RE 2011-0222.1RESOLUTION NO. Q► Qd - 0.2-7a. /
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COPPELL,
TEXAS, REQUESTING IMPROVEMENTS TO INTERSTATE 35 EAST AS DESIGNED
BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO BE FULLY FUNDED
AND IMPLEMENTED FOR THE FULL PROJECT LENGTH FROM INTERSTATE
HIGHWAY 635 IN DALLAS COUNTY TO U.S. HIGHWAY 380 IN DENTON COUNTY.
WHEREAS, the interstate highway system in Texas has a positive economic impact and
Interstate Highway 35 in particular has become one of the nation's most important interstate routes
due to international trade and commerce; and
WHEREAS, traffic volume has increased geometrically as cities along Interstate 35 grew
and became economic centers of national importance; and
WHEREAS, Interstate Highway 35 East (I -35E) has been designated as an international
trade route for commerce known as the NAFTA Superhighway; and
WHEREAS, Interstate 35 was an original Interstate Highway and approved by the Texas
State Highway Commission in 1962 that was 492 miles in length; and
WHEREAS, Interstate 35 has been designated by the United States Congress as a National
High Priority Corridor — Corridor 23; and
WHEREAS, the segment of I -35E from Interstate Highway 635 in Dallas to U.S. Highway
380 in Denton is approximately 28 miles in length with average daily vehicle count of between
175,000 and 200,000 vehicles per day; and
WHEREAS, the 2030 traffic projections show traffic will exceed 330,000 vehicles per day
in the most congested areas of I -35E; and
WHEREAS, the use of managed toll lanes on I -35E has already been authorized by the
Federal Highway Administration ( "FHWA ") through approval of an Express Lane Demonstration
Program entered into between TxDOT and FHWA on September 20, 2009; and
WHEREAS, the current Design Schematics and Interstate Access Justification for I -35E
were approved by FHWA on October 28, 2009; and
WHEREAS, the current design plans for I -35E provides for the construction of four
general purpose lanes and three access road lanes in each direction, which combined a total of
fourteen (14) lanes, for which no toll will be assessed; and
WHEREAS, the capacity for the I -35E general purpose lanes and access lanes will be
enhanced with the inclusion of two managed toll lanes in each direction where the managed lanes
are a critical component to obtain financing necessary to complete development of the project; and
WHEREAS, there has been significant public involvement during the development of the
I -35E design process, including multiple public meetings and forums; and
WHEREAS, TxDOT has over the past ten years worked closely with local elected officials,
stakeholders, and communities of interest along I -35 on the planned improvements; and
WHEREAS, the total cost of the project which is divided into three segments covering 28
miles, is projected to be $4.4 billion; and
WHEREAS, Denton County has pledged its Regional Toll Revenue in the amount of $535
million, in addition to voter approved County Road Bond funds in the amount of $55 million, to
help finance the completion of the entire I -35E project; and
WHEREAS, local officials understand the need for and support the inclusion of managed
lanes in the congested I -35E corridor; and
WHEREAS, the completion of I -35E with the "pay as you go" appropriation method
utilizing motor fuel tax revenue could delay implementation of the project for an additional 20 -30
years; and
WHEREAS, staged construction of I -35E, utilizing innovative financing mechanisms,
including Public Private Partnerships remains the only viable alternative to complete the
construction if I -35E within a time horizon of 5 -7 years; and
WHEREAS, I -35E public hearings are scheduled for the Fall of 2010 with environmental
clearance and the issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact expected in the first quarter of
2011.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Coppell,
Texas does hereby:
Section 1. Supports the proposed TxDOT schematic and design of Interstate Highway 35 East
from Interstate Highway 635 to U.S. State Highway 380, which incorporates managed toll lanes.
Section 2. Supports the authorization of innovative funding concepts, public private partnerships
and other funding alternatives which can be implemented by reauthorizing TxDOT to enter into
contracts with private sector partners to complete I -35E, as designed, in 5 -7 years.
Section 3. Joins with the other political subdivisions adjacent to and along the I -35E corridor to
request and support the statutory authority for TxDOT to enter into public private partnerships, as
previously authorized by statute, for the purpose of seeking competitive proposals and awarding
the construction of the designed improvements for I -35E.
Section 4. Supports the expedited consideration of reauthorization for TxDOT to enter into
public private partnerships with an effective date in the first quarter of calendar year 2011 to
facilitate an early issuance of requests for proposals to accelerate the initiation of the needed
improvements for I -35E.
DULY PASSED and approved by the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas, on this
the 22nd day of February, 2011.
DOUGLAS�,N. STOVER, MAYOR
ATTEST:
CHRISTEL PETTINOS, CITY 4CRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ROBERT E. HAGEIY. QfTY ATTORNEY