DTX-PLN: Impact 10/6/2025

Drivers along Custer Road can expect ongoing lane closures through 2026 as a major water main replacement project moves forward in southern Plano and into Richardson.

Some context: The North Texas Municipal Water District, in partnership with the city of Plano, is working to replace an aging 30-inch pipeline, originally installed in 1975, with a new 36-inch water main to boost service reliability and capacity.

What you need to know: Lane closures along Custer Road are expected to continue through February during the main construction phase. The work will affect sections of Custer Road from Renner Road, just past the President George Bush Turnpike, to 15th Street as crews complete the installation.

Zooming in: The far-right northbound lane of Custer Road will continue to be closed, with temporary center lane closures expected through Nov. 3. Construction work is scheduled from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to the city’s website.

Bondi Bowls opened Sept. 26 in Plano’s Legacy Hall, a Legacy Hall representative said.

What they serve: The menu features acai bowls, smoothies, lemonade, shaved ice, locally sourced coffee and more, the company website states.

The backstory: Bondi Bowls was founded by Bailey Wilson following a family member’s health scare. She named the company after Bondi Beach, where she lived and where açaí bowls had become a staple of her daily diet, according to the company website.

The McKinney Farmers Market at Chestnut Square Heritage Village was ranked as the no. 1 farmers market in the state for the third year in a row.

Each year, farmers markets across the U.S. are ranked in America’s Farmers Market Celebration, a competition organized by the Farmers Market Coalition. The McKinney Farmers Market also ranked third in the Southwest region, according to a news release from Visit McKinney. Rankings were determined by votes casted by the public between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30, according to the Farmers Market Celebration's website.

The McKinney Farmers Market is hosted every Saturday at Chestnut Square. Local vendors sell fresh produce, handmade crafts and more. The market averages more than 2,500 visitors each Saturday throughout the year, according to its website.

• 315 S. Chestnut St., McKinney

From Oct. 13-19, Texas residents will not have to pay to apply to in-state public colleges and universities.

The details: During Free College Application Week, application fees will be waived for all Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities located in Texas. First-time college students, transfer students and students returning to school are eligible, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

To qualify for the fee waiver, all applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s college application portal.

What they're saying: “Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 29 news release. “By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.” 

Put in perspective: Most high school seniors apply to 5-10 colleges or universities and each application costs about $60-$75, state lawmakers estimated in June.