As always, Denton County is busy this time of year. We are about to embark on our budgeting process as we prepare for the start of our next fiscal year on October 1.
Road construction is a top priority in Precinct 4. Be aware of the road work and yield to the crews on the roadways.
35Express Update
Construction on 35E is well underway. This 30-day outlook that serves as a guide for upcoming construction. (Construction schedules can change due to weather and other circumstances.)
Partial demolition of Loop 288 and Mayhill Road bridges continues. Motorists should expect nightly closures of Loop 288 and Mayhill Road under I-35E and various lane closures on the interstate in this area. Also, the expansion of Bonnie Brae bridge continues.
The placement of pavement for the new southbound frontage road along southbound I-35E and FM 407 is scheduled to continue through May.
Traffic shifts on the Lewisville Lake bridge have already started. Work will begin on the drainage structures in the median of the bridge and crews will construct a temporary exit ramp from southbound I-35E to Garden Ridge Boulevard.
Various nightly lane closures of Valley View Lane at the I-35E frontage road have started as crews begin work to expand the Valley View Lane bridge. Demolition of the I-35E center median between Valley View Lane and Sandy Lake Road/Whitlock Lane continues, as well.
Southbound I-35E traffic will shift at Belt Line Road mid-April as crews prepare to partially demolish the Belt Line Road bridge. Various nightly lane closures of Whitlock Lane and Crosby Road at I-35E are expected as crews expand the I-35E bridge.
Check out the project web site at www.35express.org for updates and current road closures and detours, as well as upcoming construction.
Government complex receives award
We are excited to announce that the Denton County Administrative Complex Phase 2 on Loop 288 in Denton has received the Silver Certification Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for New Construction version 2009 by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
LEED provides a third-party verification for green building design and construction. This follows the LEED for New Construction version 2.2 Silver rating the Administrative Complex Phase 1 project achieved in 2011. This certification represents Denton County’s sustained commitment to stewardship of taxpayer dollars to provide cost efficient facilities and stewardship of local resources to conserve energy, water, and materials.
I served on the Master Plan committee and we paid close attention to detail and innovative design features. These have already saved the county taxpayer on construction, utility, maintenance and other operating costs, and we anticipate those savings to continue for decades in the future.
The Phase 2 project provides new facilities for the Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD), Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC), Facilities, Elections, and Technology Services.
The project provides rainwater harvesting for landscaping irrigation, drought resistant landscaping, water efficient plumbing fixtures, daylight monitoring and lighting controls, building materials that have recycled content and were manufactured regionally, low-emitting materials to improve the indoor air quality, and energy efficient air-conditioning and heating equipment serving the Complex from a Central Utility Plant.
Our goal is to continue the using LEED as a minimum standard for the full build-out of the Administrative Complex.
County takes next step in communication system upgrade
New radio communications have been on the county’s agenda since Sheriff William Travis was sworn into office January 2013. This past week Commissioners court approved a committee recommendation of the ranking of two providers for the P25 Radio System, which enables them to negotiate with the leading firm, Motorola Solutions, to complete the process and acquire radio equipment for the county.
It was definitely a good day for the Denton County taxpayer, as the process made in possible to deliver more features for less than the budgeted amount. The money set aside in the capital improvement program for the system is nearly $9.3 million, but we expect the final amount to come in lower.
The system, which was activated 4 million times last year, will not only be used by the Sheriff’s Department, but will improve communications systems county-wide. It will replace the current 18-year-old system, which was purchased used.
Denton County Master Gardeners Upcoming Events
The annual Denton County Vegetable, Herb, Flower and Fruit Show will be held at the Historical Park of Denton County in front of the Bayless-Selby House on Saturday, June 14, from 7 a.m. until noon. Watch for more details about this fun event!
If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you. My email is andy.eads@dentoncounty.com and my office number is 940-349-2801.
