Good morning. Welcome to the mobility committee meeting. Seeing that we have a quorum present,
we'll begin with considering approval of the minutes. I'll entertain a motion. After the
minutes of September 11th. Okay. Minutes are approved. I must confess to you that I've
been approached a couple of months in a row saying we don't really have any action items
is it okay if we don't meet and we're meeting if you're not happy about being here you can
blame me because I asked for the agenda items that we're talking about for when we don't
have action items that there are things that we can keep making progress on and I'm looking
forward to a good discussion. So one of the first ones is item B. Oh, you have to vote
on the minutes? Okay. All in favor of approval of the minutes? Aye. Approved. Now item B.
If you -- it's to receive a report, hold a discussion, provide direction on the metropolitan
transportation plan policy bundle, a program in which applicants can receive transportation
development credits. And you may recall that we had this item before and we gave direction
that this is a pretty good list of ideas and that we should first of all see if we can
meet the requirements, but also in general, you know, keep chipping away at it. Not stopping
ourselves necessarily at 10, but just seeing if there are other good ideas we might want
to adopt. So anyway, happy to move forward in here. Okay. So my name is -- traffic engineer
for the city. I'll be the new staff liaison for this particular committee and -- welcome
and congratulations. Thank you. And for this particular item, I would like Katie to present
the item and then if there are any discussions, questions, we're more than happy to answer
any questions. Can y'all hear me okay? Bring this up. Okay. So we've got -- okay. Good
morning, committee members. Thank you for being here today. My name is Katie Welch and
I'm from the capital projects department and I'm going to be giving an overview on the
metropolitan transportation plan policy bundle. So to begin with an overview of what the program
is, the north central Texas council of governments has a metropolitan transportation plan that
they call mobility 2045 that lays out a blueprint for how the region will meet the transportation
goals and needs over the next 20 plus years. And included in this metropolitan plan are
recommended policies, programs, and procedures that they encourage public entities within
the DFW area to pursue in order to help meet these needs. The council of governments however
knows that infrastructure projects alone are not going to help completely meet the needs
and the goals over the next 20 years. So they kind of came up with this program in order
to encourage cities to voluntarily adopt these recommended policies. So the way the program
works is that applicants who apply, if they meet at least 50% of the policies like you
were saying, then they get something called transportation development credits. And what
these credits are, are they can be used to help offset local funding matches whenever
we have transportation projects that require a local match that are federally funded. So
these credits will be used towards the local match and we'll end up saving the city some
money on the project throughout construction. So that's just an overview of the program.
But today we were going to go into the different policies, where we're at with them, and some
next steps on how this application process works. So there's a total of 21 policies in
the program. And in order for the city to qualify to get the credits, we have to meet
at least 10 of them. And as you can see up here in all of the different colors, these
are kind of the categories they span. There's 11 different topic areas that the policies
fall into. And the way that we've broken them up to present today are going to be policies
that we are currently satisfying in the city and that all we need to do is gather documentation,
but we'll be good to go for submission. We have a category of policies that we're most
likely satisfying. We need to confirm with the Council of Governments that what we're
doing will meet the criteria of what they're expecting, just to make sure when we submit
we're not missing anything and we end up not getting the credit for it. So those are ones
we have a couple questions on. And then we have a set of policies in this program that
we may or may not be already doing as a city and we need to do some further research into
in order to see what our next steps will be to fully check them off the list.
So we were going to start today with the five policies that we are currently meeting. All
we have to do is gather documentation but these are going to be ready to go. They include
having a clean fleet policy in place, which we do as a city. Engaging in school siting
coordination, which involves the city, local independent school districts, and then TextDOT
meeting together to talk about future growth plans, which the city has engaged in. So we've
got that one ready. Engaging in storm water management practices for sustainable storm
water management. Having transit funding, which means we're contributing to our local
transit authority. We do that. So we've got that one check marked. And then having an
idling restrictions policy in place, we've got that one good to go as well. And I'm kind
of briefly going through these, but if you have any questions about specifics or what
more information stop me and we can go into more detail.
So these next eight are ones that we're more than likely meeting, but we want to coordinate
and confirm with council of governments that what we're doing meets their requirements.
So I was going to briefly read through these. We've got copper theft, parking management,
safe access to schools, railroad safety, land use strategies, clean construction, complete
streets policy, and something they call transit funding level two. The good news is that if
we get confirmation that we're meeting these eight, that puts us at 13, which means we've
got the 10 required ones off check marked off and are above the 50% threshold. So next
steps are really going to be confirming that we've got these. And I think that will get
us through the finish line for the application.
So if we meet more than the 50%, say 13, say we end up getting 20, do we get any more funding?
I was wondering that too. That's something I need to confirm with council of governments
because I was thinking that would be good if it worked that way. So I can get back to
you on that. Any other questions on this slide in particular?
>> Seeing none.
>> And then these last eight policies are going to be ones that we're saying we may or may
not meet. Really what that means is we either have partial activities in place that are
going towards these policies or we don't have anything at all, but we need to do some more
internal research within the city to see what we're doing, work with cog to figure out what
our next steps are going to be and kind of get a timeline in place to see if we'll get
these before the April deadline, which I'll get to in the next slide. So these are going
to be urban thoroughfare revitalization, traffic integration, traffic incident management,
city oriented development, wrong way driving policies, securing transportation infrastructure,
employer trip reduction program and unmanned aircraft system policies. So these eight,
some of the next steps for these are going to be determining next steps for what will
make these whole and then kind of prioritizing which ones we want to pursue and working with
the committee to see which ones we're interested in, what we want to try to get on our application
for the spring deadline.
I thought I remember hearing in one or another legislative briefing that unmanned aircraft
systems are going to be regulated at other than local level.
You know, it's interesting you say that because someone had mentioned to me that this one
may or may not stay on this list for the 2019 policy bundle program. This is, they haven't
released the official application yet, so this is kind of information we have working
with them up until that point. So that actually may be why someone had said that. So that's
good to know. They said they should be releasing the official list in the next couple weeks
and that everything will stay the same except that one may or may not be on there.
So we can provide an update once we get the official list.
So going on to the schedule for this application process, so within sometime this month of
November we should be receiving the application. We've sent in our request, so as soon as they're
ready to release we'll be on the list to get the application. And it will be due in spring
of 2019. They haven't released the official due date yet, but they, in talking with Council
of Governments, they said that more than likely March 2019 will be the early deadline, April
will be the final deadline, so it gives us a month to submit and then have any questions
addressed if there's any problems with our application. So that's kind of what they're
saying is going to be the schedule as of now. And so in the meantime, what our next steps
are going to be between now and spring is finalizing the documentation on the five that
we know we're meeting, working with Council of Governments to confirm the eight that we're
pretty positive we're meeting, tying up any loose ends, if there's anything we may be
short on, gathering that documentation, and then those last eight that we have, determining
next steps and kind of prioritizing which ones we want to try to get on that application
as well. So we'll submit in spring. They said it'll take a couple of months to review applications,
determine funding levels, but around May of '19 we can start talking with the Council
of Governments about which transportation project or projects we want to use these credits
towards and start getting that on their radar. So that'll be the process. And that's what
I have for you.
On the process, because I do see, and I know that some of these items are from various
departments, so will the responsible department be the one that is going to reach out and
see if that qualifies, or is there going to be one person in charge of the application
doing all of these things, just for clarity?
It's going to be one person in charge of the overall application, coordinating with the
internal departments, coordinating with COG, and making sure all of our loose ends are
tied up and everything we have is together. So there'll be staff contacts, but one person
managing the information.
Yes, there will be one project manager that keeps tabs on everything. That way you're
not lost in translation pretty much.
Right. And so my follow-up question to that, if there is something within the eight that
we think we are, will there be plenty of time to get those documents or policies to Council
for update or amendments if there's something that we need to change?
That's a good question. There may be time. We're going to assess through December, so
we do have three months to get it on the agenda and see if there are some ordinances that
are required to put this in place, to get us across the line, at least for the first
hand. Definitely we'll make an effort to get it done.
I do think in the next couple of weeks we're really going to hit hard on working with Council
of Governments to determine next steps. So ordinances we have in place right now that
we think are from 2015, for example, that we think will get us there. If we find out
otherwise, we'll make sure to prioritize that as one of the first things we do.
So clearly to respond to the incentive, your priority is clearing the five and then the
eight, and we can lose three and still secure the credits. But what I hoped that we might
do in this session is to see among us, staff and the committee, see if the others that
are the ones that just on their own merits, we just think are good ideas worth pursuing,
and maybe if there's some that we feel more strongly about than others.
So you're talking about the last eight that we're talking about. Can you pull up the
slides so that we can... Because we've previously given direction
that yeah, if there's things we already meet and we can get money, we're in favor of that.
So this is beyond that. Are these good ideas that we would just like to take as suggestions?
We can go through these if you want and give you an update on where we're at with each
of these eight. We've got some notes on partial activities we're doing. So if we want to start
with the urban thoroughfare revitalization... Maybe if you wouldn't mind touching on sort
of what's the objective of each one? Of each one, yes. Okay. So for this first
one, it's implement land use and transportation programs and policies to revitalize and redevelop
aging infrastructure to provide context-sensitive solutions for urban thoroughfares on the state
roadway systems and other important community roadways is the description they give.
Yeah, what does that mean? I know.
Context-sensitive... So quick answer to that one. It's a pretty
long discussion, but are we communicating or integrating our transportation solutions
with the land use? That's the bigger picture. Are we working with the development community
and with our planning department so that we have the right type of mix of land uses that
contributes towards the transportation system that exists? In a sense, if you have a Elmond
Locust, in future, whenever development comes along that street, when we're planning Elmond
Locust, can we plan bike lanes or can we plan wider sidewalks with the new development and
land use coming in place? So that's... Are you taking big picture and making sure that
all your land uses and the transportation system lines up? That's the context-sensitive
nature of the design. So what would count as evidence of our doing
that? And so the reason this is one that we need
to do a little further research on is we have mention of context-sensitive solutions in our
comprehensive plan, the Denton 2030 plan, and then we also redevelop our aging infrastructure.
A lot of our capital projects are doing that right now. So what we need to do is work with
development services and see if we have any formal policies in place. I believe this is
one that needs governing body approval, so something that's been approved by our council,
our comprehensive plan has. So it's just going to be a little more coordination with development
services, determining what they're doing, working with council of governments to determine
does this meet the criteria? So a bit more research than that previous eight that you
had seen up there. So on the engineering side, we did take to
council our transportation criteria manuals, and that really ties the complete street portion
on the transportation side. So yes, we have some components on the development services
side and some components in the transportation side. All we have to do at this point is are
these enough and fit the CAWC criteria? That's the only thing that we're going to look into
and see if they're accepting that. If not, then if there is a formal ordinance or what
is required, and that's why this is on this list where we don't know yet. We don't have
enough information to make that decision. >> Any other questions?
>> Well, just more of a comment, that we are also working on the zoning map update, which
kind of when you see thoroughfare revitalization, it feels like that kind of hits on that a
little bit, and so I don't know if that would -- if that needs to be passed or not ahead
of time. >> Do you have a comment, Todd?
>> So to go in line with what you're saying, part of what goes with the zoning update is
the master thoroughfare plan that we're creating and updating this year. That would be a big
component of that, because that's really where you address the context-sensitive nature of
these corridors, as you specifically stated in that plan. This is the process we'll utilize
for design as we go through putting these projects in the ground, and you lay out the
groundwork for what does that look like. So we'll visit those cross-sections and what
do they look like, not from an engineering sense but from a true visual and contextual
sense, what are those elements, what are some examples, how does that get rolled in, and
then that would go back to council for approval. >> So it's kind of like the complete streets
objective? >> It is. It is absolutely the complete streets
objective. >> Okay. So part of what I'm listening for
is to describe these as, you know, will it actually lead us to -- like, we don't need
extra brownie points, but will it lead us to do something different that, you know,
is constructive and sounds like it would, and that's actually one of our eight things
we agreed to work on, you know, through a treat, so, okay.
>> Awesome. >> Carry on.
>> Okay. So the next one we have is called integration.
What this has to do with is integrating all of our traffic operation systems between public
sector entities, including the sharing of data and video is the description they give
for this particular policy. So the thing that we are currently doing that
we think may get us a check mark on this one is the Waze initiative.
We are currently right now with that kind of looking at the risk assessment of data
sharing with -- through this Waze program and are going to be working with our risk
management and legal team to kind of get a risk management plan in place, but we're thinking
that may be what we can end up pursuing to check this one off.
>> But again, not in terms of, like, the brownie points, because the checking off doesn't benefit
us anymore, but in terms of the substantive, you know, policy benefit, it's what this might
spark us to do. This is all a question, like, did I understand
you. The thing we might be doing is integrating
with Waze. >> Yes.
And sharing traffic data both ways. >> Some of the other things that we're doing
that would fall under the same category is we build out our fiber optic network with
IT. We integrate all of our signals with that.
That in and of itself wouldn't get you there, but what it does is the agreement we have
with TechStop where we'll integrate their system with our system so that they can see
the corridors along I-35. Most communities have some kind of arrangement
along the interstate system where they're already doing that.
So items of that nature would also come into play here.
We're also looking at, you know, another potential would be with the rail system as we put in
quiet zones, we also put in video and audio monitoring so that we can actively understand
when the horns are blown. That would be something we'd add into that
system as well. >> Okay.
So the next one is going to be traffic incident management.
This one is implementing comprehensive and coordinated approaches to traffic incident
management. And they say requiring a comprehensive coordinated
interagency approach to traffic incident management in the North Texas region, including tracking
performance measures based on regional definitions, collecting data and monitoring progress.
This applies to local governments, they say, that responds to freeway incidents.
>> So Todd started talking about this. This is coordinated with TechStop and making
sure us as a local government responding to emergency, you know, services or, you know,
accidents or any of the -- anything on the freeways or the TechStop highways, how prepared
are we and what is our plan and how do we communicate in an efficient way?
So putting that traffic management center, connecting it through fiber, monitoring it,
once we have that in place, we're already working towards it, and then we can better
communicate with TechStop and/or other cities that are responding to the same incident on
the border or somewhere in the whole region. So yeah, at some point we will address this,
but with the traffic management center not ready, we're not there yet, but definitely
we're working on this. >> The next one is freight-oriented development.
So this is in regards to enhancing freight-oriented land use sustainability by requiring local
governments to adopt compatible zoning requirements in properties adjacent to freight-oriented
development areas. >> And what is the goal of the freight, you
know, focus in this? >> So this is more in line of -- when you're
looking at a transportation system overall, one of the largest components is freight.
How do you deliver goods? Are you using rail, which is one of the major
ones, air, water, or the last one is roadways? So if you're really dependent on the roadway
system and truck traffic to deliver that kind of goods, that means you're not really better
planning or differentiating or making an effort to have a full, complete street segment in
there. So you're more focused on delivering goods
through a street network, but on our end, what they want to see, and most of these local
agencies do, is do they have a freight plan? Do they have different options for freight?
How are they addressing that? So we do have some type of land use and freight
integration on our west side of the city by the airport where there are railroads coming
in, there are connections, nodes, as well as the airport is right there, and then our
land use lends to it as far as warehousing, manufacturing, industrial, that helps integrate
that piece, and we're planning in that direction. So that becomes our freight area and freight
corridor, and that's separate from our entire other operations and other use of our street
network. >> Take pressure off of the street network.
>> Correct. >> So the next one is wrongway driving.
This is basically having these policies in place that prevent wrongway driving accidents,
and one thing that we need to do further research on is work with our police department to kind
of get some data on the past eight to ten years, how many wrongway driving accidents
have we had? Do we have policies in place already that are preventing this? Mechanisms
in place that are preventing this? So that was going to be our next steps on this item.
>> Wouldn't getting rid of one-way streets fix that?
>> Actually, this policy is more focused on freeways and roadways, more so than local
streets. Our internal arterials are not so much the target. It's more of the crashes
that occur on highways and freeways, where the speeds are really high if you get in the
wrong direction, and what are the different things that you're doing to prevent that at
the ramps, on ramps, and that's the real focus of this particular one.
>> So not Oak Street? Okay.
>> The next policy is going to be securing transportation infrastructure. What this one
focuses on is are we participating regionally in the identification and development of a
security plan for the top ten regionally identified transportation infrastructure components is
the description they give. So basically, are we coordinating regionally in helping contribute
input to a plan for securing our major transportation mechanisms throughout the region? And so we
need to speak with council of governments and kind of see what opportunities are out
there. We haven't really had that conversation yet, so that's the next steps for that particular
item. Did you have anything to add on that one?
>> No, I think that's pretty simple. >> The next second to last is employer trip
reduction program. This is basically working with council of governments to have some education
programs here within the city to encourage employee trip sharing, ride sharing to work.
And so that's just another one that we need to reach out to council of governments and
see what opportunities are out there for us. >> I would also recommend our economic development
department and we also have the economic development board who has the chamber and the university
and a lot of the high employers sitting on the board, and so getting some information
out to them may be a good start as well, the way to get that out into the community.
>> Okay. Thank you. And then -- oh, yes. >> I was going to say on the employer trip
reduction program, I'm not sure if the program that DCTA has just recently started out by
the airport -- on airport road would qualify for that or not, but it's a possibility.
>> That's something that we are checking with Cog. I thought it did, but we'll see. It does
look into how can we reduce the number of people that are taking cars into that particular
area, so it does have some -- >> So of these -- we'll leave the last one
off, right, because we don't know if it's going to stay on.
>> Oh, yeah, that's true. >> But, you know, so these -- the ones that
-- how can we help you -- well, first of all, do we, you know, like this list? You know,
are these things that we actually want to work on? And then which of these actually
require some new policy development? From what I'm hearing, like, yes, the first one
is complete streets, integration is the ways thing, so you might need to be bringing that
back to us. And sounds like employer trip production program would be a new thing. The
others are -- this is all a question. The others, it sounds like it's more a question
of seeing if we happen to be aligning with what they're interested in anyway to get extra
points, but, you know, where can we help you by giving direction on policy for something
new that you weren't already doing? Is there anything?
>> I think the employer trip production program is something that we need to look into. Definitely
we need more research time to get -- understand what's required and what are the policy implications
so that we have better understanding out of these eight. There are five that really need
a council action or really need a policy in this initiative that's lacking within the
city. Once we get to that phase, I think at a later date, most likely around February
timeframe, we can have a better idea on these. Obviously we'll have a better idea of the
remaining eight and move forward with that part, but these will have a better idea and
research to complete it so that by the time we apply, we're already working on these.
Better idea would be bring it back and say these are the five that we need more direction
from the council. >> I just want to add here that a lot of these
that we see would make our air quality better. And so I am in favor and a proponent of that,
and I think it would just -- a lot of these implement in our key focus areas across the
city as well. >> There's double benefits to both reasons
to do the policy. >> To the extent that we're beyond the requirements
for the credits, you know, I personally wouldn't feel all that constrained to make sure that
it meets what NCT cog wants. That's a good thing, I guess. But if we want to do something
that we think is better or, you know, I don't feel we need to feel constrained by them,
it's just, you know, we can feel inspired by them by seeing their list. But, you know,
I think it's more important that we do what we think is great policy for Denton than that
we necessarily check the box on these. >> I would agree with that statement and I'd
say the other thing is there are more than just this policy bundle that these particular
items affect at cog. There are other recognitions that go out that we can apply for. It's not
just trying to get these transportation credits that these affect. They affect many things
across the board at that level. >> So have you gotten what's gettable today
that would be helpful in moving forward? >> Yeah, definitely.
>> We'll sit tight and wait for you to come back?
>> Definitely. >> Yeah, thanks so much for reviewing this.
Have you presented to us before? >> This is my first time.
>> This is your maiden voyage? >> Yes, thank you for your time today.
>> Congratulations. >> Thank you. I appreciate that.
>> I'm going to go ahead and escape out of this. Are you up next?
>> Okay. So we'll close out that item and move on to item C. And this is another one
where you're here because I've held you hostage. You know, my request to Preetam was that we
-- especially when we don't have other pressing matters, look quarter by quarter or six months
by six months at the confluence of text odd plan projects and our plan projects to see
where, you know, there might be problems that we should be communicating about or that we
might want to change. I don't want to end up in a situation where I'm knocking on people's
doors and they say I complain and they just tell me it's the other department. So let's
look forward. So with that, item C, receive a report, hold a discussion, provide direction
on the status of Texas Department of Transportation and city of Denton capital projects.
>> Thank you, Chair. And as Chair Meltzer mentioned that we had a brief discussion. What was -- what
conversation did he have with Mark Nelson who was the previous staff liaison about this
particular item. And what I got from the discussion I had was how do we overlay -- it's more of
a how do we present a big picture on the schedule of when these big capital projects that the
city has will be under construction along with all the big projects that text odd is
working on and kind of start laying out the timeline overlap, understand the traffic impacts
where would traffic be impacted and give a big picture. So I'm going to start with a
brief description of three of our projects that's a start, but we're going to expand
at some point and towards the end of the presentation, their next steps. But I'll talk about three
of our projects and then how they integrate or overlay with three of the big text odd
projects that are either under construction or will be soon in the next six months.
This project, this particular one is Hickory Creek Road. We've already completed design.
It's out to bid. And by February 2019, we'll go out to construction on this project. We
don't know currently how far our dollars will stretch. So depending on the alternate bids
that we have, we might end up -- the first segment would be green and then or some portion
all the way to River Pass. So there are different components. It may end at Montecito depending
on the bids that we get. But definitely this portion, the first segment on the east side
where it connects to 2181 will be under construction starting February 2019 and it's almost a two
and a half year project and it will be under construction. So that's the first one. Next
one, big one is vintage Boulevard. It's called Bonnie Bray Phase 2. The way the funding is
set up through RTR, it was connecting to Bonnie Bray and that's why it's called Bonnie Bray
Phase 2. But vintage between I-35W and 377 is another one that will be starting construction
in the fall of next year right around the end of or beginning in midsummer kind of deal.
And then the construction is another two years on this particular project too. And then these
are the small transportation projects. This is the third one, Dallas Drive at Teasley.
We have started construction, some part of it. Initial message boards are already out
there. And then it's a smaller project, three month construction period. The next one that's
right at the tail end of it and that does affect other projects that are going on on
tech stock is Colorado and the Loop. We're currently working with the bank to make sure
their accesses are restored by the time we're done with this project and they get enough
access. So that's scheduled to begin in February and in April. It's a two month project. These
particular projects are capacity enhancement, adding turn lanes at each of these intersections,
making it better, improving traffic flow. So the overlay, this is the first project,
Hickory Creek. >> Can you go back to the --
>> Absolutely. >> So the Dallas Drive Teasley Lane, I'm pretty
excited about that. I think it's going to be great when it's done. But of course you
hear comments and you listen. I don't know if you're aware of those. If you could just
address, because some people say right now that they wish that the I-35 project could
be done first and then I've also heard this is the only way out of town right now or that
the timing just doesn't seem right. Can you address that? Because from what I understand,
there's another timing aspect where this needs to be complete before something else opens
to help the traffic flow. So if you could just --
>> Correct. So there are a couple things. Interchanges, if you look at the big picture
here, there are -- I can open up a -- just for discussion purposes, I can open up a map
because that's always a better way. So if you look at the overall big picture, currently
there is construction on Brinker interchange way down here. The Loop 288 interchange is
under construction. This ramp, particular on ramp is closed. That's why all this traffic
is now almost diverted to this one interchange. People have learned over the last few months
that 377 is an alternative. So a lot of them go down 377 and get onto the freeway as much
as they can. So these two currently are working as the main interchanges for the city, especially
on the south side. It's very congested. The next thing that is -- so this particular textile
project is going to go on almost -- current schedule, they're saying is July 2019, which
we don't think is realistic. It's most likely going to be towards the end of next year,
which puts us in a whole construction mode for another year for this particular area.
The other thing that is also happening is U.S. 377 south of 35 will be soon under construction.
They have led the contract. There is a pre-construction meeting this month. They're going to start
with the utilities portion of it, which means they're not going to touch the lanes. They're
going to work on the side, similar to what they did on FM 2181. They're working on the
side on the ditches. They're not really touching the main lanes of travel. So this is not really
going to impact the traffic initially when they're working on the utilities. But in the
next three to four months, once they're done with the utilities, they will start working
on some of the lanes. And once that happens, then we've lost the window to do anything
at this intersection because that was our window where this is not going to happen for
end another year. This is starting soon in the next few months. So this is our right
window where we just get in and get this thing done or go through the pain. I mean, I understand.
I'm in the same boat getting in and out. I use this intersection every day. So it's a
matter of we have to go through the growing pains, and it's going to be better. But we
have this really slim window. This project is two years far. And so that's why we are
trying to push. And we understand that there will be some congestion to that end. What
we're doing is if you look at the construction plans, there is a lot of curb work here, which
won't really impact any of the through lanes. So we're making sure that all the curb work
is outside and not really impacting the capacity or the ability for motorists to make the turns.
So that's one area that we'll be focusing on initially, phase one. Phase two is working
inside. And we are trying to make sure that that happens off peak hours when there is
not that much traffic or if required, some night closures. So that's the direction we're
taking to make sure we alleviate construction pains while they're going.
I'm sorry to be a little dense, but it would help me if you spelled it out. Why is it important
that this not be done at the same time as 377 or the 35, that segment of 35?
So what is happening today is this interchange is experiencing all the traffic.
Yeah, I get why that needs to be done. It's horrible.
So this backs up all the way to this intersection. And at this particular intersection, there's
traffic from all directions trying to go to the freeway. And one of the issues is as a
relief for this interchange, this functions a relief wealth. So people when they really
are making a decision right at Bell and Eagle, some of them do use that route to get under
the freeway and some of them continue using that. So if this is also under construction,
that relief wealth is gone at that point. And we're only focusing on one interchange.
That made it much easier for me. Now I understand. But people bring it up. I can say for now,
consider going out 377. That's great.
Any other questions? I can go back. I think that covers a lot of the points in the presentation.
So let's go back to Hickory Creek and FM2181. They are going to overlap. FM2181 is currently
under construction. And they're barely wrapping up the utility. So it will be under construction,
lane widening in this particular area by Hickory Creek. At the same time, we're starting construction
early next year on Hickory Creek. So this is an access or a major connection for all these
residential areas and neighborhoods. So there will be traffic impacts associated with it.
We are trying to make sure our traffic control plans and plans for shifting lane traffic
and making sure that our Hickory Creek is accessible throughout the construction. So
making sure that traffic flows through this particular area during construction. But at
the same time, when these two projects are going in, there will be some traffic bleeding
into the neighborhoods and using the streets. Is there a sort of best alternate route that
we would recommend to people living north and south of the Blue Line?
Todd has an answer. So part of what we develop with every one
of these projects is a detour route. Now, no detour map is foolproof until traffic actually
hits it and people will try to find alternative routes. One of the things we would encourage
anybody to do, because I can't control a person's mind and where they want to go, what we can
do is try to encourage that behavior as best as we can. And then we are actively engaged
in the construction phase. Please contact the project manager, contact Pre-Tamari, and
we'll get the right people out there. We'll go look at it. Usually these construction
detour maps and phasing, they become very fluid because things you just don't think
of, they occur during construction as people start to divert around it. We try very hard
to plan for that up front. We give maps and signs and try to route that traffic around
to the most logical place, but people do find alternatives on their own. As soon as we hear
about them, we get engaged with the police department if it's necessary, or we get out
there and we start making shifts to signs, add signage, do some other things that we
need to to make sure that we can lessen the impact on those neighborhoods. But it is something
that we are actively engaged on construction projects. We just don't let them go and go
tough.
>> Yeah. And I get that. And, you know, I've experienced many of your clever detours. But,
you know, just as in the previous example where, you know, it wasn't obvious to me,
but that, like, maybe through social media it was just the suggestion we put out, like,
hey, think of going 377, you know, instead of Teasley right now, like a kind of plan
ahead kind of thought. You know, I wonder if there can be part of public engagement where
we just communicate. In other words, you're sort of at the last opportunity to make a
different choice when you get to the detour, right?
>> So part of what we're dealing with is could we have done these things earlier? Yes. If
we had been engaged in a lot of this earlier, your conversations with the public would have
been a lot more often, a lot more frequent, and we would have gotten some of these comments
that way. A lot of these projects are going to construction and hadn't had that put into
it. So projects going forward, we'll have a conversation all the way throughout the
design process, much less right here, right before we go to construction. We do have on
all these projects public meetings that we will be going out to the public to address
what is our -- what do we have currently for our detour routes, our maps, looking at them,
get feedback from folks. We can accommodate where we can and we absolutely want to because
these folks do know where their routes are. I mean, I know my neighborhood and the way
I get to work, I know that very well and I know the side streets. Some of the folks that
drive through the area don't. So that's where the routes, these detour routes, these detour
maps and the signs that go with them, yes, we want that feedback. We haven't had the
lead up time on some of these projects in an effort to get them out the door that we
would have liked to have had. Going forward, we've learned we have to talk more frequently,
we have to communicate back and forth more frequently where those issues and pinch points
for you, but we also have to understand that it's not going to be free flowing like it
is today when going to construction. It is going to be difficult for a while, but we
will do everything we can to absolutely try to make some kind of accommodation where we
can. I think I'm saying a different and easier thing because you're talking about hearing
the input, which is very good and very important and all four. I'm just saying even when you're
right on the brink of it, just for messaging out helpful tips on plan ahead, alternate
routes, you could tell them that day, you know, just as a kind of -- that's what I'm
teeing up as a suggestion. And, yeah, like, could we -- you're looking at me like I'm
from another planet. Is that sort of reasonable? And I think that is something that I know
we're working with PIO on. I know we're working with our public information office with is
exactly that, where we can have something that does come up more on a -- hey, I know
we're going to have some construction impacts today that weren't there yesterday so we can
release that information as early as possible or even better two or three days ahead of
time so folks are aware of them. It's coming. It's just tougher to get to immediately.
But I'm just saying just to go one more step, not just this is happening, but here's some
suggestions. What suggestions are you talking about?
Like go through 377 instead of Teasley or whatever you suggest people here do. Consider
planning your trip -- trip planning. Consider planning going whatever way to the west.
We probably are saying the same thing. To me, when I'm talking about a detour route
and detour maps and doing them up front, it's exactly that. It's looking at it from a regional
basis and not just, hey, by the way, there's a road you got to turn left here. It's getting
broader. We haven't done that in the past really well. I mean, you look at that in some
of the areas where we have some signs out today for maintenance work, they show up all
of a sudden and then, you know, if we had known eight blocks ahead of time, we could
have pushed somebody this way instead of oh, my goodness, you're right on it now.
But I think what we can do, in addition to what Ty is doing, they're creating those detour
maps way ahead of time. It's working directly with PIO because a lot of it is based on -- could
be weather related. If the project was going to start on a Monday, but it's rained and
so they're not going to close the street until maybe Wednesday, then it's more about pushing
those detour maps out literally right on the brink of when the road is going to be closed.
So it's kind of front of mind to the user, whether it's on social media or the website
or whatever the case may be, a blast, an email. So I think we can do a little bit better in
getting the word out right up to the brink of the project or the road being closed so
that the traffic, the community public is alerted.
>> I think we'll sort of stand or fall on the public size based entirely on this.
>> Right.
>> During this period. There's so much going on.
>> And it is good conversation. We're coming back to council, the entire council, on the
7th, to fold in all these city projects that are folded in with the TechStop projects and
our overall communications plan is we're looking at doing a special citizens newsletter that's
outside of the norm that highlights all of these projects and gives a little bit of descriptor
with the map that will be mailed out to the community and again continue to reinforce
those communication efforts because things will change. Once that thing is printed, if
we have a lot of rain, it's already outdated. So we're going to have to continually update
that in a digital format.
>> Just a comment that I think the waste thing we were talking about earlier is kind of what
the solution would be for this type of last minute redirection. So just a comment there
that, you know, there are tools available that once we start using them will definitely
help.
>> And it may be just as easy as just encouraging people to download the Waze app just so you
have the latest and greatest.
>> Yeah.
>> Again, not to endorse something, but that is something that the COG I know is working
pretty closely with to get that information real time. So those detours and those notifications
online or excuse me, on your phone are done while you're driving and in a safe manner,
of course, but while you're in route.
>> Can you go back one slide?
>> Yep.
>> Because I travel this area very frequently. And have we looked at -- I know it's part
of the future construction project between 2181 and 2499, a stop light at Hickory Creek
and I know it's part of that project, but right now that would create a huge relief
because that traffic gets back to -- that's a turn I don't make intentionally. I will
find a way around that, that it would route people away from the 2181 and give them an
easy way to get back out to 35.
>> Correct. So that's a separate project, Hickory Creek East, and we are including a
traffic signal design. We're looking at that particular -- as part of the design. So once
this design is completed and it goes to construction, that signal will be implemented at 2499 and
Hickory Creek.
>> And have we looked at potentially trying to get that in place sooner rather than waiting
until that construction to allow 2499 to become the relief for 2181? Because right now there's
not -- you've got Robinson that goes across or you've got to go all the way down to the
bottom that's right now under construction.
>> So that is a possibility. They're working on the warrants analysis. Once we have that,
we'll send it to TechStat. And TechStat needs to approve that. But we can expedite to an
earlier stage the signal. So signal can be a starting point.
>> Last I heard there had been 15 accidents at that intersection already. So it's warranted.
>> Wow.
>> And since that road only opened in April, that's not a very long time period to have
that many accidents.
>> Yes, and that's why that lane collider is in place. We've worked with TechStat to
put that in place so that they get out safely.
>> How far away are we from, you know, from being able to consider executing a Waze partnership?
>> We're at least three to four months out. One of the biggest challenges is how are softwares
that are integrated. Towards the end of the presentation, I'll show you a map. We have
some type of database and software that projects on a map. It's GIS based. Translating that
into what Waze requires as far as their data and pulling that into their system. So IT
is looking at what kind of information we share, what is the risk associated with it,
and then what kind of information we get back and what is the risk associated with that.
So IT is looking at the risk and the legal component. So I'm thinking it's going to be
more than three to four months before we can actually say, yes, we're ready to launch this
app immediately. In the meantime, we're working on this map and we're thinking of launching
this on our website so that way it's more helpful to have some kind of picture or create
some newsletter. So we have our own steps, but the ultimate goal is Waze.
>> Is there anything that we can do to create more resources or, you know, anything that
would make that happen faster? I think it's a very exciting, you know, kind of silver
bullet. I really appreciate Councilmember Briggs pointing out, you know, maybe the obvious,
you know, that if that were a formal partnership and we're communicating to the public, that
we're going into a historic, never quite seen before period of road construction activity
and we want to get everyone through it, you know, and here's something simple you can
do and it answers all of these things, right? You don't have to have a separate communication
effort about each one. You know, that sounds like a really easy thing to communicate. So,
yeah, what can we do to help? >> Let us check. Let us check and we'll work
on that. Let staff work on that and we'll see what we can do to expedite that.
>> Okay, very exciting. So, yeah, carry on. >> Yeah, I think I have a couple more integrations.
This is Vintage and this is in the later part of next year that Vintage Boulevard will be
under construction, but US 377 is already under construction. The reason these are connected
is Vintage is the last connection between I-35W and 377 to get in town. Else you have
to go through the Y and then go back south. So Vintage is a connector and definitely the
traffic on Vintage as well as 377 is somehow connected where it provides a route for people
coming from the south using 35W. So, both of these will be under construction and there
will be certain impacts. We will definitely have detour routes and we'll make sure that,
I think there is a Crawford Road on the south and there are a couple earlier exits work
with TXDOT to make sure we have the right detour plans in place. The last one, I think
we already talked about this in pretty detail. This is the small transportation projects
and the I-35 interchange project. So, if you have any questions, I want to really get to
the next steps. All right, so what we're not looking at and there are certain other CIP
projects, if you focus on this particular area, there is a FM 1515 project which is
currently under design. We don't know the schedule as far as construction goes. It's
a TXDOT project, but we're working with TXDOT to make sure that the alignment, the facility,
everything aligns with what the city wants. Better connection in this area as far as connection
to all the businesses Peter built and obviously the airport at the end. And then along the
same line we have Bonnie Bray which is a multi-stage project. Currently it will start, the work
will start on the utility side. It's a north-south water main and then after that it will be
followed by the roadway project. So, this is coming soon. McKinney will be under construction
pretty soon, early next year and Mayhill is already under construction. So, I wanted to
bring this to light that there are other projects going on in the city. On top of all the street
maintenance projects, these are smaller street maintenance projects where it's either reconstruction,
rehab, mill and overlay. So, there is some construction going on where the traffic will
be detoured, traffic will have other routes that they need to follow. So, in the big picture
what we're trying to focus on, I'm sorry, you have a question. Yes, on the next six
months it says, so from Hinkle and University on up, that's all in my district. So, except
for just that one little area over off of Westway is District 2. My question is, have
all of these already had the utilities moved and wastewater and water and they're just
waiting, they're on a list for the streets? By and large, yes. Windsor is a little different
because we have put both the water, wastewater and streets bundle into a, we've bundled
them into one overall project. That will get bid out to a contractor who will then do all
three components, but they'll do it continuously as they move through the neighborhood. And
so when it says next six months, that just means a start within the next six months and
not completed. Correct. Correct. Alright, thank you. So then looking at the big picture,
if we start overlaying some of these projects, almost every entry point to the city is under
construction. Yeah, so that's kind of a big deal, right? That is a big deal. And our ultimate
goal is to have something like this with individual name tags, meaning this will be under construction
from this point to this point, understanding what overlaps each other, and then also creating
some sort of detours or understanding what are the options that residents should start
using in particular areas, focusing on single areas. Are any of these things, like when
you look at it with the overlay, does it suggest that we ought to sequence some of this a little
differently or are we just grinding the city to a halt? That's a careful balancing act
because what you're seeing here is what's going under construction in the next six months
and not what we're looking at going under construction in the next 24 months. Yes, that
is something we're evaluating, but it's a much bigger task than just what you see on
these maps. That's what I wanted to look at each quarter by quarter. So we're looking
at it, we meet weekly to have exactly that discussion. What goes out when, because there's
so many other factors that go into it than just purely construction itself. It's right
away acquisition, the utilities being in or out of the way. This is an interesting mix
of priorities to try to juggle constantly. So yes, we absolutely evaluate construction
schedules as the idealistic priority one when we want everything to go, but then there's
always something that comes in next. Oh, TxDOT is now slid their schedule back six months.
Okay, now we're pushing everything. So it's a constant menagerie of things. We're struggling
really hard to pull all this together, but it's something we'll be doing and we can bring
as a quarterly update. What does it look like now? That's problem identification. Okay,
we're sealing off the city. Good thing, bad thing. You decide. What do we do? That looks
hellish and basically where the lines cross. What do you do? Absolutely. We're working
through that. It's not easy. I mean, we have spent quite a bit of time and I do not want
to- It's an ambitious plan. It's an ambitious plan and I don't want to lose sight of just
where we started a year and a half ago where we had no plans. We had nothing. We weren't
going anywhere. We didn't even know how much this was going to cost. So we are there and
you're asking exactly the right questions, which are also the same questions we're asking
questions. How do you do this in a way that one, we're going to make people mad. Absolutely.
But two, how do we kind of mitigate that as much as possible? We are also seeing on here
what you don't see on here is what are we trying to get ahead of? TechStat is not going
to be done in a year and move out. They're going to be done with what you see on the
books right now in a year or two years and then they're going to move into the next phase
of I-35 construction, on the next phase of 380. So they're going to be here in our pocket,
in our back door for the next five to 10 years working on these things. What we're doing
now, yes, is painful, but we're trying to get ahead of the curve and not go through
what you've seen other communities much larger than us, like a Fort Worth or Dallas, constantly
go through right now where I got to catch up with these major expansions as TechStat's
doing the work. And then we don't have any relief routes. So the city then engages in
after they're already in construction on these major interstates in that construction even
worse than what we're dealing with right now. So it's not going to be fun. You're asking
exactly the right question and I appreciate you making us ensuring and holding us accountable
to toe the line, to really reach out to the public, make sure they understand it's not
fun for us either to try to balance all these things, but it is a challenge and we welcome
the opportunity to make that happen as a team working with the community, not against each
other.
I can tell you what people usually say. You're talking to someone who really agitated to
get a lot of stuff going. So I get the irony. But I know what people say is how about finish
one thing and then do the next, right? That's what they say to me. But part of what I'm
hearing you say is yeah, but there's eight things behind this.
Exactly.
We are catching up a lot of things that have been in the backlog. So it's more of we have
a crunch timeline. We have a specific timeline for delivering all our bond projects. So it's
more of we are trying to sequence it more appropriately in different parts of the city
and in concert with whatever's happening with take stop facilities. So yes, a lot of stuff.
And as Todd alluded to, there was a lot more projects coming in. There was a Mayhill interchange
and the bridge project coming in pretty soon. And it will be under design. So a lot more
take stop projects will continue in this area. And we're trying to make sure that we have
other routes that would relieve or provide a relief already constructed in place, example
Bonnie Bray when the 35 goes in.
So I just want to say that I really like seeing all the blue because I do hear, you know,
I know that it's going to be frustrating, but I hear a lot of my car is broken thanks
to your streets. There's too many potholes. My street has been, you know, looks like a
third world country for, you know, years. Why aren't you doing this? And I mean, I see
on there, you know, I know that the Kings Row section is going to be there. I mean,
I see things that are actually getting done. And for me, I mean, I appreciate that. Four
years on council hearing the same thing over and over again, you know, finally being able
to say, you know, look, here is our plan. And this is what we're going to do. And it's
going to be painful for a little while. But, you know, so I just wanted to say thank you
for doing this. I know we're going to have some issues with traffic, but I do think that,
you know, taking care of a lot of the streets within the city is a really big deal.
And I think the other thing too, and appreciate the statements and comments and everything
is taken to heart. What you're seeing here is a different team of folks in a different
approach. And so working that in working in a collaborative fashion with not only the
engineering, the folks on the boots on the ground, the operations, the community, the
folks that communicate, working with the public and the businesses. I mean, it's a full effort.
And again, it's we're making so many more strides today than we did just 18 months ago.
And so some of that is, I mean, I commute through these streets as well and those alternate
routes, you know, luckily I've got a, you know, kind of the hotline to this guy. Like,
why is the street closed at 8 o'clock or this lane of traffic? And so he hears it from me
on a very frequent basis, but it is we're so much further along. And because we were
behind and have been behind, it is about playing catch up. And so, you know, when we came to
council back during the budget process to need the additional monies to make, to finish
out the bond program and it's, you know, city manager said, we're going to make everybody
mad. And that's unfortunate, but that's the only way we're going to be able to get those
projects completed as timely as we can because time is money. The longer we wait, it's going
to cost us more. And we don't want to come back to the well, to the council. So we've
got to get these projects out. I know they're being very aggressive, getting these things
bundled out. So all the suggestions are great. And again, those detour maps, the getting
with PCO and make sure that those things are communicated as frequently as we can get those
out. And because these guys need to be working on project management and we need to let the
experts communicate and work hand in glove with those efforts.
>> I was going to suggest, what would you think about just, you know, providing with
a little bit of presentation this map to the public engagement committee? Here's what's
coming. I can tell you why. Help. >> Like I said, we'll be bringing this along
with what Jessica and her team is working on for communications to this next -- obviously
not today, but the following is the 27th of November. And then if we need to bring it
to the committee on citizen engagement, that's absolutely possible. We certainly can do that
with the same presentation. >> Yeah, I'm sure they feel happy to be included.
>> Absolutely. >> By the way, who's the room manager here?
Just want to know, when do we need to clear so they can change up the --
>> I think it's probably before 1130, right? Or 1115?
>> Yeah, okay. I mean, I don't think we have a lot more to cover.
>> No, I don't. >> Okay.
>> Yeah, well, just kind of a question or comment on this, because the title says projects
under construction and several of those aren't under construction yet or they'll be starting
in the next six months, I guess. One project I don't see on there is Forest Ridge, which
was supposed to be spring of 2019. >> Okay. I can check on that one. I'll make
sure it gets on the map. >> Okay.
>> Yeah, I think what we're trying to do, this is a GIS-based map, which feeds actively
every single project that goes to construction through our software system that tracks these
projects. So we're trying to get better in presenting the information that we already
had and staff knew at the staff level, but it was hard to present it on a map. So we've
gotten this far and there might be some glitches and some of the projects may be dropped. But
this is something that will form a platform that we push forward to Waze. And once Waze
understands each of these projects and what is the timeline associated, construction started
here, phase 1 completed here, phase 2, all the different elements, then that's the information
that they can communicate with all the motorists and drivers in the area. So I apologize. I
mean, we're still working through the kinks. >> All right. Can we agree to have as our
goal rather than to make everyone mad, to take this unusual circumstance to impress
the citizens with how well we manage this historic level effort? That's a goal. They
know it's a huge thing we're undertaking, but let's make sure they do and let's impress
them with how well we communicate. >> One last question, a follow-up question.
Will this map or one like it be on the streets webpage? Because I know that there is a map
on there, but you have to kind of know where you want and you click. And they're not all
on there at once. There's just a few. And so I'm just curious, because the way that
it is now, if you type in something and it shows you the start date and the end date,
it's very helpful. But if you have future ones on there, too, so that people know that,
you know, oh, my street is going to be, you know, in a few months. And then it just kind
of calms them down and they're more prepared for it than a door hanger the night before.
>> I think what might be helpful in that vein, because I know some folks are -- the GIS doesn't
scare them and they'll go click on the different layers and they can play with it. Some folks
it does and it's like, what is all this? So I think the intent, part of what Preetam was
alluding to is we wanted to have more of a PDF version that you could double click and
just see it. That gets updated periodically. And then some folks would go to GIS and see
all that information. Some folks just -- I want the whole map because I don't want to
go through all that. So yes, we'll do that. >> All right. So I look forward to seeing
you all on the cover of Infrastructure Communication Magazine. Let's carry on. We've got a little
bit more to go. Is there more on this? >> That's it.
>> All right. You don't want any more questions. So item D, receiver report, hold the discussion
and provide direction regarding Texas Department of Transportation on system projects in the
Denton area to include the 35 express project. >> So this is a lot of the projects are covered
under what we talked about. Let me see if I can -- there we go.
So as you can see, there's several projects that TxOTR is working within the city. Let
me just go one at a time. FM 2181. Currently, their schedule says February 20 construction
is -- wow, they updated that. It used to be -- well, no. FM 2181 will be constructed and
completed by 2020. They almost -- as far as utilities, there is at most conflict relocation
has been completed. So that was one of the items that was remaining. I don't see any
updates on this one. This construction is moving forward. And I think there is some
concerns from the contractor. >> There is one concern that may impact the
schedule of this project. Even more than it has. The general contractor that this contract
was awarded to, MCM construction, it appears that they are in danger of not being able
to complete this project. They may be insolvent before too long. So conversations have already
been initiated between TxOTR and their bonding company. So the bonding company is starting
to look into the pathway of them taking over the project. Now, the thing I would tell you
is anytime a bonding company gets into management of the project, it takes time. Because they
work through the legal issues, then who is doing what, holding certain folks' feet to
the fire, who do they find bringing to the table to do other things, and then it's just
a much more convoluted process. The potential here is that this could push out longer than
February of 2020 just because now we had an underperforming contractor. It is not getting
any better. The contractor themselves is having some financial issues. And it could present
itself in a much bigger delay than just what we're seeing right now.
And does this have to do with the issue that TxOTR has to choose the low-bid contractor?
Yes.
Okay. So yeah, I just want you guys to know that that is on the legislative agenda for
the Dallas Regional Committee. I think it is also...
It hasn't come to RTC yet.
Okay. So that is something that we are going to be looking and asking to change because
of the issues that it causes.
Okay. So this is US377. I started talking about this earlier. As mentioned, it's under
construction. We'll have a pre-construction meeting this month. And utilities will start
soon either end of this year or the next year. And then the construction will go all the
way through... It doesn't have a date here, but I mentioned it was 2021 in the presentation.
Moving on to the next... We did have a open house just to inform public in October for
this particular project. We did receive some comments. We're following up with responses.
And most of the comments were addressed by TxOT.
One of the comments that was not addressed by TxOT at that meeting is what their detour
routes are. So they can get that information out.
We have asked them and they've not provided the detour route. But typically what they
do is they do leave the lanes open for traffic. There is no full closures unless it's a few
hours to transfer. But they have flagging operations typically. They have one lane operations.
They don't fully... They will have to on that project at least
a couple of times shut down completely because of the railroad bridge.
And we've asked for the detour for the railroad bridge particularly. We'll get that to you.
I-35 Mayhill improvements. This is part of the... I'm not sure what...
This is the interchange improvement project. It's not even started. It will start under
design. So they're probably letting for design in December of 2019. They're going through
the process of getting the plans completed by fall of next year.
And then after that they'll go to construction. So it's currently under design. They've hired
LTRA to do the design. And this is a full interchange upgrade.
So this particular project will put this interchange in the final configuration. So they don't
have to go back and do it when they come back on phase two.
This is similar to what's currently happening at the Loop 288. It's going to the final configuration.
The frontage roads will be in their final location. And then when they come back with
35 next phase widening project, they don't have to update these interchanges. So it's
currently under design. Loop 288 Brinker Mayhill, I mentioned about
this project. This is... They're still claiming July 2019. But it's not going to likely happen.
We're thinking more towards the end of next year. We'll keep you posted as TxDOT releases
more information. But at this point they're still saying July 2019.
Can you remind me when the original completion date was supposed to be?
It was November 2018. Or even before that, it was June or July of 2018.
This past summer? Correct.
And now you're saying the end of next year?
Towards the end of next year is the most likely.
Yeah, the bucky's already open. It was supposed to coincide with bucky's.
This is I-35 North. This is north of 380. They're currently going through the environmental
phase. They're considering getting the environmental clearance by March of 2019. And they don't
intend to start any construction until September 2022.
So that's the plan. This is just the north of the city all the way to the boundary of
the county. I-35W Main Lanes, they're barely starting
-- there are no deadlines at this point. As you can see, this has just been dreamed
up as a project. And they're barely starting on this.
They have HNTP online. And they have completed 30% schematics.
So the next phase is getting into design phase and then into construction after that.
The limits of this project is all the way to -- I would say it's killer, almost killer.
And then starting at Denton. US-380 East. This project is currently -- I'm sorry.
It received the environmental clearances last year.
It's under the right of way acquisition phase. I think that was completed in 2019.
They don't intend to start construction until 2021.
It is currently -- this particular segment is currently getting -- it's under design.
And they're working with the city. They've contacted us.
And we're dealing with some of these connections at this particular end, talking about how
the city envisions this particular street. Loop 28 West.
This is -- this is a long-term project. It doesn't really go into construction all
the way in another 20 years. But the schematic will be approved early next
year. 30% schematic.
We're working with TxDOT, identifying the interchanges that we anticipate with all our
arterials going through in this particular area. I know this map is turned a little bit.
But if you can imagine, this is 35 on the north side and 35W on the south side.
We are anticipating different streets to cross, especially Jim Crystal and some of the others.
So we're making sure all our interchanges get into the schematics, that way when TxDOT
goes for design, they're all reincorporated. Yes.
Have we looked at trying to push the date up on this at all?
I mean, because this is just service roads only. And the let date right now is scheduled
for 2026. Correct.
Which means it's probably going to be closer to 2030.
This is very important for when they actually do the interchange of 35W, 35E, when they
do that, as well as routing traffic around that area when 35 north starts.
So I can't start and Todd can end, but we're working with John Polsker.
And as he has informed us, we can start working on this particular piece earlier.
There are some funds that can be obligated. We're going to start with furnitures, definitely.
But working with him, he doesn't see why we cannot move forward earlier on this project.
But I think if Todd can end. I think so much of this comes down to a funding
structure for TxDOT and when they can put the funds to it.
They're always willing to accelerate something if we're willing to put some of the funds
to it or all of the funds. But it really does come into where does it lay
out for them as well. But we do meet with them on a bi-weekly basis.
TxDOT and a larger group with John Polsker, our representative.
And we push these items, you know, what are the time frames here, we're constantly throwing
those things at them. And them talking to us as well about what
are the items and concerns they have. So it's a much more collaborative group than
what I had seen in the past in other cities. TxDOT does have a schedule just like us and
they got some financial restraints as well. Well, thinking of our previous presentation
on COG funding for projects, this may be, I don't know if this would be something that
we could qualify for, for extra funding through them to help get the project along because
I do know that this would relieve some of the internal city traffic and put some of
the freight in the trucks to keep them moving around rather than causing those backups.
So just something to maybe a project we could think about using those funds for.
FM1515, I mentioned earlier, it's under design currently and it's under 30 percent schematic,
which is a great phase for us to, you know, move it, make recommendations.
Once the 30 percent schematic is locked for TxDOT, it typically becomes a real big issue
to get it through environmental again. So this is a good time, we're working with
them, we have some alternatives we're looking at realigning Airport Road 1515. So the schedule
on this one is environmental clearance by December of 2020.
FM1173, this is on the north side of the city where it meets or intersects 35E and majority
of this project is in crumb area but we have this eastern end that connects and ultimately
this particular end will be realigned to match up to 77, US 77 here. Currently what is happening
is people go south and then connect through and then get on to 77 but this will be realigned
as part of that project to connect to US 77. Schematic approval, it is, I mean, they're
working on it, they most likely will get things racked up. Currently the schedule says end
of this year or so. I mean, we'll see. And I think that's the last one. I think that's
the last one. Actually, I suppose formally I would have
to close this item and then reopen the other item. I had a question back on the policy
bundles. I don't know if we've ever covered, how much do we stand to get in credits if
we hit the, you know, minimum 10? So part of it is unclear but it is transportation
development credits that can be used towards our 20% local match. So how much per policy
- But is it like a dollar or? It is just credit. It's credit. It's not really
a dollar amount but the way it works is they can use, we can use those credits as cash
or our share of 20% match for any project. So that boosts our share in terms of if we
have a project that's 100 million instead of putting in 20 million, we can just come
up with 10 and then the other 10 it'll be matched. So that's the whole program.
But with no limit, with anything that has a match?
Yes, anything, any project. The way it's set up, any project that has a local match, the
transportation development, any transportation projects. Okay, I'd be curious to know like
how much that might mean at some future meeting. Yes, we'll get a value amount.
Or maybe in a note back to us. Okay, so we're done with item D. We're on to staff reports,
matrix. Anything for the matrix? This is the matrix and I think there are, we're still
working on this old gateway plan but I think Todd can talk about the two items here, the
ELM and LOCUS turned back. Go ahead and I'm going to cover three.
So on the ELM/LOCUS turn back, we did have a minor setback that we're working through.
So PEC 4 was the lead up to the ELM/LOCUS turn back, phases 1 and 2. That bid came in
higher than we anticipated. So we will have a piece of that that we're looking at multiple
alternatives to recover. We'll have to re-bid the project to get better pricing. We've identified
several places where we believe that impacted it. But we are looking at a schedule recovery
potential in that we may have internal crews just do the crossing at Locust so that TxDOT
is, their timeline to start doing the reconstruction of Locust itself isn't impacted. We continue
with the Locust reconstruction beginning next summer. Then the summer following that would
still be ELM. Questions?
And then on number three, city council back in October, on October the 16th approved the
change order to design the improvements along Hickory, the sidewalk improvements along with
the lighting and some drainage improvements. My request is that that could come off the
matrix since it's being worked on. Any objections? Seeing, yes, Pat?
I just have a question about the matrix. Because I recall several times I asked about and it
may have come up and then fallen back off and came up but with the last Tuesday meeting
there were some citizens that spoke on protected bike lanes and I had asked for a presentation
on protected bike lanes for a while and I'd like to request that again, especially now
that we're doing our mobility plan and complete streets and because there are several different
options that we can talk about when it comes to that and I would like to have that added
back to the matrix.
So quick clarification, do you want it as an agenda item so that the presentation we
can talk about and present it or do you want it as a matrix item?
A presentation.
Okay. We all concur. Anything else on the matrix? Going once, going twice. Okay. Concluding
items, speeches or anything? Public oratory of any kind.
On the road work, it says that Spencer is going to be done on 11/28 and I'm just going
to ask for clarification that that's still the finish date. If anybody knows or can get
back to me on that, Spencer Road, it says the complete date is 11/28 which is coming
up really soon.
That is still a goal to turn it back to two-way traffic. We'll still be doing some auxiliary
stuff off on the parkway to clean up and then make some connections at the end but yes it'll
be open to two-way traffic by the end of the month.
Okay. And there's still some issues being reported downtown with the walk signals and
I just I would still I would like to request that our group take a walk downtown and see
how those are implemented at some point.
Maybe when it's not 20 degrees. When it's a little warmer but not a whole lot warmer.
Minimum 40 degrees, should we say? I have a question. I've got one and I don't know
if it's necessary to put it on this or if I can meet with you all separately on it but
I know most of the signals along 35 are kind of interlocked between the two sides of the
road. Bonnie Bray does not appear to be that way and I'm just questioning whether it's
it is that way and just poorly set up or if we can just take a look at what Bonnie Bray
and 35 does how those stop lights interconnect.
I just have a kind of general question. What list is it that contains these sort of little
things that I and I'm sure others throw your way like the question about whether the lane
alignment is right going south of the square and then and they request to look at a bump
out on Hickory and Miller for visibility when making a left there. You know, too small for
the matrix. It's not a road construction list. Is there a list of little requests?
Yes. Which is a great segue. We have a few members of our expanded traffic engineering
section here and that is part of what they're charged with doing is keeping up with that
running list and giving Preetam was our only traffic section. As you can imagine him trying
to keep tabs on that and everything else we're doing was very difficult. It's still a challenging
job even when you have four people trying to work on that now. Just for the city our
size there's so many of those. This group that we have here today they do that for us.
It's ongoing and we're just getting into a rhythm. We've not had this group put together
but for about two or three weeks now. Want to make some quick introductions?
Sure. We absolutely could. When I call your name. The first one is Becky and she is transitioning.
She will be soon transitioning to taking over what Kim is doing right now to be the admin
person for the minutes and everything for this particular committee as well as she will
be logging all the information that we're currently talking about. We're first starting
with a spreadsheet. You have to wave because I can't tell which
person was Becky. Okay. Thanks.
So currently we're starting with a list in Excel but ultimately we want to tie it down
to a map similar to this where you can pull it up and say well we received 50 complaints
in this in the last year or whatever it is. She's tasked to do that and track it and make
sure we're responding, make sure we're following up on some of these requests.
The next one back is Tracy Beck and she is a senior engineer there. She used to work
for development review in the development review department. She has text out background
so she's been working with text out for quite a while, has enough knowledge of all the text
out projects that have been in place. She will be addressing some of these concerns
as well as running some of the projects. Our new traffic person, traffic engineer is
Pam and she will be more focused on the signal timing parts, signal design, timing, operations,
signage and a lot of that. And yes, she was tasked to look at ADA wise what do we do with
the signals and walk signals in downtown. So it may be fixed even before we get there
with the temperatures. And then yes, Mark Oliphant who's not here
currently, that's another addition. And Mike and Betty have all seen him and probably met
him. He's great.
Welcome everyone. Yeah, and really glad to have you, so appreciate
your contributions. I think that's it. So at 1134 we will stand
adjourned. Great.