HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 04-81
RESOLUTION NO.OLl -131
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE INTENT OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF
THE COLONY THAT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, AIR QUALITY AND REGIONAL MOBILITY
REASONS, FARM TO MARKET ROAD 423, A REGIONAL ARTERIAL OF THE METROPOLITAN
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN THE DALLAS FORT WORTH METROPOLITAN AREA, FROM
A SOUTHERN TERMINUS OF STATE HIGHWAY 121 TO A NORTHERN TERMINUS OF U.S.
380, BE ACKNOWLEDGED AS A CRITICAL REGIONAL PROJECT AND BE PRIORITIZED FOR
ACCELERATED COMPLETION
WHEREAS, efficient non-congested transportation in the region is a necessary component for economic
growth, air quality, safety and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, nearly 90,000 vehicles are added annually to the streets and highways of the Dallas-Fort
Worth Transportation Management Area (Region); and
WHEREAS, the metropolitan area is the ninth largest metropolitan area in the country and is expected to
grow by one million persons each decade, which by 2025 is a 75% increase over 1999 and modeled travel
in the region will increase by 87%; and
WHEREAS, Denton County is part of the North Central Texas, Transportation Management Area
(TMA), the largest of the eight TMAs in the state of Texas; and
WHEREAS, according to "Texas Metropolitan Plan: Breaking the Gridlock" published by North
Central Texas Council of Government July 2004, the Dallas Fort Worth TMA is estimated to have lost
$5.3 billion of productivity during the year 2000 due to the cumulative amount of time spent in traffic
congestion; and
WHEREAS, Farm to Market Road 423 (FM 423) is a regional arterial and significant component of the
Metropolitan Transportation System for the Dallas Fort Worth metropolitan area in which regional
arterials are forecast to carry 20% of all vehicular traffic in the region; and
WHEREAS, the Regional Thoroughfare Plan as developed by the North Central Texas Council of
Governments identifies a thoroughfare network that has regional travel significance composed of two
arterial categories: regional arterials and other arterials; and
WHEREAS, The "Mobility 2025 Plan Update" identifies Farm to Market Road 423 as a "regional
arterial segment" (Dallas District (18), thoroughfare #272); and
WHEREAS, enhancement of FM 423 is subject to that certain Memorandum of Understanding, pending
approval by the Regional Transportation Council and the Texas Transportation Commission, which
would provide state and federal funding for State Highway system improvements of which FM 423 would
be a state highway system improvement; and
WHEREAS, FM 423 from SH 121 to U.S. 380 is composed of two segments: a north segment from
Stewarts Creek Road to U.S. 380 and a south segment from State Highway 121 to Stewarts Creek Road;
and
WHEREAS, the "near neighbor - near time" local projects developed in conjunction with regional and
state projects facilitated by the construction of segments of State Highway 121 as an electronic toll
Doc ID SCOTR-860159
03498-004
facility will provide significant mobility options both in the region and in, around and through The
Colony, which will place additional traffic and congestion pressure on FM 423; and
WHEREAS, the traffic volumes for the southern segment of FM 423 between State Highway 121 and
Stewarts Creek Road are currently estimated to be over 30,000 Average Daily Traffic (ADT) count with
traffic projections for 2025 in this segment estimated to exceed 55,000 ADT, which will cause FM 423 to
be one of the three most heavily utilized regional arterials in Denton County; and
WHEREAS, the southern segment of FM 423 is a 3.6 mile segment with a point of beginning at State
Highway 121 and a point of ending at Stewarts Creek road with environmental assessment, controlled
schematic, and plan, specifications and estimates which have not yet been completed, placing it in terms
of planning, behind the northern segment ofFM 423; and
WHEREAS, the timely, coordinated completion of both the northern and southern segments of FM 423,
in conjunction with completion of Farm to Market Road 720, will help alleviate additional traffic
congestion, safety and air quality issues in The Colony and the region; and
WHEREAS, the Honorable Sandy Jacobs, Denton County Commissioner, Precinct 2, through the State
Highway 121 Task Force, has consistently championed the planning, funding and construction of State
Highway 121 and associated arterials, including FM 423, and is currently exploring mechanisms to utilize
county assistance and funding to facilitate and expedite the southern segment of FM 423 _ within The
Colony - to permit a coordinated and planned systematic completion of the advanced planning, right-of-
way acquisition, construction, timing and opening for traffic with the northern segment and other
identified regional arterial projects.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of The Colony:
SECTION 1. AUTHORITY
The Mayor, or Mayor's designee, is hereby authorized and directed to implement the applicable
provisions of this Resolution.
SECTION 2. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The governing body of the City of The Colony does hereby acknowledge that Farm to Market Road
FM 423 is a regional arterial of significance within the Dallas Ft. Worth District and one of the primary
regional arterials within Denton County that has and will sustain average daily traffic increases at or near
other major state highways within Denton County over the next several years, creating an imperative for
timely capacity expansion.
SECTION 3. RECOMMENDATION
The governing body of the City of The Colony does hereby recommend and memorialize to the
County of Denton, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the Regional Transportation
Council and through them Texas Transportation Council, the need to prioritize the advance planning for
FM 423, including the environment assessment, control schematic, right-of-way acquisition, utility
relocation, completion of plans, specifications and estimates on a prioritized schedule allowing the
construction bid letting and facility construction of FM 423 to occur in a near time, coordinated manner
with the FM 423 northern segment capacity improvements and FM 720 completion, thereby permitting
capacity improvement openings to be achieved in a single, specified time frame.
Doc ID SCOTR-860159
03498-004
-
SECTION 4. COMMENDATION
The governing body of the City of The Colony does hereby officially recognize and commend the
Honorable Sandy Jacobs, County Commissioner, Precinct 2, for achieving major transportation projects
for the county and particularly for her efforts to encourage, facilitate and implement, through the
combination of federal, state and county funding, measures which will permit the completion of the
capacity enhancements to the southern segment of FM 423 in a timely fashion and allow it to be opened
to traffic consistent with the projected completion of the northern segment of FM 423 and coordinated
with other regional arterial improvements.
SECTION 5. NOTICE
The City Manager is instructed to convey a copy of this Resolution to those entities that are necessary
and appropriate to facilitate the actions recommended herein.
SECTION 6. EFFECTNE DATE
This Resolution shall take effect from and after the date of its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED this ~ of October, 2004.
/s/-¥ ~JJD
Mayor
ATIES;~ a~/7dd¿j~~
CIty Secretary/CIerI<
/s/
Doc ID SCOTR-860159
03498-004