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Ken Griffin - Re: Coppell Road
From: Paul Weiser <boulder@verizon.net>
To: Keith Marvin <kmarvin@ci.coppell.tx.us>
Date: 7/17/2008 8:38 PM
Subject: Re: Coppell Road
CC:Albert Samaniego <ASAMANIEGO@ci.coppell.tx.us>, Ken Griffin
<KGRIFFIN@ci.coppell.tx.us>
Dear Mr. Martin,
Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to determine if the contractor's reasons are valid or not (if the
obstructions resume after the end of this week). Much as I hate to nag, I'll continue to report problems if
and as they arise in the future.
Thanks again for your always quick and fair responses - I hope they will seldom be needed!
Sincerely,
- Paul Weiser
Keith Marvin wrote:
Mr. Weiser,
We understand your concern with this ongoing construction project. I just spoke with the construction inspector, and he tells me that they will be done with the water line installation
in this area by the end of the week. The contractor has been instructed to minimize the obstructions to visibility at all the intersections on the project.
Unfortunately this water line is only the first step in this project. There is a lot of work left to be done out there, and we are going to need a lot of patience on all sides to get
through it.
Please feel free to call Albert Samaniego (construction inspector) at 469-576-1458, or I at 972
Keith
Keith Marvin, P.E.
Project Engineer
(972) 304-3681
Paul Weiser <boulder@verizon.net> 7/17/2008 1:56 PM >>>
Dear Mr. Marvin,
I very much regret to have to tell you that the dirt piles are back up
today (Thursday), higher and wider than ever, completely blocking
visibility for drivers trying to turn left out of the park. The
situation was much improved Tuesday (I assume that someone from your
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office talked to the contractor) - they even placed some markers to
indicate an area to be kept clear. Today the markers are gone and the
piles (plus some construction equipment that makes the situation even
worse) are back.
If you haven't talked to them yet, I urgently ask that you do so. If
you have, and Tuesday's changes were the result, I have to conclude
(with due respect to all parties) that they're thumbing their nose at
you now. Last time it took them several weeks to encroach again after
(I presume) being warned; this time it took only two days.
If Coppell doesn't have statutory or contractual authority to mitigate
this situation on a permanent basis, should I forward our correspondence
to TX DOT or some other agency?
This is what I meant by the very undesirable situation of having to
complain repeatedly to you: I'm not an engineer, but this job looks to
involve a lot of digging up dirt and stacking it somewhere until it's
time to shovel it back in again. Any clear area becomes the obvious
place to put the next pile, regardless of why it's supposed to be kept
clear (if anyone remembers). I do regret having to bother you about this.
Sincerely,
Paul Weiser, 301 S Coppell #36
Keith Marvin wrote:
Mr. Weiser,
Ken is out of the office this week, but I will have the inspector evaluate the placement of the dirt piles.
Thank you for bringing these concerns to our attention. Please feel free to contact me with any additional concerns that arise during the project.
Keith Marvin, P.E.
Project Engineer
(972) 304-3681
Paul Weiser <boulder@verizon.net> 7/13/2008 7:08 PM >>>
Dear Mr. Griffin,
I regret to have to say that the dirt piles have (been) built up again
to the point that they're a hazard, blocking visibility for drivers
exiting the Golden Triangle mobile home park. This was one of the
reasons I felt that directing the contractor to remove them was not a
practical solution: it places me (and/or other residents) in the
position of having to periodically complain to the city, you in the
position of having to respond to the complaints, and the contractor in
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the position of having to either work less efficiently or constantly try
to get away with what he knows he's not supposed to do. But I do agree
that the mirror was not a good solution, either.
One thing that would help and *is* signage would be to temporarily cover
the existing stop sign at the Golden Triangle park entrance (301 S
Coppell Rd) and place a temporary stop sign right where cars leaving the
park are about to turn onto the eastern lane of S Coppell. The reason
for this is that, even with perfect visibility, the tendency is for
drivers to stop at the existing stop sign at the bottom of the incline,
then stop again as they're about to turn - either to get a better view
or because they suddenly note that there's a vehicle coming. In my
experience, this results in rear-end collisions when drivers, having
stopped at the stop sign, press on looking right, assuming the car ahead
will be gone. This will no longer be necessary when the western lane of
S Coppell is the traffic lane. One disadvantage is that it will require
some cars to stop on the incline, which can be slippery when wet, muddy,
or icy. But we've always had to deal with that. The improvement with
real storm sewers instead of bar ditches - eliminating the lake that
forms there after heavy rain - is well worth it!
Thanks in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
- Paul Weiser, 301 S Coppell #36
Ken Griffin wrote:
Thank you for your in the field observations on Coppell Road. I've
instructed my inspector to work with the contractor to relocate the
visibility obstructions that you mentioned in your email. Relocating
the obstructions is a better option than a mirror. Mirrors can cause
a severe problem at times during the day when the sun reflects off
them and directs the sun into the drivers eyes.
If you should have any additional questions or concerns, please
contact me at your convenience.
Ken Griffin, P. E.
Director of Engineering & Public Works
972-304-3686
kgriffin@ci.coppell.tx.us
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