ST9904-CS 990210 MAR Austin
Development F' ~ .~,]~ Dallas
M Jeff Carey Houston
Fit PO. Box 294743
(972)315-8881 W Lewisville, Texas 75029
(972)315-5970 F E-Mail: rampjef~iglobal. net
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] ylNNOVATIVE TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS INC.
2309 Springlake Rd. · Suite 630 · Dallas, Texas 75234 · (972) 484-2525 · (972) 484-4545
o MEMORANDUM
TO: 4 Commissioner Sandy Jacobs, Prct. 2
M: John Polster, ITS
DATE: February 10, 1999
RE: Community Briefing Regarding SH 121 Bypass
Per our conversation, ITS provides the following information regarding the various issues
associated with the SH 121 project.
Background
Commissioner Sandy Jacobs ,on behalf of Demon County has initiated and worked with the SH
121 Task Force on the development and construction of SH 121. In the past 12 years, the Task
Force has been successful in completing many frontage road sections, primarily within Denton
County. The attached TxDOT update provides detail associated with those completed projects.
The focus of the Task Force has now shifted to the construction of "main lanes." TxDOT
estimates the cost of main lane construction within Denton County to exceed $138 million.
Therefore, a unified and committed partnership between the cities, county and state will be
critical if this project is to proceed in a timely manner.
Better, Safer Roads Program
Demon County's recently approved road program included additional funding for SH 121.
Precinct 2 has $4.75 million for Section 14 and $1.7 million for Section 14. Precinct 3 has $2.5
million for Section 14. The combined commitment to SH 121 in the Better, Safer Roads
Program totals $8.95 million.
Possible Improvements
In a conversation with Buz Elsom, Texas Department of Transportation-Demon Area Office, he
stated that there may be a way to phase the construction of the IH 35E/SH 121 interchange to
reduce the cost and increase the cost effectiveness of the project. This would entail the
construction of the direct connections between IH 35E and SH 121 as well as the southbound
main lanes for SH 121. ITS will have a scale model available to demonstrate this concept. Input
should be sought from each city along the SH 121 corridor as to priorities, A consensus should
be reached as to exactly how and where to expedite improvements.
Commissioner Sandy Jacobs
February 10, 1999
Page Two
State Infrastructure Bank
Another possible altemative would involve the use of the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB).
Essentially, the county would submit a SIB loan application for a specific project associated with
SH 121. If the loan is granted, the project would receive priority focus from the state to
complete the plans, specifications and estimates. Once the PS&E is done, the project could be
let for construction. The county could use its bond funds to make payments on the loan until
such time that the project is selected for funding by the state. At that time, the loan would be
"paid off' using federal funds. ITS will provide information regarding the SIB at the meeting.
North Texas Tollway Authority
The North Texas Tollway Authority has expressed interest in analyzing SH 121 as a toll facility.
Coilin County and many of its communities have passed resolutions supporting the development
of SH 121 as a toll road. To date, Denton County has not taken a formal position regarding this
matter. From a practical standpoint, a decision should not be made regarding a toll facility until
all other funding sources have been pursued or evaluated.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.