2016-10-11 Mobility Committee Minutes MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MOBILITY COMMITTEE
October 11, 2016
After determining that a quorum of the Mobility Committee of the Denton City Council was
present, the Mobility Committee thereafter convened into an Open Meeting on Monday, October
11, 2016 at 1:36 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room 215 E. McKinney, Denton, Texas.
Present: Council Member Dalton Gregory, Council Member Kevin Roden and Council
Member Keely Briggs
Also Present: Jon Fortune, ACM; John Cabrales, ACM; Mark Nelson, Director of
Transportation; John Davis, Director of Engineering Services; Ron Menguita,
Long Range Planning Administrator; Lancine Bentley, Community&
Neighborhood Services Manager; Julie Anderson, Bike Coordinator Pedestrian
Coordinator; John Polster, ITS; and Kim Mankin, Administrative Supervisor
1. REGULAR MEETING:
A. MC16-038 - Consider approval of the Mobility Committee meeting minutes of June 14, 2016
and September 12, 2016.
Approved as circulated
B. MC16-036 -Receive a report from AGL public communications staff regarding the status of
the 35Express Project with an emphasis on the North Segment.
CJ Schexnayder gave the PowerPoint Presentation for this item. 35 Express project is a TxDOT
project that is being built by AGL Constructors. The entire project is about 30 miles that
includes eight cities and two counties from Hwy 380 to IH-635. We are currently in Phase 1 that
has $1.4 Billion in available funds and is estimated to complete summer 2017.
This project is part of the TEXPress Manage toll lane system and will hook into the LBJ Express
system that just opened recently. These lanes will begin in the Lake Dallas area.
The North Segment Overview Improvements include:
-An additional general purpose lane.
-Completely rebuilding the North Texas Boulevard and Post Oak Drive bridges.
-Converting three former bridges into underpasses: Corinth Parkway, Turbeville Road/Hundley
Drive, Oak Drive/South Lake Dallas Drive.
-Rehabilitation and widening of four bridges.
-New southbound Lewisville Lake bridge; includes bike and pedestrian lanes.
-Lengthening and widening ramps at North Texas Boulevard, Loop 288, Mayhill, Post Oak,
Corinth Parkway and Swisher Road.
-Adding continuous frontage road lanes,particularly in the Lake Cities area.
Construction Overview
The North Texas Boulevard Bridge was demolished in April.
-Connectivity across the bridge one lane in each direction and one turn lane was restored in
August.
-The North Texas Boulevard bridge will be substantially completed in November which
includes; two through lanes in each direction, two designated turn lanes in each direction, Texas
U-turn lane on each end of the bridge, and a 15-foot-wide pedestrian walkway on the west side.
Long term ramp closures at North Texas Boulevard were introduced were also discussed.
The permanent ramp closures include northbound entrance ramp from McCormick Street and the
southbound exit ramp to McCormick Street.
The northbound exit ramp to North Texas Boulevard and the southbound entrance ramp from
North Texas Boulevard will be lengthened and relocated several hundred feet south of their
respective locations
McCormick Street Bridge and Frontage Road Construction will include northbound exit ramp to
McCormick Street closed through December.
There will be full nightly closures of McCormick Street in November for bridge work.
-Work on the expanded McCormick Street Bridge is scheduled for completion in spring 2017.
-The north-and southbound frontage roads at McCormick Street are scheduled to be completed
by the end of 2016.
There are ramp changes and traffic shifts near Teasley Lane. Traffic has been shifted onto the
temporary southbound entrance ramp from Teasley Lane. The exit ramp to Pennsylvania Drive
will remain open to ensure entrance ramp traffic does not get boxed in by main lane traffic. The
new southbound entrance ramp is scheduled to open in the fall and the exit ramp to Pennsylvania
Drive will close permanently. The north-and southbound main lanes between Fort Worth Drive
and US 77 will be shifted several feet into the median between Oct. 11 and 18.
Ramp Changes at Loop 288/US 77 Bridge.
-The new southbound exit ramp to Loop 288 is open.
-Work on the US 77 bridge is scheduled to be completed later this year.
This is the bridge that had the design issue.
Nelson asked if there was a timeframe for the southbound entrance. Schexnayder responded
there is not currently a date, but early 2017 is projected.
Gregory inquired about the design issue. The answer is there are a lot of angles and one of the
angles was slightly off and as the beams were loaded they were not fully seated. It was a small
error in calculations.
Ramp Changes at Mayhill Road
-The new northbound entrance ramp from Post Oak Drive opens this week.
-The new northbound exit ramp to Mayhill Road is scheduled to open by the end of the year.
-Traffic has shifted to a temporary southbound entrance ramp from Mayhill road.
-A new southbound exit ramp to Post Oak Drive is scheduled to open this fall approximately a
half mile north of the existing ramp in November.
-By the end of the year a new southbound entrance ramp will be completed approximately a half
mile south of the existing ramp in early 2017.
-No ramps will be closed during these operations
Post Oak Drive Bridge
-Connectivity across the Post Oak Drive Bridge has been restored with one lane in each
direction.
-Work will continue on the bridge and the intersection through the end of the year.
-The bridge is slated for completion in spring 2017.
-The northbound entrance ramp to Post Oak Drive is closed for approximately three months.
Corinth Area Ramps
-The northbound entrance ramp near the U-turn in Corinth(former exit ramp 459) opens in
October.
-The northbound entrance ramp from Swisher Road will close immediately after and is expected
to reopen as an exit ramp by spring 2017.
-The southbound exit ramp to Turbeville Road is scheduled to open in November.
Lewisville Lake Bridge
-North-and southbound I-35E traffic has shifted onto the new southbound Lewisville Lake
Bridge.
-The southbound frontage road across the Lewisville Lake Bridge will open by spring 2017.
-When the project is completed, the original Lewisville Lake bridges will carry the northbound
main lanes and frontage road.
-The DCTA rail bridge will not be affected by the project.
Garden Ridge Boulevard/Lake Dallas Exit
-The exit to Lake Dallas and the Garden Ridge Boulevard exit is located south of FM 407.
-After taking the exit and crossing over FM 407, motorists will take the following routes:
Lake Dallas traffic will take the lane across the original bridge to reach Lake Dallas Drive.
Garden Ridge Boulevard traffic will take the exit to Eagle Point Road for access to and from
northbound I-35E.
Garden Ridge Boulevard/FM407
-Construction on the ramp from the main lanes to south side of the Garden Ridge Bridge will
begin by Thanksgiving; construction of the ramp on the north side of the bridge is expected to
begin by January 2017.
-Bridge expected to reopen by the end of the year.
-Northbound main lanes over FM 407 will shift onto new pavement by Thanksgiving.
Sam Rayburn Tollway Road
-Southbound frontage road between FM 3040/Round Grove and the SRT will shift west mid-to-
late October.
-New northbound exit ramp to FM 3040/Round Gove Road will open early October
Belt Line Road
-Northbound traffic between Belt Line Road and Luna Road is scheduled to shift east the
weekend of Oct. 10.
-Shifts needed for work on the managed lanes and toll gantries.
Dickerson Parkway
-Deck placement is underway on the Dickerson Parkway Bridge.
-Work on the east side of Dickerson Parkway has begun.
I-635/I-35E Connections
-Work continues on the Wishbone bridges (system of ramps connecting the I-35E and LBJ
TEXpress managed toll lane systems).
-Motorists should expect nightly(9 p.m. until 6 a.m.) northbound main lane closures between
Royal Lane and I-635 as crews set beams and place decks.
-The ramp from westbound I-635 to southbound I-35E will remain reduced to one lane through
the fall.
Schexnayder then talked about the safety initiatives.
-AGL and TxDOT hold monthly meetings with law enforcement and first responders to identify
ways to improve safety on the corridor.
-The speed limit between US Highway 380 and Swisher Road has been reduced to 55 mph
during construction.
-Speed boards, that show drivers how fast they are travelling, are placed at key points along the
corridor.
-AGL trucks have bumper stickers reminding drivers to drive the speed limit.
-#Safedrive35 social media campaign designed to increase driver awareness
Schexnayder then gave out all the ways of contact during construction.
-www.35Express.com
-eNewsletter
-Project hotline (214) 483-7777
-Project email address: info@35Express.org
-Social Medias: Facebook/Twitter/Text Alerts
Nelson suggested the NCTCOG Incident Management Program as a topic at the next monthly
meeting.
Briggs asked about the status of the Brinker Bridge. Xxx answered it was awarded in September
to OHL Company. This will probably begin the first part of January to complete spring 2018.
John Davis asked when I-35E would be complete. Schexnayder answered mid-2017.
There will be a public meeting regarding the 35Express, Schexnayder will let staff know when
the date and time are scheduled.
C. MC16-037 -Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding staff s plan for obligating the
FY 2016-2017 Bike Fund for on-street bicycle accommodations, and provide an update to the
FY 2015-2016 Bike Fund projects.
Julie Anderson gave this update.
Oak and Hickory Streets are the only projects remaining from fiscal year 2014-2015. Originally
$220,000 was set aside to complete those streets from Bell Street to Bonnie Brae. Phase I and II
are complete, Bell to Carroll Blvd. Utility and street work are continuing on Oak and Hickory.
Utility relocates will begin at the end of October. Phase III is on hold until the utility work is
complete. Phase IIIA is Oak from Carroll to Ave C which is currently in design. Hickory is being
re-stripped with paint because it will be re-constructed. Hickory and Carroll intersection will also
be re-stripped.
Gregory asked what the design is on Oak Street going west from Carroll to Avenue C. Anderson
stated that Oak varies in in width and has many issues. Noreen Housewright is working on the
possibilities. Gregory asked for Housewright to present at the next Mobility meeting. He then
asked for this to go to Traffic Safety Commission.
Roden asked if the on-street parking with UNT had been resolved. Anderson agreed that the
parking will be removed after the ordinance is in place. Nelson added that UNT staff emailed and
would like to meet regarding the smart metering that has been discussed.
Anderson went on to talk about the 2016/2017 Bike Fund Projects.
The Eagle Drive Project is close to completion which is in November.
The Paisley side path at Lee Elementary was a project that came together from several departments
that adds great connectivity in that area of town. Gregory asked if any work with the school has
happened since this path has been completed. Anderson answered last school year there was a
bike a safety presentation. She will reach out to them and see if they are interested in a similar
presentation this school year.
The 2017 Projects had two goals. The first goal was to finish the immediate projects that were
identified in the bike plan that could be accomplished with the funds available. Also vehicle trips
that are a mile or less that can be converted to bike trips is a focus.
The completed and proposed bike project FY2016-2017 map was shows that has a total of 39.7
miles.
Gregory stated that Malone is a street with two lanes in each direction, he verified that will be one
that is converted to one lane in each direction with a continuous turn and bike lanes. Anderson
agreed.
Anderson then talked about Ector Street being the first project for 2017 adding bike lanes for
connectivity from UNT to University Drive and the different destinations in that area.
Progress is being made in connecting routes to make a connecting network.
The budget breakdown was introduced with$1.16 Million allocated since 2012,with$1.14 Million
spent to date.
Gregory asked about a break down for Eagle Drive, it is way over the amount that the bike plan
projected. Davis added that part of that cost is the radar detectors that are required to pick up
bicyclist at the intersections. Engineering will get the complete breakdown.
Anderson reminded the committee that in the strategic plan it is a goal to increase the mode share
of biking and walking. We are currently at 4.7 percent and the goal is 7 percent by 2020.
Gregory asked if there has been any discussion with the Traffic Safety Commission about no
parking one side of Elm Street much like Locust Street. Anderson answered that Locust Street
was part of a safety initiative, and does not believe it has gone to Traffic Safety Commission.
Gregory would Elm Street to be added to the Traffic Safety Commission to explore the
possibilities.
Roden stated that Council removed the supplemental funding package for more stripping
capabilities for the City. How does that impact our programs as it related to pedestrians and
cycling for this next year. Anderson answered that at some point the bike lanes have to be re-
stripped they only have so long of a road life. Currently there are not many that need to be re-
stripped. Some of the sharrows have been redone with bike fund money. The bike fund amount
will have to be increased to cover the maintenance or there will need to be an increase to the
department to pay for the maintenance. Roden asked Anderson to keep the rational for the
dollars and maintenance as a reminder for Council.
Briggs thanked Anderson for the changes to Nottingham.
Gregory added that looking ahead he hopes to see in the supplemental packages an increase
because the paint in front of Strickland Middle School is fading. Also start early about offering a
program at the 2017 Texas Municipal League Conference.
D. MC16-039 ACM Update:
1. TxDOT On-System Projects
John Polster gave the update
2. Downtown Denton TOD
3. Fall Cycle with the City Event
4. Matrix
CONCLUDING ITEMS
A. Under Section 551.042 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, respond to inquiries from the
Committee on the Environment or the public with specific factual information or recitation of
policy, or accept a proposal to place the matter on the agenda for an upcoming meeting AND
Under Section 551.0415 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, provide reports about items of
community interest regarding which no action will be taken, to include: expressions of thanks,
congratulations, or condolence; information regarding holiday schedules; an honorary or salutary
recognition of a public official,public employee, or other citizen; a reminder about an upcoming
event organized or sponsored by the governing body; information regarding a social, ceremonial,
or community event organized or sponsored by an entity other than the governing body that was
attended or is scheduled to be attended by a member of the governing body or an official or
employee of the municipality; or an announcement involving an imminent threat to the public
health and safety of people in the municipality that has arisen after the posting of the agenda.
Gregory—Wainwright Street south of Prairie Street on-street parking
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 12:57 p.m.