Champion's Corner

Feasibility n PLANNING n Design n Construction n Operations n Maintenance A LOOK INSIDE

Champion’s Corner...... 1-2 MEETING MESQUITE S ECTION MAKES P ROGRESS C ONT.. Dallas High Five...... 2 OVERVIEWS improve the merge and weave conditions season. This is contingent upon the design being between I-30 and U.S. 80 ready and TxDOT’s funding becoming available. Answers ...... 2 Summer 2001 w North Dallas Chamber An Insight into Improving LBJ Freeway during the Planning Phase n Adding a southbound Towne Centre Drive exit The Stars Will Shine ...3 of Commerce (NDCC) ramp Phase II Churchill Way LBJ Task Force meets at n Reconstructing LBJ Freeway over Town East Project Begins ...... 3 7:30 a.m. on the 2nd n Relocating both Town East ramps south of the Boulevard intersection to accommodate the new Towne Traffic and Revenue Tuesday of every other Study - Phase II ...... 3 Champion’s Corner Centre Drive ramps n Adding a northbound entrance ramp from by: Kathy Ingle month at the NDCC to Towne Centre Drive to LBJ Freeway Mesquite Section Ironically, the economic success of the discuss project issues. n Reconstructing and widening the Towne Centre Makes Progress ...... 3-4 Dallas/Fort Worth area has caused one of our Drive bridge with a U-turn on the north side of n Reconstructing the northbound frontage road biggest problems — keeping up with mobility Everyone is welcome to Meeting Overviews....4 the bridge south of Town East Boulevard needs. LBJ Freeway is a microcosm of our attend. Please check the Definitions...... 4 region. The challenges we face in improving Dallas District Hotline for The current goal is to have Phase I under construc- n Realigning Town East Boulevard as it passes traffic congestion and mobility with limited tion next summer. It is also desired to minimize under the LBJ Freeway meeting confirmation. right-of-way equate to both complicated and construction impacts during key shopping hours, LBJ BRIEFS expensive design solutions. However, I believe, and have this phase active only during one holiday Phase II will commence in 2-3 years the creative approach taken by the entire LBJ w If you would like to have when the necessary right-of-way and Thanks East Side Team — TxDOT; Cities of Dallas, Farmers utility work at Town East Boulevard patrons for your a project update for your LBJ Mesquite and Towne Centre Branch, Garland and Mesquite; Dallas County; Kathy Ingle has been completed. The proposed patience during the DART; NTTA; NCTCOG and the FHWA — in group or organization, construction will improve traffic flow recent median barrier tackling the problem will become a model for along the freeway, relieve congestion please call the LBJ project. The new how a community can cooperatively and con- all adjacent interests, the “West Braid” option at the intersection of LBJ Freeway and concrete traffic barrier certedly solve problems. Real progress has been was chosen. “Old-timers” may remember this Project Office. Town East Boulevard, provide direct will offer greater safety made in the past year. To highlight: was the area that led to opposition of then – Presentations can be access to Towne Centre Drive and and lower maintenance proposed plans for reconstruction of LBJ over improve the capacity of Towne made during the day or costs. n In late April 2001, TxDOT awarded the 10 years ago. Patient efforts toward a consensus Centre Drive. evening hours. construction contract for the “Dallas High solution have resulted in a design that balances nnn Check out Five” (I-635/U.S. 75 Interchange Project) to the issues of safety, expense, quality of life for DEFINITONS www.DallasHighFive.org the low bidder, Zachry Construction the neighborhoods and operational Corporation. (See separate story and insert effectiveness. If you want to review the details The LBJ Circular — a publication of the Texas Department of For updates on the LBJ Corridor Study, HOV for details on the inter - Transportation — is produced through collaborative input and in this issue about the Dallas High Five). This Managed lanes increase lanes and meeting schedules, call the change project and links of the solution, stop by the LBJ Project Office assistance from the LBJ Study Participants. These participants is a pioneering project in many regards — for a personal update. freeway efficiency by include members from the community, adjacent cities, consultant Dallas District Hotline to other transportation- team members, Dallas County, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, North size of the contract (largest ever in the (214) 374-4100 related web sites. A offering a predictable trip Texas Tollway Authority, Texas Transportation Institute and the history of Texas roadbuilding), complexity of North Central Texas Council of Governments. Option 6 model of the project is n The Phase II Traffic and Revenue Study of the the interchange, contract provisions (lane with little congestion for on display at the LBJ Managed Lane (see definiton on page 4) option rentals, incentive bonuses, potential for LBJ has been completed. Study findings those who carpool, ride Project Office. Office penalties) and creative amenity and urban indicate that allowing single occupant vehicles hours are 8 a.m. to 5 bus transit, van pool, ride design features included that are a precursor to utilize excess capacity in the HOV (High p.m. a motorcycle or if driving to similar treatments being contemplated for Occupancy Vehicle) lanes by paying a toll will LBJ Project Office other locations around the Dallas District. maximize use while generating income for their alone, are willing to pay BULK RATE heck out 9330 LBJ Freeway C Most significantly, TxDOT has challenged operation and maintenance. Practically speaking, U.S. POSTAGE www.Daltrans.org for a toll. Lane management Suite 1080 PAID itself and its contractor to complete what what does this mean? With payment of a toll, traffic information, operations and pricing Dallas, Texas 75243 DALLAS, TEXAS was originally scheduled to be an 8-year you will be able to travel on LBJ any time of day PERMIT #3739 lane closures and live project in 5 years. Hats off toTxDOT-Dallas or night with the assurance of no undue delays structure may be adjusted IMPROVING LBJ FREEWAY FOR THE FUTURE! camera shots of current District Engineer Jay Nelson and the entire or congestion. at anytime to better serve traffic conditions along LBJ Team for that commitment. modal needs. selected freeways. n The twin tunnels for the Managed HOV lanes n Last year we identified and resolved one of between Preston and Midway Road have been The completed west the final big items of controversy — the exhaustively studied for safety, constructibility, HOV extension project ramps along LBJ between the DNT and cost, maintenance and long-term operation. For information on other transportation from Luna Road to I- Midway Road. At issue were location and Tunnel experts from around the world have related topics, visit elevation, and their impacts on adjacent shared their experiences in an effort to better TxDOT’s website at: 35E seems to be working well. Let us know your property owners. Working collectively with understand exactly what tunnels would entail. www.dot.state.tx.us thoughts on this project ....cont. on page 2 and other bottleneck improvement ideas. 1 4 Please Recycle phone: (972) 437-0101 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.dot.state.tx.us Feasibility n PLANNING n Design n Construction n Operations Feasibility n PLANNING n Design n Construction n Operations n Maintenance

C HAMPIONS C ORNER C ONT.. The result was a finalized decision to project will also offer some relief to the D ALLAS HIGHIGH F IVEIVE CHURCHILL WAY P ROJECT BEGINS T RAFFIC AND R EVENUE S TUDY -- include the tunnels and adopt the goal Dallas High Five during its construction. See Project insert to this LBJ Circular for The project, located between I.H. 635 and Forest P HASE II of implementing them early in the This project is yet another example of more details Lane – as shown below, will cross-connect the west The recently completed study is continuing to confirm reconstruction of LBJ, prior to main lane regional multi-agency team building side of Central Expressway at Churchill Way to the viability of the Managed Lane (previously referred improvements, in order to maintain involving the LBJ Team. This summer, contractor Zachry the northbound frontage road. The design accommo- to as HOT Lanes) concept for LBJ Freeway. According through-traffic on LBJ from the Construction Corporation will begin early dates an expected high volume of pedestrian and to Paul Pezzotta of Wilbur Smith Associates, “The completed Dallas High Five Interchange. Now what? preparation on the Dallas High Five. DO bicycle usage. Design features will be compatible to ability to develop a fully integrated multi-modal system Again, hats off to TxDOT for their The next year will be devoted to what I call NOT PANIC! Work this summer and fall Central Expressway and the Dallas High Five. from the ground up offers TxDOT a unique opportu- thoroughness and willingness to embrace the THREE C’S — Closure of the planning should have minimal traffic impacts. This nity to create a benchmark for the entire nation.” bold new road solutions. and approval process, Commencement of time is being afforded to the contractor for The study presents a range of pricing scenarios for final design and Construction document increased mobilization time and an opportu- consideration now and in the future and offers insight n Design is progressing well on the preparation. The planning process, which nity to get ahead of schedule to meet early into other technical and policy issues in the region. Mesquite Section projects. The City of will culminate in final approvals from all contract milestones for TI Boulevard, Mesquite has committed both funds and concerned regulatory bodies, should be Hillcrest and Park Central U-turns and Using the study year 2015, the analysis found that the resources to moving the design forward. complete by the first quarter of 2002. This frontage road improvements. average peak hour speed in the Managed Lanes would Phase I will focus on replacing Towne will bring closure to the planning and be 53-60 mph compared to 30-33 mph in the main Centre Drive Bridge over LBJ, then approval process, which has occupied the The contractor will be given 5 years to lanes of I-635. By paying a toll, Managed Lane users Phase II will concentrate on Town East last 5 years. With approvals in hand, early complete the project. The official clock will would enjoy a quicker, more predictable trip. In turn, Boulevard improvements. selection of consultants for final design and start January 2, 2002 and will officially end in the main lanes would become less congested when construction documents will proceed on the January 2007. TxDOT has included many travelers use the Managed Lanes. Without a toll, it is n While there are some remaining earliest segments to be implemented — requirements/tools into the contract to estimated that the average peak hour speed for ALL unresolved ramping issues between the frontage roads and tunnel sections. encourage timely completion. If you wish to lanes would be approximately 34-37 mph, therefore, I-30 direct connectors and the Town East Commencement of the final design stay informed about the Dallas High Five, ALL travelers would experience congestion and travel Boulevard Intersection requiring further should begin in early 2002. As designs check out www.DallasHighFive.org unpredictability. study, the LBJ Team, City of Mesquite are finalized, engineers’ cost estimates can nnn and property owners are exploring be refined, contract provisions formulated The tolls collected would result in an estimated 2015 T HE S TARS W ILL S HINE options with the goal of improved and construction documents prepared, T HE S TARS W ILL S HINE To meet the targeted construction start date of annual revenue of $16-27 million and would accessibility and safe operation. The ultimately leading to contract letting and One of the key features of the Dallas High January 2003, TxDOT and the City of Dallas have increase to an estimated $30-45 million in 2025, results of that effort will be part of construction. Five will be 300 foot continuous concrete partnered for final planning and design. The project depending on which operational scheme is ultimately the final schematic presented at a bridge spans for direct connection ramps. was included in one of the recent NCTCOG selected. The revenue provided by these Managed possible fall/winter public hearing for Future funding? Tall rectangular concrete columns will partnership program requests to the Texas Lanes is likely to accelerate the ability to fund other the East Section. We will continue to work with those in support the ramp bridges. The aesthetic Transportation Commission. projects and offer a subsequent revenue stream for positions of leadership across the region to design effort is attempting to capture nnn operations and maintenance costs after the revenue n The Miller Road Ramp and Bridge bring resources to the table so LBJ Freeway Dallas’s historic use of the Art Deco style bond debt is paid. Widening project began this summer — this great economic backbone across the while adding the more modern treatment nnn and is scheduled to be completed before Metroplex — can continue to improve and of accent lighting. The key elements of the High Five Support Column DART opens the LBJ East Station in play a role in the success of the region. aesthetic look include a bronze star back lit M ESQUITE S ECTION Spring 2002. Designed to provide access nnn by a multi-color, fiber-optic light, resting on M AKES P ROGRESS to the station and accommodate the the spires of three vertical column accents. The City of Mesquite is assisting TxDOT with both increased traffic it will generate, the nnn funds and personnel resources for improvements to a 1.5 mile portion of LBJ East. The design effort, funded by the City, began in January 2001. Monthly project A NSWERS meetings are held to make sure work moves forward in a timely manner. Question: Will the East Question: Will there be Question: Will the Question: Are road Section be built before the 10 lanes for the West Section proposed “Signature” tunnels safe? A potential scheme for the Towne Centre Drive West Section? between I-35E and U.S. 75? bridge for Woodall Rodgers Bridge over LBJ Freeway is depicted in the graphic. take money from LBJ Answer: Yes. Modern, Although there are many steps to be completed Answer: No. There has Answer: No. The basic foot- improvements? properly designed road tunnels before this vision, or one similar to it, is constructed, not been a phasing timetable print for the West Section is to are very safe. The project the team is committed to this location being a precur- established for the East and remain 8 lanes at this time. The Answer: No. The Woodall design team will ensure that all sor to future LBJ Freeway improvements as well as a West Sections. The sections schematic design will include a small Rodgers project is already safety features are on the cut- signature opportunity for the City of Mesquite. will be divided into manage- amount of additional pavement in the funded from several sources ting edge of industry standards. able design and fundable con- median, providing room for possible including TxDOT, NCTCOG, As a reminder, the planned improvements for the struction projects as we move future conversion to a main lane. This the City, County and private Mesquite Section include: forward. It is quite likely that will allow flexibility beyond the sector. Any significant “extra” Phase I projects in both sections will design year of the current project. funding needed to incorporate n Adding a fifth lane to I-635 in each direction to be underway at the same time. There is not enough room within the “signature” features will be proposed schematic to add a full paid for from Non-TxDOT ....cont. on page 4 3 2 width 10 lane section without addi- sources. tional ROW impacts. Feasibility n PLANNING n Design n Construction n Operations n Maintenance Feasibility n PLANNING n Design n Construction n Operations n Maintenance