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ST9301A-CS 950405 MEMORANDUM To: Danny Watson, Council Member From: Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E., Assistant City Manager/City Engineer Iai RE: On-street Trails across the Elm Fork of the Trinity River on Sandy Lake Road Date: April 5, 1995 This is written in response to the request for action dated March 20, 1995 concerning the County's ability to fund a trail across the Elm Fork of the Trinity River on Sandy Lake Road. I had previously talked to Allen Beene, Dallas County Public Works Director, about funding the trail at the time of construction. I was informed that there were inadequate funds. In the 1990 Bond Sale there was little thought given_ to alternative means of transportation, therefore, the bonds the County sold for their road work and bridges did not include any additional funds for trail systems. After receiving that response I did not pursue the issue any further. Since I have received your request for action, I have again contacted Mr. Beene to inquire about the County's ability to fund the project. Again, Mr. Beene has stated that there are inadequate funds available. I informed him that I would be following the chain of command to pursue the matter further. Next, I contacted Rick Loessburg, Planning Coordinator for Dallas County, to discuss whether or not he had any influence on directing the Public Works Department to include trails across Sandy Lake Road or if his department had additional funds to fund that type of work. Mr. Loessburg stated that he did not have funds available. I informed Mr. Loessburg that I would be contacting Jon Eric Simmons, Chairman of Dallas County Open Space. I also informed both Mr. Beene and Mr. Loessburg I would be contacting Commissioner Jim Jackson concerning this issue. I contacted Commissioner Jackson on March 29th about the County's ability to fund the trail across the bridge. As can be seen by the attached follow-up letter to Mr. Jackson, while the County understands the City's position in requesting the trail, the County does not have adequate funds for the trail. I informed Mr. Jackson that I would be contacting Mr. Simmons. On April 4th, 1995, Rick Wieland and myself met with Mr. Simmons to discuss the City's position on a trail across the Sandy Lake Road bridge. During our meeting with Mr. Simmons, it was again stated that the County had inadequate funds to include trails on the Sandy Lake Road bridge. Mr. Simmons was very sympathetic to the City's position and seemed to fully understand our need to address the issue at this time. However, he stated that the County is in the process of trying to expedite the bridge construction. As the meeting ended, I asked Mr. Simmons to talk to Mr. Beene and/or Commissioner Jim Jackson to again convey the City's position. I hope this information has adequately addressed the steps taken to impress upon Dallas County our request to have the trail across the Sandy Lake Road bridge. If you should have any additional questions please feel free to contact me at your convenience. March 30. 1995 Jim Jackson County Commissioner 411 Elm Street Dallas, Texas 75202 RE: Sandy Lake Bridge Over the Elm Fork Trinity River, City Project No. ST9301A Dear Commission Jackson: Thank you for taking the time to discuss the referenced project with me on March 29, 1995. I appreciate your insight into some of the funding constraints facing Dallas County today and in the very near future. As you may recall, I contacted you concerning the possibility of Dallas County funding the extension of some type of on-street trail system across the Sandy Lake Road bridge over the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. The bridge is currently under design, and quite likely is scheduled to be constructed sometime this year. It is my understanding that a six-lane bridge is being constructed, however, both the cities of Coppell and Carrollton are only constructing four-lane roadways up to the bridge. Therefore, an opportunity exists for the short-term of utilizing the outside lane of the bridge as an on-street trail system. However. long term when the fifth and sixth lanes are added in both Coppell and Carrollton. the opportunity to utilize the outside lane will vanish. This will be a very difficult situation for the City of Coppell for the following reasons: 1 The City of Coppell has currently contracted with Dallas County's consultant to redesign our portion of Sandy Lake Road to include on-street bike paths. The City has also committed to fund those in the construction of Sandy Lake Road. 2 The City of Coppell would like to be in a position long-term to have access to the proposed Dalhoma Trail. 3 The City of Coppell would like to have access to Mclnnish Park. Jim Jackson March 30. 1995 Page Two I have spoken to Alan Beene. Director of Public Works. Dallas County. concerning this issue. Mr. Beene provided me with a history of the Bond Funds and the fact that at the time they were sold there was no consideration given to funding an on-street trail system. Even in our conversation, you indicated that Dallas County could be facing a shortfall of $20-$30 million to balance its budget in the coming year. Therefore. I am very much aware that Dallas County has financial concerns relative to its ability to fund additional items on the Sandy Lake Road bridge. As I stated in our phone conversation. I have been provided the name of Mr. John Eric Simmons, Chairman. Dallas County Open Space Board. I have a meeting scheduled with Mr. Simmons to discuss the City of Coppell's overall trail systems, both on and off-street, and again to reiterate the City's position that we desire Dallas County to reevaluate the long-term need for a trail system across the bridge. I will also be inviting the City of Coppell's representative to that board, Mr. Mike Cogburn, to attend that meeting if he is available. In speaking with Mr. Simmons in setting up the meeting, Mr. Simmons was very forthright in stating that Dallas County has taken the position that it will not participate in on-road trail systems. However, the City of Coppell still desires to pursue that option with the County. By virtue of this letter, the City of Coppell, at a minimum, would request that Dallas County evaluate the proposed bridge design to ensure that the bridge itself be designed in such a way that when the fifth and sixth lanes are added to the roadway, that additional width can be added to the existing bridge section to create a separate on-street trail system across the Sandy Lake Road Bridge. Any assistance that you can provide the City in ensuring that this takes place would be greatly appreciated. If you should have any questions concerning this issue, please feel free to contact me at your convenience. Sincerely, Kenneth M. Griffin. P.E. Assistant City Manager/City Engineer KMG: kb cc' Jim Witt. City Manager Alan Beene. Director of Public Works Dallas County CITY OF COPPELL NO. 0 0 ~ 8 7 255 Parkway Blvd. P.O. Box 478 CITIZEN ACTION REQUEST/SUGGESTION Coppell, TX 75019 (214) 462.0022 Dat~: _~/~-o/9/~ ~ R~lUeSt I-I Suggestion Address: NATU~ OF ~QU~T BY DEPARTME~: ~ Administrative ~ Pl~ing ~ Insp~ion ~ Sewerage ~ Engin~ring ~ Police ~ Anim~ Control ~ Neigh~rh~Integrity ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Drainage ~ S~itation Expl~n:~ ~$ ~ Per~n T~ng R~uest: eoooooooooooooooooooooooeoooooeoeoooeooooooooooOO Date T~sfe.~ to Dep~ment: Per~n T~ng R~uest Action: ~ate Com~l~n~t Noafia: +]~ ~a~ I~vaia Com~l~nt: Yes Da~ Retum~ to City M~ager's Offi~: ~im - ~a~m C~y