ST9904-CS 950210STA2~ HIGIt-IA'-AY ~2~ TASK F~CE
% ROBI~T W. POPE &. ASSOCIATES
4Oll W. PLANO PARKWAY
Sl.~ [1'~ 104
PLANO, TK,~.AS 75093
(214)964..8801 - FAX (9A4)596-6547
TASK FORCE MEETING NOTES
February 10, 1995
FRITO-LAY NATIONAL H~ADQUARTERS
PLANO, TEXAS
Clarence Daugherty, Collin County Director of Public Works, opened the meeting at 10:05 A.M. and
requested all in attendance to introduce themselves (fist attached). Daugherty announced that ground
breaking will take place March 8 for the extension of the future Dallas North Tollway frontage road
from SH 121 to FM 720 in Frisco; details of the event will follow. Daugherty asked the group for
input concerning scheduling of a "celebration" of the progress made to date on the improvements to
the SH 121 corridor. Demon County Comrrdssioner Sandy Jacobs noted that such an event would
generate publicity for the accomplishments of the Task Force participants over the past six years. It
was agreed to discuss the matter further.
Charles Tucker, TxDOT Dallas District Advance Planning Engineer, presented the attached "TxDOT
SH 121 Task Force Report". Following a question from Daugherty regarding the status of project
funding, John Polster, representing Denton County, reported on comments by Michael Morris,
NCTCOG Director of Transportation, to the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) on Januavd 9.
Morris reported to the RTC that the CMAQ funds which were allocated for expenditure in 1995
under the 1995 TIP will not be expended. Polster believes this will impact the 1996 TIP process just
as last years process, causing many anticipated projects to be dropped from the list, replaced by the
CMAQ projects which, under federally mandated air quality improvement plans, must be completed
within the next two years. Tucker pointed out that most local governments do not realize the strings
attached to the CMAQ funds; Dallas County has taken one year to get through the complex process
and has now employed a project manager to handle the projects. Potster pointed out most of the
CMAQ projects in the eastern mb-region of NCTCOG are within Dallas County, making the County
responsible for scheduling most of the CMAQ expenditures. Commissioner Jacobs requested the
District office consider recommendations on how to avoid comClicts in allocation of CMAQ funds as
experienced in preparation of the 1995 TIP. Tucker noted that John Blain, TxDOT Dallas District
Director of Transportation Planning and Development, has assigned Gary Taylor as special projects
engineer to assist with the process this year.
Tucker pointed out several items in the status report; he noted construction will commence in March
on the Crider Road intersection improvements with approximately three months. He also reported
the District has requested Level II status in the pending Project Development Plan (PDP) update for
the section of capacity improvements from SH 289 to US 75.
Tucker requested Butch Jones of the TxDOT Southwest area office, the office responsible for design
of the Bypass from Denton Creek to Denton Tap Road, to report on the status. Jones noted the
project could be ready for letting in December 1995 except for right-of-way acquisition. Harlan
12I Task. For~
February 10, 1995
pa~¢ 2
Moore of the Tx. DOT District ROW Division, reported no eminent domain heatings have been
scheduled but are getting closer; he anticipates seven or eight parcels will proceed to at least the
hearing stage of the ED process. Due to the fact several of the parcels are split by the Dallas/Denton
County line, the property owners may select the jurisdiction in which the proceedings will be initiated.
Moore will report on the schedule of the hearings at future meetings. Commissioner Jacobs asked if
the letters had been sent to utility companies regarding status of their relocation plans. Murray Allen
of the District ROW Division reported the letters are being prepared now and will be distributed next
week along with the freeway plans.
Construction of the SH 121/H-I 35E interchange is on schedule for August 1996 completion.
Commissioner Jacobs asked for a report on the jury trial recently completed in Denton County of
the appeal of the ED award to the Dallas Gun Club. Moore reported the jury made an award close
to the original TxDOT offer in the case. The owners can appeal the ruling on grounds other than
value. Commissioner Jacobs noted the jury award of $103,000 will result in no appreciable increase
in Denton County's share of ROW acquisition cost for the project. Moore reported the appeal of the
ED award on the Brown tract is expected to go to trial in March but may be rescheduled.
Tucker noted a letter (copy attached) from Robert Cuellar, TxDOT Deputy Executive Director, to
Senator Jane Nelson indicates a funding source has been identified for the Bypass improvements from
IH 35E to FM 544. Commissioner Jacobs stated her understanding the project has been "unofficially"
included in the 1996 TIP at Level III. Polster noted that the category for the funding has not been
identified due to the elimination of State Funded Mobility (SFM) category from the PDP.
Commissioner Jacobs indicated the importance of having the project ready for construction in
February 1996 - the most likely time flame for final federal approval of the 1996 TIP. Harlan Moore
reported there are no major ROW problems outstanding. The ROW division has received "plans
adequate" for utility relocation planning and is sending same to affected utility companies this week.
Sam Frenkil, Director of Facilities for Frito Lay, reminded the group of the importance of using local
industry for assistance in speeding up the utility companies it'needed. Commissioner Jacobs requested
that the utilities be contacted in April to determine their schedules for the work.
Denton County has now advised TxDOT of the cross section and pavement design desired by the
County in the relocation of Midway Road. The District expects to send the design schematics, revised
to include the realignment of the Standridge Road interchange, to local governments by the end of
February.
At the request of the cities of Grapevine and Coppell, the District has initiated review of the
proposed revisions to the intersections in the section of Stage I][ freeway improvements from the
Tarrant County line to Denton Creek. The purpose of the review is to determine the impact of the
changes on the cost and timing of the project.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
I~OBERT W. POPE & ASSOCIATES
4011 WEST'PI, AJVO PARKWA Y, SUITE 104
PIANO, TEXAS 75095
(214) 964-8801
SH 121 TASK FORCE
February 10, 1995
PHONE
~t.,~BERT t~. POPE & A,.q$OCL4TE$
4011 WEST PLANO PARKW'A Y, SUITE 104
PLANO, TEXAS 75093
(214) 964-8801
SH 121 TASK FORCE
February 10, 1995
PHONE
TxDOT S.H. 121 TASK FORCE REPORT
Note: Section numbers in narrative below correspond to
drawings.
February 10, 1995
numbers on
S.H. 121 CAPACITX IMPROVEMENTS (STAGE I)
A. Section 1:
Tarrant/Dallas County Line to North of
Denton Creek (4-lane divided highway with
2-lane frontage roads)
Completed - July 1992
B. Section 2: North of Denton Creek to I.H. 35E (4/6
lane divided highway)
(CSJ 036&-03-078 & 0364-03-077)
Completed - November 1993
C. Section 3: I.H. 35E to East of F.M. 1171 (6-lane
divided highway)
D. Section 4:
E. Section 5:
Completed - June 1991
East of F.M. 1171 to East of the Elm Fork
of the Trinity River (bridges)
Completed - July 1988
East of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River
to West of the Burlington Northern
Railroad (4-lane divided highway)
(CSJ 0364-03-042)
Crider Road Project (0364-03-079)
1. Completed - February 2, 1994.
TxDOT received a signed ordinance from the city of
Lewisville with a letter dated October 10, 1994 and
one from The Colony dated November 7, 1994
concurring with TxDOT's speed limit study. TxDOT
installed the speed limit signs on January 10,
1995.
3. Crider Road Project (CSJ 0364-03-079):
so
This project was bid on December 14, 1994.
The Commission awarded Sunmount Corporation
the contract with a bid of $396,676.89.
bo
Section 6:
G. Section 7:
Construction will probably begin in March,
1995 (dependent on the asphalt season) with an
estimated construction time of 3 months.
West of the Burlington Northern Railroad
to East of Legacy (4-lane divided
highway)
(CSJ 0364-03-043)
Completed - March 29, 1994
East of Legacy to East S.H. 289
divided)(including the S.H.
intersection)
(CSJ 0364-04-028 & 0364-04-032)
(4-lane
289
Project
Section 8:
is complete and open to traffic.
S.H. 289 to U.S. 75 (4-lane divided)
(CSJ 0364-04-022)
1. On "hold" status in the 1995 PDP.
2. Category 3A - National Highway System Mobility.
II.
S.H. 121 (SPUR 553) LEWISVILLE BYPASS (STAGE I)
(See attached for right of way status)
A. Section 9:
North of Denton Creek to Denton Tap Road
(3-lane frontage roads)
(CSJ 3547-03-002 & 3547-02-003)
1. Category 13 - State Funded Mobility. The 3 year
1995 TIP does include this project in fiscal year
1996.
2. Estimated letting date is July, 1996.
3. Construction plans are 61% complete.
4. Estimated construction cost is $14,000,000.
"Plans adequate" for utility adjustments were
comple.ted on January 25, 1995.
B. Section 10: Denton Tap Road to Lake vista (3--lane
frontage roads)
Completed - 1988
2
Section 11:
Lake Vista to I.H.
roads)
(CSJ 3547-01-002)
35E (3-lane frontage
This project let on
Company was awarded
$10,165,798.
April. 13, 1994. H.B. Zachry
the contract with a bid of
2. Construction began on July 6, 1994.
3. Project is 25% complete and on schedule.
4. Estimated completion date - August 1996.
Section 12:
I.H. 35E to Existing S.H. 121 Near F.M.
544 (3--lane frontage roads, freeway
constructed where frontage roads are not
proposed)
(CSJ 3547-01-004)
Category 13 - State Funded Mobility (Shown in 3
year 1994 TIP in 1996)· The 3 year 1995 TIP does
not include this project. However, it appears a
funding source has been identified (see attached
letter to Senator Jane Nelson from TxDOT's Robert
Cuellar, P.E.).
2. Estimated November 1995 letting date in the 1995
PDP.
3. The final plans are approximately 75% complete.
Revisions to the schematic are approved and the
Record of Decision has been approved and signed.
The recent revisions to the Clean Water Act
Nationwide Permit program will require further
environmental coordination with Texas Parks and
Wildlife and the Corps of Engineers. Specifically,
there are two areas of concern: the existing pond
which lies within the ROW near the northbound
frontage road of I.H. 35E; and the densely wooded
area between the MKT Railroad and the Elm Fork of
the Trinity River.
"Plans adequate" for utility adjustments are
complete and TxDOT has or is in the process of
sending these plans to the utility companies.
The right-of-way requirements for the County Road
relocation (Midway Road) have been revised to
address property owners' concerns and property
owners have been contacted.
At a July 27, 1994 meeting, John Baxter presented a
letter from Halff Associates addressed to Mr.
Baxter which included concept sketches of a
realigned Standridge Road. Their proposal keeps
the intersection of Standridge Road and the S.H.
121 eastbound frontage road at the same location as
shown on the S.H. 121 Bypass Schematic,
consequently~ S.H. 121 freeway ramps west of
Standridge will not have to be adjusted. The Town
of Hebron, the City of Lewisville, and the Colony
are all in favor of this proposal and have
requested that TxDOT revise the schematic
accordingly. TxDOT has received approval from its
Austin office for this schematic revision and a
Public Meeting was held on November 11, 1994 which
completed the public involvement process. All
affected property owners signed off on the
schematic revision at the Public Meeting and TxDOT
is finalizing the right-of-way requirements. TxDOT
expects to send the final revised schematic to the
affected cities by the end of February. S.H. 121
Freeway right-of-way donations are contingent on
local approvals of the revised design schematic.
III. S.H. 121 FREEWAY IMPROVEMENTS (STAGE II)
A. Section 13:
Tarrant County Line to North of
Creek (conversion to freeway)
(CSJ 0364-02-017 & 0364-03-064)
Denton
This project has been elevated from feasibility
status to Level I authority in the 1995 PDP.
Category 3A - National Highway System Mobility.
TxDOT has received a joint letter from the cities
of Coppell and Grapevine dated July 1, 1994
indicating the locations of grade separated cross
streets on S.H. 121.
At the December, 1994 S.H. 121 Task Force meeting,
a schematic revision was discussed that would
change the Freeport Parkway/S.H. 121 interchange
from a partial cloverleaf interchange to a diamond
interchange and eliminate the Parkway Boulevard
interchange at S.H. 121. Parkway Boulevard would
inters'ect with Freeport Parkway south of S.H. 121.
If implemented, these changes could have
significant impact on the cost of improvements and
the right-of-way for the project, including
required local participation. Since analysis of-~i!
these impacts will require a significant amount/of~
time by the TxDOT District Office, TxDOT has
requested that each City (Coppell and Grapevi'ne)
formally request such an analysis be performed.
TxDOT has received such a request from the City of
4
Co
Coppell dated January 24, 1995 and work has
commenced to prepare a response.
Section 14:
Existing S.H. 121 Near Denton Creek
Existing S.H. 121 Near F.M.
(Lewisville Bypass)(Mainlanes)
(CSJ 3547-03-003, 3547-02-004, &
3547-01-005)
to
544
1. On "hold" in the 1995 PDP.
2. Category 3A - National Highway System Mobility.
Section 15:
F.M. 544 to U.S.
(Mainlanes)
(CSJ 0364-04-023,
0364-03-067)
75
0364-03-066,
1. On "hold" status.
2. Category 4E - STP Rural Mobility (Note: could
become eligible for NHS Mobility).
o
The Dallas District requested in the PDP update
that authority be given to allow for State
participation in right-of-way acquisition up to $70
million on the section of S.H. 121 between S.H. 289
to U.S. 75. This was not included in the PDP
update; therefore local governments will need to
prepare a formal request to secure TxDOT right-of-
way funding.
RIGHT-OF-WAY STATUS S.H. 121 BYPASS
February 10, 1995
S.H.121 Bypass:
(Section 9)
From Denton Creek
To Denton Tap Road
Outstanding Issues:
1. Parcel to be acquired:
a.) Right of Entry to appraise:
b.) Appraisal Completed: 95%
c.) Negotiation Completed: 75%
d.) E.D. Hearings:
1.) Estimated to Begin:
a.) Dallas County: June,
b. ) Denton County: June,
2.) Estimated Possession:
a.) Dallas County:
b.) Denton County:
2. Utilities to be relocated:
a.) Lone Star Gas Company (6
b.)
c.)
Completed
1995.
1995.
May, 1996.
March, 1996.
- 12 Months to relocate)
Brazos Electrical Co-op (12 - 18 Months to relocate)
Texas-New Mexico Power (6 - 12 Months to relocate)
Personal Property to be relocated:
a.) Estimated clearance: August 1996
4 o
Final environmental clearance:
a.)
Indian artifacts: A pedestrian inspection has been
made. TxDOT personnel are contacting some. of the
property owners for right of entry to do addi~%onaL
investigation requiring archeological trenching.
This operation may be forced to wait until right of
way is secured.
II.
S.H. 121 Bypass:
(Sections 10, 11
& Part of 12)
From Denton Tap Road
To The Elm Fork of the Trinity River
(including S.H. 121 - I.H. 35E
Interchange)
Outstanding Issues:
Remaining parcels to be acquired:
a.) Right of Entry and Possession of all Parcels.
Utilities to be relocated:
(6 - 12 Months)
a.) Texas-New Mexico Power
b.) G.T.E
c.) Lone Star Gas Company
d.) City of Lewisville Water
3. Final environmental clearance: Completed.
III. S.H. 121 Bypass: From
(Part of Section 12)
To
The Elm Fork of the
Trinity River
F.M. 423
Outstanding Issues:
Relocation of Standridge Drive - Final Design in progress
(affects the property swap with land at the F.M. 544/S.H.
121 intersection).
Remaining parcels to be acquired:
a.) Minor drainage easements and construction easements.
(T.E.'s) have been appraised and reviewed. Offers'
have been made.
Utilities to be relocated:
a.) T.U. Electric Transmission Lines
b.) G.T.E. ( 6 - 12 Months for Relocation)
c.) Denton County Electric Coop.
d.) City of Carrollton Water & Sewer
(6 - 12 Months for Relocation)
e.) Texas-New Mexico Power (6 - 12 Months)
4. Final environmental clearance: Completed.
DISTRICT NO. 18 ......
I Texa$ D partment of Transpor[ ti t gs
· . Oallas, Texas
January 30, 1995
The Honorable Jane Nelson
Texas Set~te
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711
Dear Senator Nelson:
It was a ple~tu~ tnlking with you bst weelc about State Highway 121 (the Lewisvill¢ reli¢£ route). I'm
glad you brought to our attention the concerns of Denton County in SE 12 l's speedy completion. Since
our discussion, I've looked into the nmtter and I'd like to.report to you the following:.
An interchange projent at ~-I 35E is presently under construction. This project will
provide a connection between IH 35E and existing Spur 553 (the SH 121 frontage roads
· between Dentot~ Tap Road and 0.5 miles east of IH 35127).
· A $52 million project to construct B-lane frontage roads west of III 35E to existing SH
121 near FM 544 is scheduled to go to contract early in fiscal year 1996. This project is
currently progr~,~med for constm~ion in the Te~'as Department of Transportation's
.... · ~ '-~~6h C~-~=S~,az~ of the vitnl need:l~r'mzs projec[ ana'nns otrec~o
to enanm the e~liest po~ible development of the project.
On the oth~ matter of pmjec~ in the Ellh County ~ my ofiSce is currently lookL~g into theiy stat~s. !
plan to report to you as soon ns poss~le.
Thanks again for providing thc department with guidance on SH' 121. I promLs¢ that the d~p~r'cment will
work closely ~ you to see this projeCt, and otfle~, come on-line as em-ly as poss~l¢. You have an
open door to TxDOT, so if th~m is an~'hing further we can assist wit~, please don't hesitate to contact mc
at (5 t2) 305-9502 or Coby Chas~, Director of L~gisladve Affairs, at (5 t2) 463-60~&
....... ' ' ~ --The~ bi 4 N ~ ~':
.~.... ::'7. ;; .;-/.- -
Flower Mound O~ce
Sincerely,
Robert Cuell"r, P.E.
Deputy Executive Director
Transportati~o. nn~d Development