UTA West breaks ground on first campus building
Construction of UTA West is underway and progressing on schedule toward a planned Fall 2028 opening.
Work is currently focused on foundational construction, parking infrastructure and entry signage at the site near the intersection of Interstate 20 and Interstate 30 in the Aledo and Willow Park area of Parker County. Much of the on-site work is being completed by local contractors, supporting economic activity and job creation in the surrounding community.
General contractor Hensel Phelps is leading construction in close coordination with UTA’s Facilities Management team. The project is managed by Josh Barth, project manager for Hensel Phelps, who brings extensive experience working with UT System institutions on major capital projects.
The project is being delivered through a design-build model, pairing Hensel Phelps with design partner HKS. The integrated approach allows design and construction activities to progress simultaneously.
“Being a part of the first building on the new campus is an exciting opportunity,” Barth said. “As this project is design-build, working through the design process with our design partner HKS and the UTA team has been a great experience and provided the opportunity to assist in setting this project up for success.”
Earthwork and site preparation are ongoing, with the building foundation and retaining walls beginning to take shape.
UTA West is located along a high-visibility corridor in eastern Parker County and is intended to expand access to higher education for residents in the region.
As construction continues, UTA is finalizing academic offerings for the campus, with initial focus areas expected to include business, nursing and information technology programs aligned with regional workforce needs.
Even ahead of the campus opening, UTA’s presence in Parker County is expanding. Through the university’s Extended Campus division, non-credit workforce training courses are currently being offered at the UTA Willow Park office, with additional programming planned over the next two years leading up to full campus operations.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 300,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.