Freeport NIP(7.6)-CS 890828 i Kimley. Horn
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
ENGINEEqS · PLANNE~IS · SUqVC:VORS
;2660 Co='.Roa~.Smte 200 Dallas. Texas75251 21-' 386-7007 Facsimile244 239-3820
August 28, 1989
Mr. Russell Doyle iii/ . ' '"
City of Coppell
Post Office Box 478 .. '
Coppell, Texas 75019 .
I
Re: Alignment of Freeport Parkway
Dear Mr. Doyle:
In response to your request and authorization, we have considered alternative alignments for an
extension of Freeport Parkway north of Bethel Road, and offer the following recommendations.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Freeport Parkway has been improved as a major thoroughfare from Bethel Road south to IH-635.
At IH-635, an interchange is provided which accommodates movements in ali directions. Further
south, Freeport Parkway in Irving passes through the DFW Freeport development, interchanges with
SIt-114 freeway, and provides access to airport industrial uses at DFW International Airport.
From Bethel Road north, two alternatives were considered:
Alternative A From the Bethel Road/Freeport Parkway intersection, this alternative goes due
north, crossing Cottonwood Branch at a point midway between State and Coppell Roads, intersecting
Sandy Lake Road at Coppell Road north. From this point, it proceeds along Coppell Road then
curves to the northwest to a planned interchange with SH-121 freeway.
Alternative B From the Bethel Road/Freeport Parkway intersection, this alternative uses a
reverse curve alignment to reach State Road, follows State Road to Sandy Lake Road, and then
curves to the northwest to the same planned interchange with SH-121 freeway.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
The following factors should be considered in selecting the preferred alignment:
· Alternative A is shown on the adopted thoroughfare plan of the City of Coppell.
· North of SH-121, Freeport Parkway is shown on the Denton County Thoroughfare Plan to be
an extension of Garden Ridge Boulevard. This is confirmed by Lewisville, Flower Mound, and
Terra Properties master plans. Garden Ridge interchanges with IH-35E at the current Highland
Drive location just south of Lake Lewisville. As a continuous thoroughfare, it becomes an
alternative route to IH-35E for traffic with destinations in the DFW Airport and Mid-Cities
areas. Garden Ridge/Freeport Parkway will be a route of "regional significance" carrying heavy
volumes of employment oriented and commercial traffic. In other words, because of its regional
function, it should not be viewed as a residential thoroughfare.
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Mr. Russell -2- August 28, 1989
· The alignment of Alternative B uses an existing road (State), which means that some right-of-
way is already in public use.
· The alternative routes are virtually equal in length -- approximately two miles.
· Topography along the alignment of Alternative B is more conducive for roadway construction,
and the crossing of Cottonwood Branch would be less expensive.
· Alternative A alignment places a major regional thoroughfare adjacent to existing residential
uses.
· Alternative A creates irregular triangular parcels when it leaves Coppell Road (north) to begin
its curve to the northwest. Coppell Road must also be curved to intersect, creating other
triangular parcels which are either difficult to develop or require property exchanges to develop
effectively. In contrast, the transition curves on NCH property occur within a large parcel and
can be accommodated.
· Multiple large tract owners support Alternative B.
RECOMMENDATION
it is recommended that Alternative B be adopted as the route of a future six-lane divided
thoroughfare and the City's thoroughfare plan changed accordingly. This recommendation is based
on the opinion that Alternative B offers:
· Effective use of existing right-of-way,
· high level of protection for existing residential developments,
· better alignment for connection to SH-121 interchange,
· least expensive location to cross Cottonwood Branch, and
· the potential for early implementation of a continuous roadway in this corridor through use of
short-term improvements to State Road.
Please advise if you need additional information.
Very truly yours,
KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
Roy L( Wilshire, P.E.
Senior Vice President
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