Big Cedar-CS 911230ALBERT H. HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC.
ENGINEERS · SCIENTISTS · SURVEYORS
DALLAS · ARLINGTON · CHICAGO · FORT WORTH
8616 NORTHWEST PLAZA DRIVE · DALLAS, TEXAS 75225
214/739-0094 · FAX 214/739-0095
Shohre Daneshmand, P.E.
City of Coppell
P.O. Box 478
Coppell, TX 75019
Re: Bethel School Road Crossing Stream G1
FILE COPY
December 30, 1991
DEC 3 11991
By:, Engineedng
Dear Shohre:
As discussed last week I am providing a summary of options for the existing Bethel
School Road culvert crossing at Stream Gl. My understanding is that this crossing is to be
abandoned and Bethel School Road (Harris) will no longer be open for through traffic to Bethel
Road. The existing right-of-way will revert to the resident immediately north of Stream Gl.
Halff Associates recommends that the City of Coppell consider the following in determining the
future of this stream crossing.
This crossing received a "dangerous" safety rating in the City-Wide Storm
Water Management Study (Table V-l). Should the City decide to maintain
this crossing in an easement or right-of-way there could be a liability issue
if a vehicle is damaged or a citizen injured during a major flood event.
If the City retains an easement for this crossing, it could be construed to
mean that the City is assuming responsibility for maintenance of the
private roadway, the crossing and the creek channel in this area. If this is
to be a private road then the property owner should be responsible for all
maintenance. Even without an easement the City of Coppell should have
the right to enter to remove debris considered hazardous. This would fall
under the same ordinance that allows the City to enter private property and
cut down weeds or eliminate health problems. In most cases the property
owner is then charged for the clean up.
In general, the best option would be to remove this crossing completely, thereby
eliminating any future liability issues. The channel could then be graded in this area to match
the existing channel section upstream and downstream. Some erosion control may also be
required. This option would also lower water surface elevations on Stream Gl. If the City
decides to leave the crossing as a private access it may be better from a liability standpoint to
have no easement at all. Even in this case, the City should consider some type of "hold
harmless" statement to be signed by the property owner. Halff Assocaates .t~ecommends that the
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ALBERT H. HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC.
ENGINEERS · SCIENTISTS · SURVEYORS
City of Coppell
December 30, 1991
Page 2
city attorney for the City of Coppell be consulted in light of these liability issues. Additional
information on the safety ratings for stream crossings in Coppell can be found on page V-3 of
your report.
I hope this information is helpful.
Please feel free to call if you have any questions.
Yours very truly,
ALBERT H. HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC.
C. Jean Hansen, P.E.
/sn
SHIMEK, JACOBS & FINKLEA
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
8333 Douglas Avenue, #820
Dallas, Texas 75225
By:. Engineering
ROSS L. JACOBS, RE.
I. C. FINKLEA, P.E.
JAMES E. LAUGHLIN, P.E.
RONALD V. CONWAY, RE.
JOHN W. BIRKHOFF, P.E.
MATT ARMSTRONG, P.E.
JOE R. CARTER, RE.
GARY C. HENDRICKS, P.E.
C. L. SHIMEK, P.E.
FILE COPY
Ms. M. Shohre Daneshmand, P.E.
Engineering Department
City of Coppell
Post Office Box 478
Coppell, Texas 75019-0478
Re: Big Cedar Addition
Traffic Detour Plan - Bethel School Road
December 12, 1991
Dear Ms. Daneshmand:
We have reviewed the Traffic Detour Plan for the closure of Bethel School Road
by Goodwin and Marshall, Inc. in connection with the construction of the Big
Cedar Addition. We have shown recommended revisions to the plan on the
attached markup. We recommend the Barricade Device and Warning Sign be
permanently placed and the "Road Closed Ahead" signs be placed on a temporary
measure as needed.
Again, we recommend Harris Road not be closed until the appropriate documents
have been executed and filed for record and the Detour Plan implemented. We
have yet to receive a plat and field note description of that portion of
Harris Road which is to be abandoned across the Rudy McDowell tract.
As a reminder, it is important to insure that the City retain a right of entry
onto the McDowell property in order to maintain the existing 8-inch water
line. In addition, maintenance (or removal) of the existing culvert in Stream
G-1 will have to be considered when abandoning this road. The City may still
have the responsibility of the improvements (or removal) of the culvert in
order to implement the improvements to Stream G-1 as outlined in the City Wide
Storm Water Management Plan.
We are available to discuss this pro jest further at your~c~nienc~
//_// /
Attachment
cc: Public Works, DRC Members w/Enclosures
Goodwin and Marshall, Inc. w/Enclosures
OENTON ~ ~