dallas White Rock Marathon president. “This community has a spirit and character that make it an exceptional host city, and we can’t wait for runners to experience it firsthand. Race day will showcase everything that makes McKinney special.”

Dallas White Rock Marathon is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting health and physical fitness through running events, according to its website. The organization was established in 1971. The organization has donated more than $4.5 million to Scottish Rite for Children since 1997.