ST9401-CS 980721►' i
The City With A Beautiful Future
P.O. BOX 478
COPPELL, TEXAS 75019
C. Smith Jones, P.E., Area Engineer
Texas Department of Transportation
12000 N Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75243
RE: Detour route for Denton Tap Rd. at S.H. 121 Bypass
Dear Mr. Jones:
P.O. Box 478 7� /
Coppell, Texas 75019
972- 462 -0022
July 21, 1998
On Tuesday, July 14, 1998, Garreth Campbell, Kent Collins, and myself met with you and your staff regarding the
intersection of S.H. 121 Bypass and Denton Tap Road. Discussion was held concerning the different ways we could
remove the existing detour, which currently routes traffic down Highland Drive to Ridgemont Drive and the west
bound frontage road for S.H. 121 Bypass. It was determined at the meeting that the City of Coppell would install
temporary yellow lane markers on the north bound section of Denton Tap Road, between the west bound frontage
road of S.H. 121 Bypass and Highland Drive. Also, a determination was made that the City of Coppell would install
traffic barrels through this section to keep vehicles out of the inside lane and replace the traffic barrels on the north
bound side of Denton Tap Road, between the east and west bound frontage road. This letter is written to inform you
that the City will proceed with the detouring as we discussed. Enclosed is an exhibit for your review showing how
that detour will be situated.
There also was discussion, at the same meeting, on how traffic would be detoured through the TxDOT section of
Denton Tap Road when the TxDOT project is complete. It was your opinion that it would be difficult for TxDOT to
install the permanent white pavement markers on the north and south bound lanes of Denton Tap Road if the City
intends to detour traffic through this section. A preliminary detouring exhibit has been prepared showing the City of
Coppell's intention to maintain two-way traffic in the north bound lane of Denton Tap Road in Phase 1 of the detour
(see Exhibit A).
Phase 2 of the detour would be implemented when TxDOT opens the bypass. This detour would allow south bound
traffic to be on the south bound side of Denton Tap Road. Then when the south bound traffic enters the S.H. 121
Bypass intersection, the traffic will transition to one lane and detour through the west bound frontage road intersection
and on to the north bound lanes of Denton Tap Road. With this detour plan, I believe the permanent white pavement
markers can be installed by TxDOT between the east and west bound frontage road of S.H. 121 Bypass.
Since the City hopes to maintain traffic in the north bound lanes of Denton Tap Road as shown in Phase 1, please
comment as to any concerns TxDOT may have with the detour plans. Also, please provide any recommendations
you may have to alleviate any of those concerns.
Thank you for meeting with us and I look forward to hearing your comments.
Sincerely,
Michael Martin P.E.
Assistant City Engineer