Feb 16, 2022 Mobility Committee on 2022-02-16 9:00 AM

February 16, 2022 Mobility Committee

Full Transcript
12198 words Download SRT Download VTT
>> Good morning and welcome to this meeting of the mobility committee of the city of Denton. We have a quorum so we'll go ahead and get started. Items for individual consideration A, first is considering approval of the minutes of December 15. I'll entertain a motion. Why don't you go ahead and speak rather than make a decision. >> I move approval. >> We have a second? >> I second. >> Motion and seconded. All in favor say aye. >> Aye. >> Okay. Minutes are approved. Thank you. Item B, receive a report and hold a discussion regarding the city of Denton transportation/mobility project status report. Go ahead. >> Mayor Perotem, sir, Mr. Poulter is going to be removed via Zoom this morning so Logan is going to run the slides for him. >> Morning, John. >> Morning, everybody. My apologies. I was in transit. So I pulled over to make sure I was completely safe. >> Construction? >> No, I'm good. I'm safe. So the first project we're going to talk about is the plan for the city of Denton. If you can make it smaller for everybody to see everything, that would be good. Right there is perfect. >> Okay. >> So right now, if you will roll down to the next page, it's the text art report. This project is anticipated to be -- we were talking originally November, but if you roll down to the next page, we're thinking that it's probably -- what we're hearing now is October instead of November. And it's just because they're moving on the concrete and asphalt paving for the northbound lanes at a faster pace than they anticipated. So they're reporting internally to the county that they think it will be October when this project is substantially complete. Next project. So the 35E mayo project, the 35E layout, we're going to talk about that in a little bit more detail. So we're going to talk about that in a little bit more detail. So the 35E mayo project, the -- >> Excuse me, John, I just want to encourage councilmembers, since it's just frankly difficult for me to tell what you're doing up there, I'd say if you have a question, just go ahead and speak up. It can be a little more informal. And I think on the recording, our voices are distinct enough from each other that we'll be able to follow. Thanks. Go ahead. >> Okay, so the mayo project on 35, we're in September of '23, and we are anticipating those utilities to be completed by September of '23. And as you scroll down, you'll see all the utilities that we're working on. And everybody seems to be confident that they'll make that timeframe. And again, as we get closer to that September timeframe, we will be able to do a modification and a 10-year plan to move the dollars from the out year to the September '23 timeframe. And this, again, does all of the work from Mayhill through the brinker overpass and all the way to the loop, loop 288, the frontage roads. So it'll be permanent improvements on the frontage roads. So in the future, when we come back to do the ultimate someday, it won't impact the frontage roads at all. Next slide with more questions. The merge, we will have the right of way completed this month. There was one parcel left we had to get some paperwork worked out on. We've had our aesthetics meeting with TechStat and the city related to getting those aesthetics included in the plan set as they design the project. So we're ahead of the curve on this section of '35. And again, we've got August ready to let it to '23, and the money is in that fiscal year of September '23. So we're right on the number right there. That's a $400 million project. Next slide, unless there's questions. And the utilities are the critical path item here, but everybody's working together on it. Okay, the interim job, it's essentially open to traffic. If you'll scroll down to the TechStat report, the reason we still have it as an active account is they're still having to do some work at the 380 intersection to do some median striping and get the signal conduit set up. So once that striping and that signal adjustments are done, TechStat will close this project out and we can put a big green completed on it and move on to the next. And I've driven it, a lot of people have drove it. I feel like it is a safer section now. And I think it was a plan that, I think Becky came up with it. But good job all the way around for everybody. >> If you hadn't said that, I was going to say it myself. I also have the question, do we know, my experience also, it doesn't seem to be backing up there now. But do we know like objectively? Now we have two people saying, it looks like it's working. If we got any kind of other way to assess? >> Yes sir, so if you drive like going northbound, as you come around the merge into that situation, you'll see that they put up a sign. That's a yellow sign that says, congestion when flashing. And I've checked with Travis and TechStat like two days ago. And I've asked them, has that been triggered since the project was opened and they said, no. So it watches for congestion that was occurring before and they warn you and it hasn't been needed to activate since they opened the traffic. >> Wow, that's a great answer, thank you. >> Okay, I think I'm good on that one. All right, so 35 North. Again, we're in the right of acquisition process. We're almost done with that. It should be done by March of this year. We roll into the utility relocations. If you scroll down, you'll note that there are significant utilities in this corridor as well that need to be worked on. And we're looking at being ready to go by December of '23 from ready to let. And this is a $800 million job. So when it's ready to let, you may move one of the sections at a time because there's three sections here and they want to let them separately because if they go above a certain dollar amount, they have to do a design build and they don't want to do a design build. But we're moving on this project. It's on track. And let me know if y'all can't hear me now. I'll get closer but it will make my head look like a pumpkin. You're audible to me. Anyone else? Any difficulties? >> Yeah, John, we were having a little trouble hearing you from time to time so if you could just speak into the mic as much as you can, that would be great. >> I don't even know where the mic is on my computer. So I'll just face forward. >> It's usually at the top of the screen. >> Okay. On the 3520 Frontage Roads, if you'll scroll down, I think this is the one where we're having a little bit of trouble with maybe, yeah. So we were trying to finalize the contract with HNTB but since we submitted this report to y'all, TechStock notified us today or yesterday that they've terminated the negotiations with HNTB because they couldn't get to a number that both sides like so they are starting new negotiations with a new firm and I'll send out the electric, electronic version of this before y'all post it up on the website to make sure it's the most current information but they've terminated negotiations with HNTB so it'll be a little bit of time before we get somebody to do the design work on this project. And that's pretty much it on that. Next, we're going to move to questions. All right, this is the US 380 section under construction. Essentially, if you roll to the next report, I mean to the next page. They're fixing to switch over to the Phase 2 on this project because they're getting faster on the improvements on Phase 1 than they were anticipating so they're moving into Phase 2 quicker than they anticipated and so for the entire length of the project, they'll be working on the westbound side as well as the eastbound and the same on this project with the next contractor, the barricades are set. If you roll to the text that report on the next page. >> This one? >> I think you went past it. I think there's a page before that. Yes, right here. Oh, okay, yeah, so on mine we've got a construction report now for 380, no, no, I apologize, it's the next page. So on 380 east, the contractor is going to be working both in Phase 1 and Phase 2, but the Phase 2 is the 10-foot sidewalk and the temporary construction both on eastbound and westbound. So they'll be working on both directions of the road, but they're primarily doing the eastbound roadway improvements and the westbound will be the pedestrian improvements. So on the feasibility, we are waiting for crossroads and little land to respond to text that essentially they in the public hearing for the feasibility, they requested that an economic impact study be done to the impact to those communities for a loss of development along the corridor that is being proposed. But Denton County has met with both Little Elm and Crossroads and told them that they would cooperate with those two communities to find a new corridor for their economic impact study, and so they need to communicate that to TxDOT because we're conceding the point, the county is conceding the point that it is an impact, so we don't need to do a study to determine if there's an impact. And so once they turn those statements in, TxDOT will close out the feasibility study and we'll move into the environmental phase of the blue section. And just recently last Tuesday, Denton County hired Chico Cope to begin the environmental clearance for the brown section to add frontage roads to that section of 288. Unless there's questions, that's all I got. Okay, 288 West, this is the section further out. Our design concept conference on February 11th, basically setting up the parameters that which we will design the project by. Took a while to get it set up, but Chico Cope got their marching orders, and like I tell Becky from time to time when we talk, the county's driving the boat on this, but the number one stakeholder out there obviously is the city because all of it's city and you've got a lot going on there, so anything we do, we make sure that Becky, from the county standpoint, that Becky and the city are included in those conversations. Next, okay, 1515, we had our kickoff for this one on February 15th, and basically we began preliminary design work for the bridge layout, that's going to be the critical path item there by Bonnie Bray and 35W, and essentially we went ahead and started doing the design work in advance of our environmental clearance because we're fairly confident that the technical reports will be accepted and no major changes, so we're trying to buy some time on this project by speeding up the design before we get the re-eval done, so I think we're good on this one. Yeah, I think we're good. We hired half-associates for this project at last Tuesday's court, and we're working with them to get a scope and fee, and as soon as we get them on contract, again, this is primarily a city of Denton and Crum stakeholders, and so we'll include, the county will include both entities in the kickoff meetings to make sure that what we're doing is what everybody wants us to do. Next. All right, so this one, unless you got questions, you know, Becky, I think, is working with Travis, and we've got some calculations done, and we're just working through the best path forward on that, and I don't know if Becky wants to add anything to that or not. John, I believe you covered it. City staff has met in the field with TxDOT to review the construction that needs to happen on the roadway. We're working through that collaboration. Daniel Kramer is leading that charge from our Deputy Director of Operations for Streets, Drainage, and Traffic, so we're coordinating, really working through that process, so we hope to have that resolved in the next few weeks, but for sure, the on-the-ground visit has already taken place based on the cores that were collected for that area. Sorry, so what's the completion timing? There's currently not a completion schedule. What the process happened was TxDOT had to go out and complete cores along this area and actually do pavement cores to find out, you know, what was the actual surface below the asphalt top, so they've done that. They have presented that information to city staff, and a walk-through was held week before last, really to walk through that area, look at the pavement markings on the ground. Now city staff is evaluating that to make sure that we're in alignment with the proposed construction that TxDOT is proposing, being that it's not exactly a complete rebuild. It's a different process that they're working through. Once the agreement has been made between TxDOT and the city, then TxDOT will move forward with the design of those plans and then work through that construction timeframe. So until those decisions are made, city staff has not had that opportunity to set the timeframe. It's going to be based on TxDOT's schedule. Just to add to that a little bit, the path we're taking is a maintenance path because Travis is going to be able to get out there sooner and with the lesser degree of design work and if he goes through his maintenance, and TxDOT has agreed to use maintenance dollars to get this done. So we were talking, you know, 18 months or so to get it to where we can go to construction. We're talking about several months now instead of, you know, a year and a half. >> To go, to get to the start of construction. >> Correct, because the one thing that's happened since we started this opportunity is that TxDOT's kind of shut the door on any kind of turn back programs that reduce capacity. We're not reducing capacity, but TxDOT knows that they have, they're going to have to make these improvements whether or not the city then takes these projects off system. So they're less worried about the agreement between the city and the state now and they just know they've got to get the project done quick. >> And Mayor Perot, just for context, we're only talking about the portion that is south of Hickory where the recent pack four phases one and two project was completed with the water sewer and drainage in that area that's the specific area that I'm referring to with the comments I just made. >> Yeah, I appreciate that. You know, and I totally hear that we don't have timing because we haven't gotten to an agreement, you know, on exactly the plan objectives and so on. But can you know, can you just help us because we have to respond to constituents? Is it likely to be multiple years? >> No, sir, I think that, I think with this type of work and the fact that TxDOT is going to use their maintenance to do it, that we could probably, because they're going to know what, we're going to know what they think they want to do and we're going to press them to do, you know, 30, 40% more than that anyway, just our contingency. And then we think by spring we can have these guys rolling because the design for a rehab is far less difficult than the design for a reconstruction. >> Yeah, no, I get that as far as when to get started. And then is that, from that point on, what's the sort of, I'm sorry to, you know, be a bit of a problem. What's the sort of range of plausible outcomes for, you know, the end date? >> This type of work would be like months, I think. Not like a year, I think it would be done in a paving season. >> Okay, that's helpful to understand, thank you. >> And Mayor Pritz, we are going to be continuing to work with TxDOT to make sure that we're all in alignment. So part of the walkthrough process was to evaluate the areas of which TxDOT anticipated needed to be repaired versus the areas of which the city believed there were opportunities to also make repairs on. So that's a collaboration, making sure everyone's in alignment and we're in agreement with the construction that needs to happen, not only EGLE itself, but also Elm and Locust, like I mentioned, to just south of Hickory. And those agreements, once those are in alignment, then we'll work forward with making sure that they have that plan to actually execute that through their maintenance program like John is referring to. So we're still in the phase of making sure that we're all in alignment based on the data that's been collected because obviously, you know, there may be things that TxDOT didn't necessarily think needed to be repaired, but the city does think needs to be repaired, or vice versa. So it's not a whole, you know, from beginning to end that every single portion of those roadways are in agreement that need to be completely repaired when I say that I mean completely rebuild. So we're walking through that process with them. >> Yeah, I understand. You know, you get the gist of where I'm coming from, but it's just really hard answering the people operating those businesses along there. Anybody else? Okay. >> I think the next- >> Councilmember Byrd, I believe, is going to speak. >> Okay, I have it, I have it. I need for you all to go back to the slide that talks about the 380 corridor and the work being done up and around where the frontage road is, where the 288 going north, and I do understand that the work is proceeding on 380 and moving west, and I don't understand, I don't have in my mindset about how long will that particular portion take, is that the lit date that we see? >> Are you talking about the blue section across the lake that has ended the loop? >> The 380 project and going up to 288 and looping around. >> So you're talking about the feasibility, that slide right there, yes. >> That's it, yeah, 380 feasibility study, and I don't see any dates or anything on there, but I am wanting to just kind of get a ball figure idea of when will it finish up at the 288, 380 section, I mean, how long is this going to take? >> Okay, so I think there is a project that's under construction right now, if you'll move up the report to the, move up to the 2, 380s that are under construction, go for one more, keep one more, yeah, so this right here ties in, this right there ties into the loop with the interim improvements, and it has a December 23 completion date, so all the work that we're doing to add six lanes to 380 from the loop to 377, that work will be done December of next year. Now if you're talking about the eastern section, if you'll scroll down, we have a completion date on that as well, because we have the let date, so we're talking about January 22, they said it would be 36 months, so you're talking about January 25, 22, 23, 24, 25 for it to be complete, and that's adding the six lanes and the raised median and all the interchanges at Nabotel, Legacy, 423, and 720. >> Okay, okay, and then on that 288 portion of that project-- >> Okay, the one that goes around the, that we just hired-- >> Yeah, the loop, yeah, the north loop, yeah. >> Yeah, so if you'll go to the feasibility page-- >> Right there, that's it. >> Okay, so Denton County hired Pacheco Cope to do the environmental study to put frontage roads and turn that part of the loop into a freeway so that the businesses can attach to the frontage road and not directly to the main lanes, and we will have those people on contract in the next 30 days, and we are making, obviously, y'all are, from the county standpoint, that's where a lot of pressure from the city is getting, and so we'll make sure that we have PK very closely aligned with Becky and your development services as we move forward. >> Are frontage roads built first before the main part of the highway? >> So right now you've got the main lanes out there on this section of Loop 288. There's places in the other parts of the county and other parts of the region where frontage roads are first and then the main lanes come in, like on the Dallas North Toll Road, or it's like 35W where it's got main lanes and no frontage roads or we're coming back putting frontage roads on them or the loop, so it just depends on what people did back in the day. We're just trying to fix what's not there, which in this case is the frontage roads. >> Okay, thank you so much, I appreciate that. That gives me a better perspective of some conversations that are being had with some developers and you know, and just the growth more towards that way. I have a question here that a constituent asked. Is it okay if I ask this question? I don't know where it belongs in the conversation, but while I have the floor. She said, "I did have a question for Raymond, though," you know, I'm a teacher, I've got to throw my little commas and everything in there, I'm sorry. I did have a question for Raymond, though, if it could be asked, and the question is, "Due to a portion of Bonnie Bray being closed and number seven, I guess it's the bus route, is rerouted, are the bus stops from Panhandle to University and University going towards 35 being bypassed again, like they were a few years ago," so this sounds like this is apparently a DCTA question or city question. I didn't know where to put that in the grand scheme of things here. >> Sure, Councilmember Bird, we will take that question and work with Raymond to find out the exact locations that this constituent is referring to and get that question clarified, so that's not a problem. >> Okay, thank you very much. All right, my time is done. That's one from McGuire, anything else? You're ready to keep going? >> I'd like to jump in, Logan, you read my mind with this slide there, just to talk a little bit about Phase 2 on Elm and Locust and just make you all aware of the conversations we're having. We know there's a lot of complicated issues going on here, obviously we have the water/wastewater project that we're all hearing about, that part has been delayed for a number of years, we have the funding, we're ready to roll, we're just waiting on drainage issues and the road construction there. The drainage issues are significant, so we had a conversation with John just on Friday about how can we work with TechStock to look at funding for the drainage, where are we going to find other funding for drainage, because the drainage is kind of the linchpin to do a lot of the roadway and the water/wastewater project, so I think this is something, obviously when we have the turn back conversations and everything else, that we're going to be talking about frequently over the next few months, I'm sure, and just want to let you all know that we are actively working on trying to coincide all these things because they all fit together, and the drainage piece really is kind of that first thing we need to figure out as we move forward on those projects. >> Thank you. >> And the glossary of terms is the last page, so unless you have questions, that's pretty much it for my side of the story. >> You're not going to read the glossary? >> Only to put you to sleep. >> Don't say that, we were up late last night. That'd be a little too easy. >> Sorry. >> All right, well, thank you very much. Any other questions? Great, thanks, John. We'll move on to item C, receive a report and hold a discussion regarding the consideration of removing DCTA's wayside horn on Shady Oaks Drive. >> Okay, and I'll just stay up here because I'm giving the presentation. Good morning, hope everybody's doing well. Let me share my screen. All righty, so this is for the removal of the DCTA wayside horn on Shady Oaks Drive. A little background, in March of 2021, staff was contacted by a resident concerned about the volume of the wayside horn at the Shady Oaks Crossing. This intersection is currently a quiet zone implemented by DCTA. It is a quiet zone approved by the FRA. This railroad line is maintained by DCTA for the A train, and there are currently three DCTA wayside horns within city limits at Sycamore, Shady Oaks, and Mayhill. So we've been working with DCTA's consultant who also works with the FRA on the feasibility of removing the wayside horn. They confirmed that the wayside horn could be removed, but other requirements would have to be met to maintain the FRA quiet zone requirements. So there's a few ways that you can maintain a quiet zone, and you can implement putting in medians across so people can't cross the intersection, but due to Curly Street and the Longhorn business over here on the bottom part of the map, that is not going to be a feasible solution. So their recommendation is installing a four-quadrant gate. Four-quadrant gate systems are gate at the crossing that sufficiently blocks, fully block traffic, highway traffic, goodness, from entering the crossing when the gates are lowered, including at least one gate for each direction of traffic on each approach. So there are currently three intersections that have four quadrant gates in the city limits, Morse Street, Duncan, and Parker's Page Road. And then you can see over here what the four-quadrant gate looks like. So the cost estimate for installing the two exits and removing the existing horn is about $126,000. This is an estimate and depends on material costs, including design and project management costs. If the mobility committee chooses to move forward, funding considerations will be put during the budget consideration process. The timeline, so this will be once the wayside horn, or once we start construction, you'll get a 60-day notice, construction time, and then 20-day notice to establish that does not begin until construction has completed. So the next step is receive and address direction provided by mobility committee. So we're just looking for a recommendation from you guys on how to proceed forward. Just to clarify, this is just one resident who's reached out to us. >> I'm sorry, what did the resident say? >> They're concerned, so they live close to the Shady Oaks Drive Crossing, and they can hear the wayside horn, and it's very loud, and they're wondering if we can remove it. >> Oh, yeah, okay. I'm sure you've heard from more than one resident over the years on that. >> We have not. We have only heard from one, yes. That has contacted us directly and has been in contact with CMO. >> I can tell you that's like an applause line to talk about getting rid of that. I'll take questions and comments from other members, and I've got it. >> Vicki Burritt here. You all have actually received two, for sure, because I'm also one of those other people that have been affected by that horn, and I don't live near that area, but I know that I can hear that horn because it's a different sound, it's a different sound from when the, you know, the regular train comes through. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And so if I'm standing in my backyard, and this has happened to me several times, but because I don't live right there, but I know if I can hear that horn from where I live, others are just not, I don't think that they're just, or, you know, as annoyed about it as this gentleman is apparently, but I know that they're probably affected by it. I've heard that horn before several times, so I also added my name to the list of, you know, as a complainant. >> Yes, ma'am. >> So I would definitely like to, did you have any additional? >> Oh, I mean, I just want to lend my support to what I think you were about to say, which is you live pretty far from that. >> I do, I live pretty far from there. >> From that crossing, and if you can hear it, that's loud. >> I can hear it. 1230 at night, I'm sitting on my back porch, and I said I can hear that horn. >> Yes, and if you're hearing the wayside horn at that hour, it's because DCTA is doing maintenance on the railroad track, and they're required to sound the horn for safety reasons. >> Right, I understand. So I'd like to give direction for the city to move forward with that project. >> And I concur, I would also like to move forward with that. >> So I have just a couple of questions. How much would it cost to make the lane-changing, I forget the exact terms in the backup, but, you know, one of the options was doing this, another is, you know, there's a comment in the presentation about the medians aren't adequate, but what would it cost to do that, to make it so that you can't change lanes? My understanding of the basic idea of the four gates so you can't go in the wrong lane and get around the gate, but the other way to accomplish that is with like a deep curb, is that the general idea? >> Yes, so you extend the median on both sides, but because of the placement of, I believe it's curly, you're not able to do that. >> Oh, okay. Yes, so curly street is too close to the intersection and you have to maintain, I can't remember off the top of my head what the length of the curb is, or of the median, and you have to maintain that length to be FRA compliant, and because of where curly street is, we can't meet that. >> So it's a fiscal obstacle. Okay, $126,000 is a lot of money, but it sounds like that's the only option you have. >> Yeah, I join the majority. >> Okay. >> All right, I think anything else? We're good on, we're done with that item? >> I would just point out this was Logan's first presentation, so great job, Logan. >> Oh, hey, congratulations. >> Yay. >> So just to clarify, so the gate on the north side of the railroad tracks would be in between curly and the railroad tracks, right? >> I believe so. >> Oh, yeah, one other question. There's some discussion in the backup about the impact of presence sensors. Is it our plan to have presence sensors, or not, and it sounds like it must serve some purpose, but it sounds like they actually diminish safety, so that's what I'm asking. >> Are you talking about the FRA quiet zone requirements page? >> Yeah, yep. >> I'm not sure that wasn't DCTA's consultant's recommendation, so I will have to get back to you on that. >> Okay, sounds like, you know, most of the actions would be the same anyway to get the gates, but yeah, I'd like to understand. >> Yeah, I believe they gave us the most feasible option, both cost-wise and do-ability. >> Great, thank you. All right, I'll close that item and open item D, receive a report and hold a discussion regarding the project schedules and sequencing of construction associated with the different phases of the I-35 widening and Bonnie Bray reconstruction projects. >> Good morning, my name is Kyle Pettigrew, I'm a program manager with Capital Improvements and here to discuss the phasing between I-35 and Bonnie Bray and adjacent projects. Let me see, where's the share screen? First we'll go through an overview of the adjacent projects surrounding Bonnie Bray. So this map is a little bit zoomed out just to capture all of the projects, we do have it in an additional exhibit. So we have the I-35 city utility relocations, these are the relocations associated with TechStats expansion of I-35 from Mayhill to Loop 288 and then from the east-west split up to Milam Road. The timeframe of these improvements is quarter three of this year to quarter four of 2023. We have the Denton Municipal electric construction of the Hickory substation. This is a new electrical substation, it's on the east side of Bonnie Bray between West Oak and West Hickory. So the substation construction is from quarter four this year to quarter two of 2024 and they also have a small amount of duck bank construction in that area, underground duck bank, from quarter two to quarter four of 2024. We have the TechStat widening of I-35, so that's the widening and reconstruction that Mr. Polster reviewed earlier on I-35, again Mayhill to Loop 288 and from the east-west split to Milam Road. So their projects are slated for quarter four of next year to quarter four of 2027. In looking at this phasing, we discussed it with TechStat several times and we verified that traffic will not be rerouted along city streets during this time period. And TechStat is committed to maintaining their lane counts in the construction area during construction. So we have the quote of what they committed to below. Here's the Bonnie Bray reconstruction. So phase three, that's south of 35, that's the purple segment. That one is fully funded through RTR and utility funds. Phase four is the green segment from 35 to scripture. Design and acquisitions on that are funded through 2014 bond and RTR. We're working with the 2022 county bond program for the remainder of the construction funding. This project is in the same area as the current north-south Watermain phase three project. That's the project on Bonnie Bray installing the water transmission line. So north-south water phase three includes temporary restoration of the road surface for the south bond lanes where the water line is being installed. That's set to be completed by quarter two of this year and we're exploring options to expand that temporary restoration to the north bond lanes due to the condition that they're in until this phase four, the full road reconstruction is scheduled to begin in 2024. Phase five is from scripture to US 380. That's the outline in pink. That is funded by 2019 bond funding. That's utilized by phase six. So as phase six is reimbursed by TechStat, that funding will be used for phase five construction. And then phase six is from US 380 to US 77. That's the blue segment on the northern end of Bonnie Bray. So that's funded through utilities and 2019 bond and that is reimbursable by TechStat. So here's an overall program schedule. The top part of it includes the adjacent projects and the bottom section includes the Bonnie Bray reconstruction. So a few notes on this. The Bonnie Bray program will overlap with these adjacent construction projects until mid 2026 when Bonnie Bray is set to be completed. TechStat has committed to maintain their traffic pattern and a high level traffic study suggests that the I-35 construction will not have a significant increase of traffic on Bonnie Bray during that reconstruction. So Bonnie Bray phase four, we are working with the county bond to fund the construction portion. And then the further note that that pork pavement quality due to construction on the north-south water main phase three, we're looking to remedy that through temporary surface restoration that would be designed to last until phase four of Bonnie Bray begins in 2024. So then here's just a overall construction heat maps. So on the left we have 2022. Any line in blue is a City of Denton project. Any line in red is a TechStat project. So if you notice the blue lines, we have construction, the utility relocations over at May Hill and right by the east-west split of 35 beginning. We have the north-south water finishing up their temporary surface restoration and then phase six and phase three, the far southern end and the far northern end of Bonnie Bray beginning. Next year we would have all of the utility relocations for TechStat underway while phase six and phase three are fully underway for Bonnie Bray. 2024 we would be done with the TechStat utility relocations, but they would begin their work in red while we're finishing up phase three and six and in the middle of phase four. And then 2025 to '26 on the far right we have TechStats work completing while Bonnie Bray is just finishing up phase five in the middle. Any questions on the coordination between the projects? >> Kyle, if I could just jump in real quick, just a little context, I think, you know, we really looked at a number of different options when we came up with this proposal. We know that, I mean, and I think we tried to make it clear on the map, 2024 is going to be kind of a nightmare, right? I mean, we're going to hear a lot of comments. We're going to have a significant public outreach push to make sure everyone's aware of what's going on. But we're going to be fully prepared for questions and complaints and everything along with it. We looked at maybe phasing out Bonnie Bray and kind of extending the project, but really this was the best option to kind of rip the bandaid off and just do everything we can. So just a little context and all the work that went into this. >> Yeah, I definitely appreciate that and, you know, I think that this can be filed under growing pains. It sounds like staff has done the best they can to design a plan that will minimize those growing pains, but these are just the types of situations that we run into when a city is growing as fast as we are. >> I would mention too that one of the big decision points when staff, Kyle, myself, et cetera, worked with TxDOT and really understood how they're going to construct. Dallas District of TxDOT has a protocol that they follow. Kyle mentioned it, where they do not lower the level of service. So if there's three lanes out there today along 35, there's going to be three lanes out there during construction. And that really changes the way you think about that overall construction in both of those areas with those roadways and alignments. So that was a very helpful tool when we had that conversation with TxDOT really to bring that forward. Not every district of TxDOT does that, but that is the Dallas District's protocol. >> Councilmember Byrd, any comments or questions? I have a number of ma'am, but go ahead if you've got some. >> So the Bonnie Bray phases, I don't know, I mean, it's probably too late in the game to kind of bring this up, but, you know, obviously they're numbered from south to north, but they don't go in chronological order. Is there perhaps some way we can more clearly communicate that to the public, because that's going to be a little confusing, I think, to the public that phase four is going to be the last one to get done, not phase six. >> You have a problem with phase six being before phase five, basically being concurrent with phase three? I don't understand why it's confusing about that. >> I think that's a good point. We can think about that, especially on the public outreach. I think the numbers really were derived from the bond program, right, because we had the 2014 and we were looking at these phases, the opportunity to have six go first with the external funding really drove some of that, but I think that's a good point, especially as we are outward focused on how we message that. >> I was talking with a constituent one day, and every time I talk to someone, they're always talking about the roads, and so I thought maybe we would design a program and call it get mad, get mad again, then be happy. So maybe that might be something that will help put all of this in perspective. We're already mad, we're going to get mad again, and then we'll be happy someday. My question does go to the Bonnie Bray. It looks like it was coming along quite fine to me. I drive down Bonnie Bray here and there, and it looks like, you know, you can see the progress on it. And from a layperson's perspective, it appears as though it's starting to kind of wrap up. But as we look here, it seems like there's quite a bit more to go through with that project if we're looking at it. Of course, from top to bottom. So it appears to be okay, especially on the northern side where we're wrapping it up and then closer to 35. It looks like it's okay. So it looks like we'll have to do some media work on teaching and educating the public as to how it's going to go through. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> So I have, you know, some questions that, I don't know, they may be stupid questions, but the premise, as it was explained to me, I think by pre-TAM, who's on here now, by somebody, was behind the whole effort to do Bonnie Bray and why it's been so heavily funded by the state was precisely because they wanted it to be an alternate route while so much work was being done on 35. Now, if, as, you know, to me, this is like the big headline, but it's in the footnote, if they're going to keep the same number of lanes going on 35 throughout construction, so there really isn't a need for that, why are we doing it? And before you answer, you know, and, or get over being thunderstruck by the bluntness of that question, some of it clearly has to do with the high school under construction. How does the timing that we've been shown sync up with key dates for that? So those are my two questions to start with. Why are we doing it if it's not, if the original purpose is not, no longer needed? And is the answer in part the high school and development around that and how are we doing on that timing? So as far as why we're doing it, the work that's planned is an overall street reconstruction, which includes not just surface restoration, it's total removal of the pavement, it's repair of the subgrade and placing back brand new pavement. And the reason for it, especially down towards 35, is temporary repairs or surface repairs have a very short lifespan, so we can resurface it, but with the traffic that it sees, it will, it will need to be resurfaced again, you know, within five years. So with the overall reconstruction, that's a big portion of it. And then I believe as far as phase six with the, with the connection with the high school, there's a, that with the state funding and with the construction of the new high school there, that was the decision that pushed phase six to be constructed before the rest of the phase out of sequence. If I could just jump in and try to answer your question, I think to answer your question specifically, I don't, you know, the push that Bonnie and Bray wasn't for the temporary time while they're doing 35 construction, I think it was the long term to have that alternate route long term, not just during construction. So I think that's a difference in framing the conversation. >> And, okay, thank you for that. And then, okay, now I get that the reason six was accelerated so that it no longer makes sense to call it six was because of the school. So does that timing still work? I mean, I'm saying that because I don't know exactly what the timing needs are for the school. So are we still meeting that objective? >> I believe so. There's current capacity up there, you know, with the expansion of six starting this year. I believe that's going according to the discussed schedule. >> Could we, you know, maybe have a follow up note on that, just to kind of confirm that that's still on target? >> Yep. >> Appreciate that. And my last question is, I notice in the footnotes that it says that when they have temporary closures, which may occur due to demolition of bridges and a couple of other conditions, they say it will not go on city streets. It will use the TxDOT network. That means not Monte Bray, Locust and Elm, right? >> They, so whenever they have to do that, they'll submit a plan, you know, the TxDOT network that they have to reroute through has to be able to handle the capacity that they're planning to reroute. So they'll have to submit a plan. I know Elm and Locust are logical because they're close, but they might not be able to handle the capacity of traffic that TxDOT is needing to move, so it may, you know, be over towards Luke 288. >> Okay, because that, yeah, my reaction was that that would be sort of potentially disastrous. So there are alternatives that would be considered. Okay, good to know. >> Mayor Pritam, to that question, we will confirm with TxDOT that that's not their anticipation. I haven't been aware or had any conversations that an alternate route or an alternate location would be moving folks from 35 to Elm and Locust, nor has Kyle. So we will confirm that, but that's not what we understood from the information that we received or the conversations that we've had with TxDOT. They will look to have other locations that are TxDOT structures to move folks to and from. >> Yeah, it'd be great to hear what, you know, they think they might be leaning toward. That's all I have on this item. Anyone else have anything else? Okay, thank you. >> Thank you. >> So we'll move on to item E, staff report. All righty, so the first thing we're going to start off with today on the staff report is I'm going to ask Brett to come down and introduce himself. I'm happy to announce that we now have a new deputy city engineer who started on Monday. So I know you're all very excited, as you know, that our department was much needing this position for a period of time. And so we have a new deputy city engineer who started on Monday. So I know you're all very excited, as you know, that our department was much needing this position for a period of time. And so we are going to have Brett come down and talk to us a little bit about his background and give him an opportunity to introduce himself. >> Welcome, Brett. >> Thank you. My name is Brett Bourgeois. I'm the new deputy city engineer. And I come from California by way of Minnesota, have eight years of experience of design experience in California, then have about seven years of project manage experience. Just recently five of it up in Minnesota, managing a light rail project for Minneapolis and the city's areas and then just relocated here about two weeks ago and started on Monday. So I decided to be working here and getting to know everybody and being part of the city. >> We are really glad to have you and I believe you've picked a really nice place to live. >> Yes, I'm liking it a lot. It's very nice. It's nice to be able to cold, nice to be able to go outside year-round and enjoying everything that Fenton and Texas has to offer. >> Excellent. >> There's certainly no shortage of work for you. >> I know there is. Thank you. >> Thank you, Brett. All righty. So we'll move on to the staff report. Let me play a little bit of -- all righty. So first thing that we did, obviously, was introduce Brett. The second item that is currently on our report is to talk about the speeding concerns along Dallas Drive. I had some several Friday reports that we have put out, obviously, that y'all get a copy of and that backup information. You can see that there was a Friday report in October and then, of course, another one later in October and then another one that happened in November. And so just wanted to kind of bring up, and I'll go back to the very top, just to kind of talk through our action plan and our next steps. So, you know, during the last meeting that we had in December, you know, there was a request to talk about the speeding concerns along Dallas Drive. Reminder, Dallas Drive is a TxDOT roadway, but the following Friday report items really were the steps that staff has taken forward to prepare that information for all of you to address those speeding concerns. We've been in contact with the police department and we have regular meetings with them to really talk about what the speed studies show, what the information is that's collected and discuss what additional measures could happen or occur to help with those speeding concerns. I will tell you that Nathan, I know I've mentioned this before, is leading the citywide speed study effort and this roadway has been added as a part of that and we think that will give us a good idea based on the data collected and he has a number of collection points along this roadway. And so we are anticipating, based on that information coming back, then looking at the speed limit of this particular roadway to see if any modifications need to be made in coordination with TxDOT. Until that, obviously, I know we've talked about the date for that to be completed and then come to share that with council. And of course, mobility committee would be late August, early September and so when we do bring that forward, we'll talk about if there's modifications that need to be made in this area. For now, I guess I should mention of course PD will continue to enforce the concerns and I know a lot of the concerns that have been mentioned, just recently we've had that conversation even last week with PD and they put some additional measures out there to look in those areas where folks are exiting 35 at a higher rate of speed and then of course it goes down to 45 immediately to 35 and then in some areas all the way to 30 as you come through town. I myself have received a speeding violation on that roadway about 20 years ago so I understand the concerns and know how hard it is at many times to, you know, obviously take your foot off the gas. And you have to stop blaming yourself. That feedback sign on Bell headed northbound like just north of Dallas Drive is that gets me every time, every single time I go past that sign, I go, oh my gosh, I'm speeding. Right, it's definitely hard to realize so just I wanted to mention that just simply because obviously we understand the concerns, we're working to address those. We know that we're going to continue to hear concerns in this area, want to take that time to put this as a part of the speed study to see if there's additional improvements that can be made. Also understand that as 35 changes in that area and some of those intersection connections change in that area, it'll also change some of those exit and on ramps. Same, you know, same thing happens as you're trying to leave Dallas Drive to enter 35 in that left lane configuration. I know we also get concerns about that too so just wanted to bring that forward. Talk about the next item. The next item we discussed on our last meeting was the intersection of Parkway Street and then Locust and Elm. I know we mentioned that of course James in the back. James is up there, yes he is, there he is. So James and his staff, I think I mentioned this to you last time, I mean literally on a Thursday night we're out there working to get speed, I mean sorry, stop signs deployed. Obviously as you're traveling southbound on Elm they now have that red flashing light that notifies you of the stop sign in that area and Nathan along with James, those groups have worked together really to talk about what our next steps are. Staff has determined that a roadway diet in this area would be feasible so we're going to be looking at taking Parkway to one lane in each direction with some bike lane that will really take us all the way around to the park to Schmitz I believe is the name of that roadway so really helping with that repurposing of that roadway which will also slow down some of the traffic in that area so just wanted to bring that up. These will be intersection enhancements and really pavement markings and signage so no roadway changes per se besides those frivolous extra things like the markings and the signs so I wanted to bring that up to you. >> Excuse me Becky. >> Yes sir. >> Do you happen to know what is the crash history when it was signalized and then at the various sort of treatments that it's had since at those intersections? >> I do not have that data. I can obviously collect that data. When I became aware of the situation of course the signals were already removed and it was non-signalized and it was just that stop obviously at Parkway as Almond Locust had that full through traffic pattern but with those additional stop signs you know obviously we're still seeing some crashes but I can collect that data based on what recollection and what's in the system from the police department without an issue. >> Yeah, if it's not too difficult I think it would be just good to know what we're aiming for and whether what we're doing is being effective or not. >> Sure and I would just mention and I know I mentioned this again last night you know folks have to get used to the new patterns that's the reason for the flash on the stop sign you know many folks travel that area every single day and it may take them some time to make that muscle memory of that intersection in that area so keep in mind that we have seen some crashes just as we traverse between the transfer of no stop signs as an all-way stop from just a two-way stop so you know we will see some of those types of crashes but we'll work with PD to collect that actual data. I will have to go back and have that data performed just to see when the signal was there and what happened, why it was removed and then work through that process but we can bring that back as an update at next month with that additional information for you. >> I think that'd be great you know and so my expectation would be you know shortly after you make any change there are incidents and then they should go away right. >> Yes, sir that would be our hope. >> Yeah okay that'd be interesting to see thank you. >> No problem sir so the next item that was mentioned at the last meeting just to follow up was the read at the Roodell Street widening concerns obviously in the Friday report on January 14 there was really an update of that didn't basic services center proposal. I wanted to just highlight that one of the focus areas was the Fulton property which was located on Roodell Street and that obviously we're still in preliminary plans of Roodell Street extension and we're working through that 30% design which is completed in that area but working through that final funding before we would move forward with that project really just that that's on hold at this time as we work through those next steps I know there were questions about that particular area and how Roodell and Mingo intersection would traverse through that piece of property so just wanted to refer you back to that Friday report. >> Well if any the question you know that I was present for me was to have a reconcile really just to get a shared point of view from staff between your department and development on whether that project is critically needed or not and I was hearing from Jane who was referenced here that supposedly Ron Mangida has said oh yeah that's not a problem at all so you know a very different point of view so what I'm really looking for was the consensus staff you on the on how compelling the need is for the widening project. >> Yes, sir and I have gone back and discuss with development services and planning department. I'm not sure that the information you received is actually the information that was conveyed and it is a planned capital project that's a part of the overall a CIP and it's a bond project that was put through with the bond program in 2014 and it is anticipated that definitely that's an area in an intersection that needs to be improved at Rue Dell and Mingo and then connect back into the existing roadway infrastructure and that is the location that was currently selected of course if you know council just makes a decision that they no longer believe that that's the the right approach and of course staff will take that information back and receive that determination but I do not believe that the way that that information was conveyed to you was the actual correct way that it was conveyed and it is shown on our mobility plan and it is a approved project to the 29 or 2014 bond program. >> So at some point will there be a discussion of council about the original rationale why it was on the plan and what alternatives would be if we didn't do that or you know I just there's always conflicting needs and we have to weigh how compelling each is right so. >> Sure, yes, sir, I would anticipate that that type of conversation would come up during the tiny home village conversation. I believe that scheduled for council and I'm going off memory for late March. >> So we'll hear the transportation aspect of that at that time whatever that is. >> Yes, there and there will be representatives, I'm sure from all different departments discussing impacts or concerns questions, etc. As those were all listed as a part of that overall RFI you know that was submitted and work through the process so my anticipation is those types of questions would come up during that conversation. >> I'm just just a note we're scheduled to discuss the RFI on April 19th April 19th OK, I'm sorry I was going purely on memory so I appreciate that. I know originally it might have been in March and was moved or okay, so thank you councilmember McGuire I try to keep those dates in my head, but I can't remember everything so I appreciate that. >> Are we too much to keep in your head and how you do it. >> All righty so let's go back to the last part of the staff report which let me see and then I'll share. So that was actually the last item we had on the staff report and so let me go to the second exhibit I'm going to be pulling that up for you and let me share that just so we can. All righty minimize that sorry there's a lot of different screens open, so I'm trying my best to share so I apologize Sir, I know it's it's hard when you're remote to to make sure you're seeing everything so so good. I wanted to make sure so this is our overall staff report that we've really worked through the process on the first item was the construction sequence for Bonnie Bray and plan that plan timing at 35 widening. I do believe that we have you know produce that information for you call me that presentation today there may be a few follow-up questions and what I would recommend is with those follow-up questions we just have that apart as a staff report next month. If you're in concurrence of that. >> I find that me other members any everybody not OK with that they're shaking their heads and giving you a thumbs up so OK. >> As I could not possibly see that yes, Sir, I know I've been on your side presenting and it is definitely difficult to see the Dias or on the paisley Street Roodell intersection questions. You know I think what we would bring back for you is that actual information you requested with the crash data just have that as a part of that staff report. As the I'm sorry that that's specifically related to the item that we just talked about which was Roodell so I'd like to remove that simply because I'm. Well, you know. >> It's because we have a different item so councilmember bird that's the I'm sorry I saw Roodell and I immediately went to that project that's listed for that later in the so my apologies that paisley Street Roodell Street intersection that was the curb project you asked us about that we gave that report on in November. As 17th so we would like to request to remove that unless you have additional questions. >> Your Mike's not on. >> Your Mike's not on councilmember bird. >> They're very difficult today to get. >> They're probably overused from last night. >> I'm sorry paisley Street in Roodell intersection curves. I don't see where they did that could be closed nothing's been done in that area. >> Well, what we were asking is to remove it from the staff agenda because it was something that we discussed with you if you feel like we still need to do some additional information on it and we understood the concerns were working through that with other capital projects that are in that area if there's something that you're asking additional for us to bring back other than what was put in the November a 17th report that we wanted to make sure we brought that back to you if not we'd like to remove it from. >> Yeah, I I just needed some clarification should as to you know why it's being moved so yeah sure yes, yes, ma'am. >> All righty we will remove that from the agenda of course that there's additional questions we're happy to answer those all right now moving on to item number 3 which was the Parkway locust intersection. Mayor protein, I understand you'd like to see some crash data when it was signalized when it was not signalized and then that current condition with some time frames and we'll have to give us how long it's been with the this the 4 way stop condition always stop condition so we will bring that one back to you with that additional crash data. So the the 4th item the speeding concerns along Dallas dry were requesting also to remove that item as it's a part of the citywide speed study and will be further discussed during that August to September time frame. >> Objections. >> And then the final item is the redel Street widening concerns we also are requesting to remove that one from the agenda being that it will be a part of the April 19th tiny home discussion at that time as that's one of the the possible locations and we'll discuss that roadway project at that time. >> Objections I actually kind of do have an objection, I think that we need to have some information. Some more information about that before the April 19th, okay, sure what time information are you requesting I just you know, maybe not not for this committee necessarily, but if you can include in a Friday report prior to April 19th something about you know what what the history of of that project is as far as the bond funding and the design phase that move forward and and where we're at now and you know visuals of what what the proposed alignment is sure just so we can have that information going into the April 19th conversation because you know full disclosure, I I suspect we may need to find a different location for that project but and and so we need to be prepared to have that conversation on April 19th. >> Sure that absolutely we can do that so we'll remove it from this agenda and then we'll include it in a future Friday report and we already have the majority of that information prepared so that's that'll be very simple. >> And I don't know if it's a you know sort of asking too much around the scope or you know, it's just chill till the 19th, but the the part I'm most curious about curious about is not so as much the status of the funding planning, but the rationale for the project what what was compelling about it and and what the alternatives. >> Are yet if if any are needed, but like I said that may be coming April 19th, but if you want to you know share any of that least the historical aspect why I was compelling. You know that would be interesting to me. >> But you know I I we certainly will and there's there really is a lot of history to it right because it was part of the 2014 bond program we've had funding issues it's been it hasn't been a priority obviously in previous iterations so we have a lot of history so I think we can walk it all the way forward even in more detail of here's here's a rationale when it was approved in 2014 here's been the considerations up to this point and where we stand today, so I think that's a perfectly good exercise for us. >> Okay great. >> I think I'll explain that why behind what you're asking mayor pritam so. >> Super yes, sir. So you're about to ask if people have other items would like to introduce I am good guess, yes, sir, yes, yes, sir, so are there any other items that mobility committee has that they'd like to bring forward for us to discuss at the future meeting. >> It would be there would you would dear would yeah, sure if we could have a conversation about that in the future there would kings row. You know in light of the complications that we're going to be encountering soon. >> That's not a problem. >> And I you know, I think having that discussion prior to that small area plan prioritization will be good too in advance of them. >> Yeah, great. >> Anything else anyone else. >> I just want to make sure that I'm on the right track. >> And also the through through lanes are through neighborhood, the Southeast neighborhood. They were having issues in regards to trucks coming through to get over to business that are over on Duncan Street. Yes, ma'am and they're missing that turn and they're going to have to go back and look for that turn to get over there. So I guess we'll need some kind of update on that. >> Sure we can do that and we have made some modifications in that area, but if we're still receiving the same complaints. We will work with Daniel Kramer screw. So yes, ma'am okay. >> Also I know for sure that a sign needs to be replaced or cleansed. When you make when you're coming up on Dallas Drive and you're going north on Dallas Drive. You make that left turn into Duncan Street and then there's a sign on the side of the road that says Duncan Street and then it says Shady Oaks, Shady Oaks. No way down. And then there's a sign that says Duncan Street right there for you know visitors to make that left turn into Duncan Street. It's just corroded. I don't know. You can't see it. And so maybe that might be when appears to be fairly small where maybe our drivers could actually look to see where Duncan Street is. It might be very helpful. >> Sure, James is here today. I know he's listening. So definitely will will look into that item. That's not a problem. >> All right. Thank you. That's the only thing I have. >> Mayor, kind of a follow on you know, Councilmember Byrd has asked over the months, you know, but different specific streets in Southeast Deton. But then we have this 2 minute pitch from the mayor about how do we look at Southeast Deton speed. And I just that got approved and I'm just curious to know what does that entail then? Is that something different? I mean, is that different from the citywide speed study? What would the next steps be on that? >> Sure, we're currently working through that process with the public works team streets operations, Daniel Kramer and Ethan Cox, general manager, really coordinating that effort. We also want to make mention of those roadways that are going to be a part of the citywide speed study. So that we have that recollection and knowledge to share with y'all of the information that we're going to be collecting in that area. But that is something that's being worked on through that process. So it's something we will have to bring back to you when we're ready. We're not quite ready yet with that level of detail and level of information. We could possibly be ready for the next mobility committee meeting. And if so, we'll bring that forward as an individual item. If not, it would be at one of the following meetings after that timeframe. >> Okay, great. Just so we get, you know, whatever degree of update you're prepared to give, you know, when we get together. >> Yes, sir. >> That's all I've got. So unless there's anything else, last call. We'll go to concluding items. You could make whatever your last thing is that you just thought of a concluding item. Anyone? >> Nothing. >> All right. Thank you, everyone. And Billy, thank you very much for accommodating me being remote. >> Absolutely, sir. Have a nice day. >> Have a good week. >> Bye-bye.
Back to Meeting