TR9302-CS 940322
March 22, 1994
Mr. Don Cranford
Dallas County Public Works
411 Elm Street
Dallas, Texas 75202
RE: 1993 Transportation Improvement Program
Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) Program
Dear Mr. Cranford:
This letter is written as a follow-up to our telephone conversation on March 21, 1994 in which we
discussed the projects that Dallas County submitted for CMAQ funding. The County submitted nine
intersection projects which were voted on in the 1991 Dallas County Bond Program. During the
review of the nine intersections, it was noted that the City had already constructed six of them under a
TLS Grant. The remaining three intersections are MacArthur/Sandy Lake, Samuel/Sandy Lake and
Moore/Sandy Lake.
During our conversation, you stated that it was the County's intent on the projects to synchronize the
intersections by upgrading traffic components such as controllers, signal heads and wiring. It was not
the County's intent to provide any paving, foundations or mast arms. You also stated that the County
could participate in any engineering cost associated with the design of plans for the synchronization of
the signals along Sandy Lake Road.
During our conversation, I stated that I had spoken with Michael Morris, of the North Central Texas
Council of Governments (NCTCOG), concerning approved CMAQ funding for corridor
improvements along Sandy Lake Road. The City submitted a CMAQ project that included the actual
widening of the Sandy Lake/Moore intersection, some off-site drainage and signal light improvements.
The City is currently attempting to finalize or obtain commitments from the NCTCOG on the actual
scope of that project. In a previous letter to Mr. Morris, I inadvertently stated that the County would
fund traffic improvements at the intersection of Sandy Lake and MacArthur. While there will be traffic
improvements, the County will only be responsible for any wiring, signal head upgrades or controller
equipment upgrades that would facilitate synchronization on Sandy Lake Road. It is my understanding
that the County will participate in an amount of 20% for those improvements. The City is prepared to
fund any additional traffic cost associated with the improvement of the intersection including
foundations and mast arms.
During our conversation, I stated that it was my hope that Dallas County, the City of Coppell and the
NCTCOG could come to a mutual agreement on the scope of the project and who was funding what
portion of it. I stated that the three entities should get together and work on interlocal agreements
specifically outlining the scope, timetable and funding participation by the three entities. It is the City's
intent to try to move forward with the Moore/Sandy Lake intersection to utilize the CMAQ funding
that has been approved for the Sandy Lake Road corridor.
The City is fully committed to fund any difference in cost of the three intersections beyond: 1) the
County's 20% participation; and 2) 80% CMAQ participation or $443,000, which ever is less.
If the above represents the basic understanding of our conversation please let me know. I will then get
back in contact with Mr. Morris.
It was somewhat refreshing to note that Coppell is not the only City having difficulty in finalizing the
expenditure of the CMAQ funding. I strongly support the County's position of hiring an administrator
for the CMAQ Program to help facilitate the expenditure of the CMAQ funds.
If you should have any questions concerning this issue please feel free to contact me at your
convenience.
Sincerely,
Kenneth M. Griffin P.E.
Assistant City Manager/City Engineer
cc: Jim Witt, City Manager
Michael Morris, NCTCOG