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ST9904-CS000705 MEMORANDUM FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING To'- From: Date: RE: Jim Witt, City Manager Works Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E., Dir. of Engineering/Public July 5, 2000 ~.z~f/~.~ J~' S.H. 121 / Sandy Lake Road intersection I have received correspondence from the City of Grapevine requesting participation by the City of Coppell in upgrading the span ~vire traffic signal system at the intersection of S.H. 121 and Sandy Lake Road. The current span wire system has experienced problems due to the low height of the span wires. The powerlines crossing S.H. 121 and the need to provide vertical clearance between the span wires for the signal light and the electrical wires dictated the low height. Grapevine has negotiated a solution that involves TxDOT designing a system that will utilize mast arms as opposed to span wires. Grapevine will install the mast arms and all associated wiring with their own forces at an estimated material cost of approximately $70,000. Grapevine is requesting that the City of CoppeH participate in the project (see attached letter). My investigation of the intersection shows that two of the current traffic poles are within the City of Coppell; therefore, two of the future mant arms will lie within the City of Coppell. Also, this is a main entrance into the City of Coppell and anything that will make this a better, safer intersection is obviously of benefit to the citizens of Coppell. The City of Grapevine is requesting that the City of Coppell participate in the amount of $15,000. This is approximately 20% of the total material cost. In the Street Department budget each year, $30,000 is allocated for traffic safety issues. In the prior two budget years, our department has concentrated on attempting to install traffic control devices along Mapleleaf. We received numerous complaints from citizens along Mapleleaf and our traffic studies of the area indicated that some type of road hump system could deter cut-through traffic and slow down the through traffic. Hosvever, after two failed attempts to receive a 75% positive response from the citizens, we concentrated on providing some type of traffic calming on Whispering Hills. Once again, the City received au insufficient amount of positive response to justify prov~dlng speed humps along Whispering Hills. It is too late this budget year to study yet another street to attempt to utilize the $30,000 allocated to traffic safety. Therefore, I am proposing that $15,000 of the traffic safety monies in the Street Department budget be allocated to participate with the City of Grapevine in the upgrade of the traffic signal system at S.H.121 and Sandy Lake Road. If you concur with this request please let me know and I will respond to Grapevine so they can provide appropriate paperwork for the City of Coppell to enter into an agreement with the City of Grapevine for participation iu the signal light upgrade. If you should have any questions please contact me. COI:'PELL MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Subject: July 6, 2000 Ken Griffin, City Engine~d'~ I have reviewed your memo dated July 5 regarding the 121 and Sandy Lake intersection and the Grapevine proposal for upgrading the span wire traffic signal system at the aforementioned intersection. I concur with your recommendation, and ask that you proceed with the necessary agreement with the city of Grapevine for final approval in the near future. I understand that the $15,000 would be derived from our traffic safety budget, as provided for in your Fiscal Year 2000 budget. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. JW:kb cc: Clay Philips Jennifer Armstrong July 3, 2000 Mr. Ken Griffin, P.E. City Engineer City of Coppell 255 Parkway Blvd. Coppell, TX 75019 Ref: State Highway 121 / Grapevine Mills Boulevard North / Sandy Lake Road Intersection Signalization Dear Ken: The City of Grapevine maintains the span-wire signal system at the referenced intersection for TxDOT. The height limitations that were imPosed upon us beneath their transmission towers by TxU resulted in a span wire system that meetS minimum Vertical clearances but d(~es not meet desirable clearances. In the past 18 months, we have had parts of this signal system pulled to the ground twice. This results in safety issues for the motorists attempting to cross SH 121 at the signal, our employees attempting to reconstruct the system while maintaining the heavy traffic flow in the intersection and for both Cities' Police Officers having to direct traffic in this heavily congested intersection. We have requested TxD©T to consider replacing the span-wire signal system with a full steel pole and mast-arm system. This would allow us to provide higher vertical clearances beneath the cross street signals and reduce the likelihood of having the signals hooked by oversized trucks and pulled to the ground. TxDOT has offered to design the system for us but has no funds for installing the improved signal system. We are proposing to replace the signal system with our in-house forces. Additionally, we will be reviewing the signal phasing to determine if we can develop an improved phasing to better address the cross traffic without impacting the thru traffic on SH 121. In light of the benefits to both Cities with a more reliable signal system and the possibility that a re-phased system might provide some improved east / west access through the intersection, we request that the City of Coppell participate with us in the cost of these signal improvements. We have estimated the cost to be approximately $70,000.00 in materials for the six poles and mast arms, drill~ ~~0~~~ed materials. We request PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE P.O. Box 95104 · Grapevine, Texas 76099 · Phone Metro 817/410-3135 · Fax 817/410-3003 that the City of Coppell consider providing $15,000.00 toward this project. The City of Grapevine will provide all of the labor and the balance of the cost. If this funding participation is at the level that you can accommodate, we will prepare any agreement that you may need prior to forwarding your funds. If you have any questions or comments, you my contact me at (817) 410-3136. ,,/ohn S. Laster, P.E. ,~ , ~Assistant Director of ~ublic ~¥orks CC~ Jerry L. Hodge Ramana Chinnakotla Francis Bishop File JSL/dsm O:~sta n\miscdocs\coppell_sig nalization @ 12 l&Slake.ltr - 0 ,,- :,4:> Or.O.