Roadwork is underway in southeast McKinney to expand Spur 399 with a vision to eventually extend the highway around the city.

The big picture: The Texas Department of Transportation broke ground on a $157 million project this summer to expand the existing Spur 399 from four to six lanes. The project is one of three separate segments that aim to connect Spur 399 to US 380, TxDOT Public Information Officer Madison Schein said. Construction of the extension is estimated to cost $983 million in total to “address the congestion and improve mobility” in eastern Collin County, she said in an email.

The second and third segments will construct an eight-lane freeway with frontage roads along McKinney National Airport’s east side. Officials expect to award a construction contract for the second segment in a few years, Schein said.

Also of note: TxDOT officials are also planning a $52 million project to reconstruct SH 5 between McMakin Street and Power House Street. That project is expected to be awarded for construction in 2028.

iCode recently opened a new location in McKinney, franchise owner Sonal Takkar said.

The gist: iCode is a STEM learning center that integrates AI into its curriculum, offering programs for students ages 5-18. The hands-on curriculum includes programming VEX robots, mastering drone programming and using platforms like Minecraft and Roblox as coding environments.

“iCode offers deep, practical experience in coding, robotics, game development and digital design,” Takkar said in an email.

• 240 W. University Drive, McKinney

Learn more about 10 restaurants that were featured in the McKinney edition of Community Impact in 2025.

1. El Pollo Alegre: When Norma and Carlos Nevarez moved from their native country of Mexico to Texas in 1996, they worked at a taqueria for six years before launching El Pollo Alegre in 2002 in McKinney. The married couple started out with a chicken-centric menu but overtime, the chicken options were dwarfed by seafood selections.

2. Miruku Creamery and Cafe: As a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago, Kham Phommahaxay dips into his French chef skills as he creates recipes for the Japanese style ice cream he and his wife, Yim Phommahaxay, serve at Miruku Creamery and Cafe in McKinney.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport announced a request for proposal to add 14 new retail and dining locations in multiple terminals.

According to a news release, the airport concession program seeks local brands and flavors that represent North Texas tastes, character and creativity. The request for proposal is open through Feb. 2 for 11 food and beverage locations, and three specialty retail stores.

What they’re saying: “As we build new gates, reimagine existing spaces and construct a new Terminal F, DFW Airport is committed to showcasing our region through our shops and restaurants so that when people travel through our terminals, there’s no denying they have arrived in the heart of Dallas and Fort Worth,” said Ken Buchanan, DFW’s chief revenue officer.

The details: The concepts for food range from fast-food, fast-casual, grab-and-go concepts to frozen treats, popcorn, cosmetic and specialty retail, according to a news release. The locations will be in terminals A, B, E and F.

Here are five of the most-read CI Texas stories from this year and the latest updates on these trending topics.

1. Texas Senate passes bill that would nearly double property tax exemption for seniors, people with disabilities: Elderly and disabled homeowners were set to receive a $200,000 property tax exemption this year.

2. Texas House bill would make it easier to remove students from the classroom: The law gives teachers more discretion to remove students from the classroom if they are repeatedly disruptive or threaten the safety of others.

3. What to know about the 17 state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot: Nearly 3 million Texans voted in the November election, approving all 17 constitutional amendments.

4. Texas House bill would prohibit cellphone use in K-12 schools: Under House Bill 1481, cellphones and other personal communication devices are prohibited bell-to-bell in Texas public schools.

5. Texas families can now access 2022-23 A-F school accountability ratings after multiyear legal battle: The state later released ratings for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years in August.