Happy New Year from Denton County Precinct 4! As we look ahead to an exciting new year, I want to reflect back and share with you a list of accomplishments from 2011 we worked towards in partnerships with our 17 cities within Precinct 4, and also some milestones for Denton County.
Argyle
• Denton County continued efforts with TxDOT, AISD and the Town of Argyle to improve the traffic safety issues near Argyle High School
• At the county’s and town’s request, TxDOT restriped SH377 to have a southbound turn lane near Argyle High School
• Worked with TxDOT on traffic studies in hopes of warranting a traffic signal for Argyle High School
• County has committed to install a right turn lane on FM407 to SH377 which will be constructed by county crews and will begin this month.
• Forest Trail was reconstructed through an agreement with the town and Denton County, at a large savings to the Town of Argyle
• County hired Lochner Engineering through the county selection process to design Country Club Road from FM1830 to SH377. The county plans to widen and provide drainage improvements to the road. Geotech and utility location is underway.
Bartonville
• Since the city and county both maintain one lane in each direction, we entered into an agreement with the town to maintain their half of Jeter Road to make county and city maintenance easier
• Continuing to work on an agreement to reconstruct McMakin Road within the town limits
Copper Canyon
• Chinn Chapel Road and Orchid Hill Road were completely reconstructed with county bond funds
• Copper Canyon Road engineering and right-of-way acquisition completed. Reconstruction bid was awarded to Lane Construction with a proposed 18 month completion.
Corral City
• Entered into an agreement with the city for a turn lane on FM407
• Communicated with TxDOT the need for intersection improvements at FM407 and I-35W service roads. Ultimately signals were installed.
Denton
• Denton County contracted with Teague Nall & Perkins to design a new road to extend Robson Ranch Road to Florence.
• Worked with city to receive SH121 RTR funding for the project to expand SH377 from
FM1830 to I-35E. Lochner Engineering is the design firm on the project with plans at 60% complete.
• County hired Lochner Engineering through the county selection process to design Country Club Road from FM1830 to SH377. The county plans to widen and provide drainage improvements to the road. Geotech and utility location is underway.
• Denton County adopted a resolution to get the Loop 288 project on system with TxDOT. Schematics have been submitted to TxDOT.
• Reached an agreement with UNT to build a pedestrian bridge over I-35E @ UNT
• Agreed to participate with the city on their expansion of bike lanes within the city
• As the County’s representative to the Regional Transportation Council, continued to work towards the expansion of I-35E from LBJ Freeway to Hwy 380, and identify additional funding sources for the project
• Coordinated a joint use agreement between Denton County, Denton County Farmers Market Association and the Denton Community Market
Double Oak
• Simmons Road was reconstructed for a safer north/south access through Double Oak and the drainage was improved
• The FM407 widening project was awarded to Lane Construction by TxDOT. They anticipate breaking ground in February 2012.
Flower Mound
• Denton County hired Jacobs Engineering in February to design SH377 from county line through Argyle
• The Town of Flower Mound continued to receive library funding
• The county worked with architects and engineers to design the new annex building to improve service to our residents which will be built in Flower Mound. We are continuing to coordinate with the Town of Flower Mound on utility installation.
• FM1171 Section 1 was opened. I send thanks to my partner Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell for her years of work on the project.
• Continued to resolve right away issues on Sections 2 and 3 of FM1171
Fort Worth
• Continue to manage SH114 widening project and the complicated utility relocation process
• Litsey Road and Litsey Road Bridge completed. The historic Litsey Road Bridge was preserved and relocated for future use by the City of Roanoke.
Justin
• Spent considerable time meeting with city officials, the public, and impacted property owners related to the expansion of SH156 through Justin
• Held public meeting regarding SH156 on October 13, 2011
• Industrial Road reconstructed by Denton County crews
• Justin Cemetery Road repaved by Denton County crews
• The City of Justin continued to receive library funding
Krum
• Entered into an agreement with the city for the construction of Hopkins Road and the road was reconstructed with Denton County crews
• Denton County completed the Engineering Design for the FM1173 turn lane
• Entered into an agreement with the city for the construction of the FM1173 a turn lane which the county will administer the construction
• The City of Krum continued to receive library funding
Northlake
• County contracted with Teague Nall & Perkins to design the new road to extend Robson Ranch Road to connect with Strader Road
• Spent considerable time meeting with city officials, the public, and impacted property owners related to the realignment of FM407 through Northlake
• County road crews reconstructed and upgraded from gravel to paving Florence Road at a considerable savings to the Town of Northlake
• County road crews reconstructed and upgraded from gravel to paving the gravel portion of Robson Ranch Road that connects to the Town of Northlake’s Florence Road
Ponder
• Eddie and Doyle Streets were reconstructed with County Bond funding
• Smith, Schluter and Old Stoney Roads were completed
• George Owens Road Bridge was replaced and reopened
• Met with Town officials to develop a plan of action to improve George Owens Road within the town limits
• The Town of Ponder received library funding
Roanoke
• Provided funding for the engineering design for Schooling and Walnut as well as the construction of Schooling Road
• Schooling Road reconstruction complete
• Hired Jacobs Engineering for the widening of SH377 through town and met with city officials to evaluate and identify potential right-of-way conflicts
• Led a successful effort to have TxDOT continue to perform traffic studies in order for the intersection of Bobcat Blvd. and SH377 to qualify for a light. TxDOT has since authorized the installation of a signal light.
• Provided Denton County Regional Toll Revenue funding for the construction of SH114/SH170
• Litsey Road and Litsey Road Bridge completed. The historic Litsey Road Bridge was preserved and relocated for future use by the City of Roanoke.
• Coordinated aesthetic improvements to SH114/SH170 with TxDOT, Roanoke, Trophy Club and the city
Trophy Club
• Worked with town to identify funding for traffic improvements and the construction of a roundabout to b
e constructed this spring
• Led a successful effort to have TxDOT continue to perform traffic studies in order for the intersection of Bobcat Blvd. and SH377 to qualify for a light. TxDOT has since authorized the installation of a signal light.
• Provided Denton County Regional Toll Revenue funding for the construction of SH114/SH170
• Coordinated aesthetic improvements to SH114/SH170 with TxDOT, Roanoke, Trophy Club and the city
Westlake
• Coordinated aesthetic improvements to SH114/SH170 with TxDOT, Roanoke, Trophy Club and the city
• Provided Denton County Regional Toll Revenue funding for the construction of SH114/SH170
Denton County
Denton County Road and Bridge West
• After an internal analysis and report, Commissioners Court transferred the county’s Vehicle Maintenance Department to Road and Bridge West Department. The department services nearly 350 vehicles in the county’s fleet. This was a savings to Denton County through the elimination of a Department Head position.
• Accepted for county maintenance 7 new roads (1.86 miles)
• County crews paved nearly 4 miles of roadway
• Received grant of RAP Recycled Asphalt Product from TxDOT and used it to resurface and improve 4.59 miles of county roads
• For the first time ever, Road and Bridge purchased Winter Weather Preparedness equipment. Trucks are now equipped to sand roads and bridges and remove snow if necessary.
Denton County Projects/Accomplishments
• The county is constructing several buildings at this time, maximizing the low construction costs associated with the current recession and slow down of the construction industry. Phase II of the Government Complex in Denton is under construction and includes Adult Probation, Facilities Maintenance, Elections Department and Information Services.
• The historic Welcome Center at the Denton County Historical Park was relocated to its permanent site
• The Commissioners Court successfully completed the redistricting process for county officials and adjusted individual voter precincts, which is done every ten years. The legislature also adjusted boundaries for Federal and State office holders. To see if your voting precinct has changed, check our elections website at http://elections.dentoncounty.com
I want to thank the residents of Precinct Four for allowing me to serve as your County Commissioner for the past five years. It has been my pleasure to engage with the public and partner with our elected officials on the local, state and federal level as we work to manage and prepare for the continued growth Denton County is blessed to experience.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at 940-349-2801 or email me at [email protected].
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