ST0501-CS081017
THE.CITY.OF
COPPELL
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Audrey White
Senior, Coppell High School
RE: Deforest Road
Project # ST 05-01
Ms. White:
I was reading the Dallas Morning News this morning and noticed that you had provided
comments in the Voices Forum concerning Deforest Road. Your comment was- "I take
Deforest Road, a short two-lane road in Coppell, to and from school every day. The road
is in the late stages of decay, not to mention that its hilliness makes it impossible to see
the runners and children that frequent the streets." Because of YO,ur concern about the
safety of a street in Coppell, I thought it would be appropriate to take the time to provide
you an update on the status of the reconstruction of Deforest Road.
I came to Coppell in December 1991 as the City Engineer. At that time, Deforest Road
was a two lane asphalt road very similar to how it looks today. The big difference was
that there was very little development along the road. There were several older homes,
the Coppell Service Center and a few mobile homes at the east end near Denton Creek.
Development on the north side took off in 1993. There are now over 200 homes on the
north side that use Deforest Road as the only access to their property. In addition to that,
there are numerous homes on the south side that also use Deforest Road daily.
The city realized that Deforest Road would need to be improved to accommodate not
only the vehicles, but also the various other means of transportation, such as, bicycles and
walking. There was a Bond Committee formed in 1997 to identify streets in Coppell that
needed to be improved to address the rapid growth of Coppell in the 90's. Unfortunately,
Deforest Road was not included on the final list. As growth continued along Deforest
Road, the City took steps in the mid 2000's to address the improvement of Deforest
Road. Finally, in 2007, the City secured funding to improve Deforest Road.
When reconstructed, Deforest Road will be a 28 feet wide (it's 22 feet today) concrete
street, sidewalks will be constructed on at least the north side and possibly the south side,
drainage will be improved to eliminate the ditches adjacent to the road and a signal light
will be installed at the intersection of Deforest Road and MacArthur Blvd.
The following is the current status of the project:
I) Funding secured in 2007;
2) Design contract awarded in October 2007;
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255 PARKWAY * P.O.80X 9478 * COPPELL TX 75019 * TEL 972/462 0022 * FAX 972/304 3673
3) Meetings held between the design consultant and the city in 2007 and 2008;
4) Public Meeting to obtain input on the design held on October 9,2008;
5) Acquisition of right of way to begin by the end of the year;
6) Utility relocation to begin in early 2009; and,
7) Reconstruction to begin by the middle of 2009. The project should be complete
by the end of 20 1 O.
Again, thank you for your interest in the safety of our streets. If you would like
additional infoffi1ation please don't hesitate to contact the Project Engineer, Keith Marvin
at 972-304-3679 I kmarvin@ci.coppc1l.tx.lls or myself at the contact information listed
below.
sini: tfAt--
Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E.
Director of Engineering & Public Works
Office: 972-304-3686
Fax: 972-304-7041
kgri ffin(a:;ci.coppell. tx. us
, Audrey White
, ,SernofjCoppell High
School
I take.Deforest Road,
a shorttwo-lane road
in Cappell, to and
from school every
day. Th~ road is in the
"ate stages of decay,
not to mention that
its hilliness makes it
impossible to see the
runners a'nd children
that frequent the
, street.