Jernigan and FM 407 Update

[admin]

From Mayor Sue:

Why are Sheriff’s Vehicles with blinking lights at the intersection of FM 407 and Jernigan Road? Good question. My idea. Maybe not the best one. This was an attempt to reduce the number of vehicles from having to cut through Rolling Acres Drive, a residential subdivision, to reach the light at Chinn Chapel and FM 407.

Most everyone traveling south through Copper Canyon, especially Monday through Friday, intends to access FM 407. An overwhelming majority of the traffic will turn east on FM 407 to go to the DFW Metroplex to work or to take a student to LISD schools – Heritage Elementary, Briarhill Middle School or Marcus High School. This can be done at the FM 407 intersections at Copper Canyon Road and Chinn Chapel Road, because there are traffic signals there. (Many thanks to former Commissioner Jim Carter for arranging for both those traffic signals!) It can also be done at the FM 2499 and FM 407 intersection, due to the traffic signal there. But – with Harlington Drive currently closed to Copper Canyon residential and commuter traffic and when FM 2499 south of Orchid Hill Lane was also closed, Copper Canyon residents and commuter traffic through the Town had absolutely NO access to the light at FM 2499 and FM 407.

A possible alternate route to FM 407 is Jernigan Road. However, it is almost impossible to turn east (left) from Jernigan Road onto FM 407, because there is no traffic signal there. Thus my idea to fund Deputy Sheriffs at that intersection Monday through Friday for two hours each in the morning and late afternoon rush hours. The Deputies have been there for 5 weeks, one patrol car with flashing lights on either side of FM 407.

However, vehicles wanting to turn west (right) from Jernigan Road onto FM 407 have no real problem doing so. But the Deputies have to stop both lanes of traffic on FM 407 to allow 2-3 vehicles from Jernigan Road to turn east onto FM 407. At $35 for each Deputy per each hour, this is probably not a very efficient use of Town funds for the two Deputy’s time.

So, I have asked the Town Administrator to rescind my request for Deputy assistance at that intersection, but wait until after the first week of LISD schools opening. Hopefully, residents and commuters on Jernigan Road who intend to go west on FM 407 will continue to be able to do so without Deputy assistance. Signs on Jernigan Road will direct those drivers who ultimately want to go east on FM 407 to use the detour route on Rolling Acres Drive to access Chinn Chapel Road and ultimately the traffic signal at FM 407.

[falcon999]

maybe now traffic won't back up to lantana because everyone is afraid of police with flashing lights and come to a stop just to see what's going on