ST9904-CS 950609STATE HIGHI4rAy 1;~1 TASK FORCE
% ROBERT W. POPE &ASSOCIATES
4011 W. PIANO PARKWAY
S~rr~ 104
PLANO, '1'~.5 7509~
(~14)96~8801 - FAX (214)596-6547
TASK FORCE MEETING NOTES
June 9, 1995
FRITO-LAY NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
PLANO, TEXAS
Ruben Delgado, Collin County Assistant Director of Public Works opened the meeting at 10:10 A.M.
and requested all in attendance to introduce themselves (list attached). Delgado then turned the floor
to John Blain, Tx. DOT District Director of Transportation Planning and Development, who presented
the attached "TxDOT SH 121 Task Force Report".
Blain noted that the current draft of the 1995-97 TIP includes $66.3 million for the Bypass. Final
approval will not be received until public hearings have been held, the RTC approves the allocations,
and the Texas Transportation Commission acts on the final recommended state-wide program
(probably in October). However, it is important to note the project is in a much better position for
funding than last year.
Harlan Moore of the TxDOT District ROW office reported on the status of ROW acquisition for
Section 9 of the Bypass. Rider Scott of the firm of David Dean and Associates, reported that his firm
has been employed by Denton County to assist TxDOT and the Attorney General's office with ROW
acquisition for this section. Their duty will be to make sure eminent domain documents are correctly
prepared and filed and to work within the system to limit continuances and speed the process. Scott
presented a drawing indicating the status of the various ROW parcels. Bill Strange orE-Systems
questioned the county of venue for the ED cases. Scott noted that a property owner has the fight to
change an ED case to his county of residence; to date all cases have been filed in Dallas County (2
in County Court and 2 in District Court).
Denton County Commissioner Sandy Jacobs thanked the group for their letters to the Transportation
Commissioners regarding funding for the Bypass; she noted the importance of keeping the project
in front of the Commission. Commissioner Jacobs noted Denton County has extended the contract
with David Dean and Associates to $150,000; Dean's task is to make sure there are no delays to the
project due to ROW acquisition. Anyone with suggestions should contact Commissioner Jacobs.
John Polster of Transportation Strategies reported he has requested a letter fi'om District Engineer
James Hu~nan assuring that funding for the Bypass is available. Huffman cannot write such a letter
until final Commission action on the STIP. Polster also reported that Hu~nan stated he has not
previously seen a project receive such emphasis from the Austin office.
Tom Dingier questioned a May 10 letter from Michael Morris, NCTCOG Director of Transportation,
stating the Bypass is one of several proposed freeways being studied for tollroad status. Dingier
SH 121 T~k Fore~- M~ins N~
Sur~ 9, 1995
Plg~ 2
stated it was his understanding that the Bypass was not to be considered for such status. Polster
reported that any new project must be studied for its potential as a tollroed. However, if the local
sponsor of the project opposes such designation, it will not occur. Blain noted that since Stage I of
the Bypass (frontage roads) was in process before the tollroad study requirement was instituted, the
requirement does not apply. Although the RTC still has the project on its map of potential tollroads,
the TTA has no authority to study the project.
Bill Strange asked if Task Force members should attend the TIP public hearings to support the
Bypass project. Blain urged everyone to participate in the public involvement process. The hearings
will probably be held in late summer.
Commissioner Jacobs voiced her concern that the Task Force is composed mainly of staff level
officials while the RTC is made up totally of elected officials. The Task Force therefore has no
presence on the RTC and the representatives of the Task Force member cities and counties do not
always vote to support SH 121. Jacobs requested that Poster prepare a bullet list for circulation to
the elected officials; this will help to encourage those officials to take a proactive stance on the
project. Strange asked if the Task Force should meet with RTC members. Polster reminded the group
that each of those members have other projects which may be more important to them than SH 121.
Jacobs also asked Polster to distribute a list of RTC members to the Task Force.
Blain returned to his presentation on the status of Section 9. Kenneth Shirley reported progress has
been made on the remaining design issues. It is anticipated the archaeological survey will be
completed by the end of June. Murray Allen of TxDOT reported all utility relocation work is on
schedule and there will be no delays in the project letting due to the utility work. Blain explained the
"Tentative P.S.&E. Schedule" (Page 8 of the report).
Blain noted the funding issues discussed as part of Section 9 also apply to Section 12. Brian Barth
of TxDOT reported his office has received the Section 12 "95%" plans from the consultant for
review. In response to a question from Commissioner Jacobs, Barth reported the only remaining item
to complete processing under the Clean Water Act is notification to the Corps of Engineers; he
expects that process to be completed in luly. Jacobs requested a report on this item at the next
meeting.
Harlan Moore reported that a few minor temporary easements are still needed from the Bright and
Indian Creek tracts; these easements must be in hand before the project can be scheduled for letting.
Ken Murchison stated there is no problem with the easements needed from his property (Indian
Creek). Moore noted John Baxter of Bright has agreed to the easements. Similar easements on the
Singer tract are in hand. Murray Allen reported TU is completing the process of designing the
relocation oftheh' utilities in the section; since their work must be completed in the winter due to load
demands, there is no way to speed up their work. However, Allen sees no delays to the projected
letting schedule due to the limited number of utility conflicts in the corridor. Blain presented the
"Tentative P.S.&E. Schedule" (Page 9 of the report) for this section. Sam Frenldl of Frito-Lay asked
SH 121 Task For~e - Meeting
Jun~ 9. 1995
Page3
if there are any issues with Railroad bridges similar to the situation which caused delays to the
capacity improvements near FM 423. Barth reported the District Bridge Section is handling that
matter and they report no problems. Frenkil reminded the group that should any problems occur, his
company might be able to assist. Commissioner lacobs questioned when construction could start
based on the projected February letting. Blain replied he would anticipate an April ground breaking.
Jacobs asked if Blain believes the Bypass projects (Sections 9 & 12) can stay on the reported
schedules. Jacobs reiterated her concern that the projected July letting date for Section 9 does not
allow for much slippage due to the requirement the project be bid before the 1996 fiscal year ends
in September. Blain expressed his belief the proposed schedules are realistic; the most critical factor
will be resolution of the eminent domain issues on Section 9.
Blain turned the floor to Robert Pope who reported that Collin County is currently discussing the
schedule for sale of bonds approved by voters in May including the $7 million approved for SH 121
improvements. Plans are being reviewed for the best approach to leverage the bond funds with other
sources to speed construction of Section 8 (capacity improvements from SH 289 to US 75).
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
ROBERT gE. POPE & ASSOCIATES
4011 WEST PLANO PARKWA Y, SUITE 104
PLANO, TEXAS 75093
(214) 964-8801
SH 121 TASK FORCE
Jun~ 9, 1995
PHONE
Z-75-- 77 9,7
ROBERT W. POPE & ASSOCIATES
4011 WEST PLANO PARKWA Y, SUITE 104
PIANO, TEXAS 75093
(214) 964-8801
SH 121 TASK FORCE
June 9, 1995
NAME
PHONE