ST9801-CS 991202COPPELL GAZETTE
Vol 18, No 20 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1999 50 cents
Coppell Road to be widened
Trees sacrificed
for traffic flow
By SARA ISADORA MANCUSO
Staff writer
Coppell Road is receiving a $2
million face lift that city engi-
neers said should improve the
flow of traffic and flooding prob-
lems. The 12 -month project will
extend from State Highway 1k
to Sandy Lake Road and wall
result in the widening of the rood
more than 15 feet.
The road's asphalt top will lie
exchanged for concrete, a matgr-
ial necessitating less long -term
maintenance, said Ken Griffin,
director of engineering and pub-
lic works.
Although the road is almost 20
feet wide, it will stretch 38 feet
when the construction ends.
Existing bar ditches will be
replaced with an underground
drain system, necessary for
increased flood safety, Griffin
said. "It will be a safer roadway
when we get through with it."
More than 20 trees bordering
Coppell Road were removed as
part of the project. Residents in
surrounding neighborhoods
have mixed responses to the tree
loss.
"The construction is neces-
sary. Things grow, things
change, but I wish we could've
kept the trees," said Joe
Elkington, a resident of the
Cottonwood Creek development.
"It sure is devastating to see
them gone."
Under the city's tree ordi-
Turn to ROAD, Page 5A
From 1A
nance, this project is exempt
from restrictions because it
involves utility construction and
takes place on city -owned land,
said Sharon Logan, public infor-
mation specialist for Coppell.
While the city can take certain
liberties, Logan said engineers
use extreme caution with pro-
jects involving trees, trying to
preserve as many as possible.
Most neighbors agree that the
traffic flow along Coppell Road is
getting heavier with the increase
in industrial development.
Although the trees were aesthet-
ically pleasing, it was worth los-
ing them to get improved traffic
conditions, said Lucy Gonzales,
a Cottonwood Creek resident.
GTE and the Mansions by the
Lake, an apartment complex are
among the businesses new to
the area. "The lane widening
would be a good thing for traf-
fic," said Jerry Fisher, a GTE
employee.
Contact staff writer Sara Isadora
Mancuso at 972 - 436 -3566, Ext. 125, or
by e-mail at Newslead @aol.com.
Construction
takes place
Tuesday after-
noon on
Coppell Road
as part of a
twelve month
lane widening
project extend-
ing from Sandy
Lake Road to
SH 121.
Courtney Perry
Staff Photo