ST9302-CS 930401April 1, 1993
Mr. Michael Morris
Director of Transportation
North Central Texas Council of Government
P.O. Box 5888
Arlington, Texas 76005-5888
RE: 1993 Transportation Improvement Program/
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program
Dear Mr. Morris:
This letter is written as a follow-up to our meeting on March 29, 1993, in which we discussed
projects in Coppell that had received funding from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
Program. The funded projects were listed as signal improvements and a detailed listing of the
signal improvements was provided at the meeting. I noticed that of the nine signal
improvements provided, six were on improved streets and the City of Coppell had recently
synchronized them under the TI.S Program. The other three signals were on Sandy l.ake Road
at Samuel, Moore and MacArthur. After some discussion, it was noted that the projects e\,e:~
though they were in Coppell, had been submitted by Dallas County and that I should contact
either Richard Peterson or Don Cranford with Dallas County concerning why these projects were
submitted. During the course of our discussion, I made a recommendation that the fm~ds be
reallocated to a project that the City of Coppell had submitted in July, 1992. That 13roject
specifically was the improvement of the Sandy Lake Road and Moore Road intersection along
with signalization at that intersection. It was noted that this is a major east/west street in
Coppcll and currently has severe traffic problem associated with it. Because Sandy l.akc Road
was listed in the projects submitted by the county, and the funds basically would not be moved
from the projects submitted there was positive indication that the project for the improvclncnt
of Sandy Lake Road and Moore Road could be funded under this program with the heading of
'Corridor Improvement along Sandy Lake Road'. The project basically would include the
reconstruction of the Sandy Lake Road and Moore Road intersection with four lanes and a turn
lane each way and signal lights, plus the improvement of the signal lights at MacArthur/Sandy
l.ake and Samuel/Sandy Lake. I was instructed to speak to the county concerning this project
and to respond back to you and the Texas Department of Transportation.
On March 30, 1993, I spoke with Don Crantbrd of Dallas County concerning this project. Mr.
Cranford stated that it was the Cotmty's intention to do a TLS Program on the six signal lig, hts
listed on Denton Tap and Beltline and that they were unaware the City had obtained funding for
a TI .S Project. He stated that if in fact that project had been funded and completed, then the
County would not need the funds for those six signal lights. 1 explained the scope of the project
which I was seeking to gain approval from both the State and the Council of Governments and
Mr. Cranford stated he had no problem with that as long as the funds were still spent in the area
along the roadway as was submitted by the County. In fact, it is the case that these funds wotfid
be spend on Sandy Lake at three intersections listed by the county.
Because six of the nine intersections have already been completed with the TLS t'rogram,
because the County has no problem with the City suggesting a redefinition of the project along
Sand,. Lake. Road and because the funds have already been allocated for signal/intersection
improvements, the City respectfully request the Council of Governments and the Texas
Department of Transportation approve a redefinition of the project that has been funded in the
amount of $443,000. If the City can provide any additional information please feel free to
contact me at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E.
City Engineer
cc: John Blaine, Texas Department of Transportation
Don Cranford, Dallas County
Frank Trando, Acting City Manager
Steve Goram. Director of Public Works
file/cog. ltr