I-35E, south of downtown Dallas, is currently the 17th most congested roadway segment in Texas, according to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. The Southern Gateway project will reduce highway congestion, improving traffic flow for 180,000 motorists per day. The project will also enhance safety, adding shoulders and improving entrance and exit ramp movements. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations are also proposed.
A major source of funding for the Southern Gateway comes from TxDOT's Texas Clear Lanes initiative, a program prioritizing voter-approved funding for congestion relief projects in Texas' metropolitan areas.