Here is the list of questions that were posed at the meeting last Tuesday. We are having a meeting this tuesday with some officials from the city and we will try and get answers for these questions and some more infomation that we will pass on to you here. The momentum is gathering. keep it up with the petitions and letter writing campaign.
Do we know if the project money is lost if it doesn't get spent in a certain period of time?
What is the position of our Town leadership (mayor and council members) on this project?
What is the impact on property values and quality of property ownership? Example: Westin Rd in 40% rentals now.
What will be the impact on area crime?
Is the median really wide enough in all places to accommodate the extra lanes?
Will they have to tear out all of the trees and irrigation upgrades installed last year?
Does the Town have the power to stop this project? How do they stop it?
Do we need legal representation?
What kind of truck traffic will be allowed? (eg weight or axle limits?) What is allowed currently?
How long will it take to complete construction? Can they really do it in 12 months? Especially if they do it in sections as claimed?
Are fire/emt response times a factor in this project?
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Hey Everyone,
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I’m running for City Council Place 3 in May and I’m against the widening of Morriss Rd. With that said, today, I and all of the candidates received a FAQ on the Morriss Rd. issue from the Town. With the info they gave us, I’m happy to say that I can answer your questions from the meeting.
Q: Do we know if the project money is lost if it doesn't get spent in a certain period of time?
A: Yes, but not for a long time. “The largest portion of the funding comes from the SH 121 Toll revenue totaling $9.7 million. The Town will have 10 years to complete the construction from the date of a funding agreement being executed. The Town anticipates a funding agreement to be executed within the next two months.”
Also note this: “If the Town decided to not use the SH 121 Toll revenue on the Morriss/Gerault improvement project, the designated funding will return to the region and any other project would compete with projects from other local agencies and/or the State. The Denton County Commissioners Court will have the option to reallocate bond funds throughout the County.
Q: What are the positions of the Mayor and current council members.
A: Bjorn is getting that together, check his post.
Q: What is the impact on property values and quality of property ownership?
A: This is a direct quote from the e-mail I received today: “The provision of adequate transportation is generally regarded as a basic local government service. As such, needed improvements such as those planned for Morriss and Gerault would not be viewed as a negative factor relatative to property values.” – Draw your own conclusions, but I would suggest you ask the people on 2499 what happened to their property values.
Q: What will be the impact on area crime?
A: Again, a direct quote from the FAQ: “The Town does not expect any roadway project to affect crime rates.”
Q: Is the median really wide enough in all places to accommodate the extra lanes?
A: “The median section of Morriss/Gerault will be narrowed by approximately 25 feet; however, the remaining 16 to 24-foot-median will be landscaped to improve the overall aesthetic character of the corridor. The existing parkways will remain unaltered with the potential exception of isolated locations where right-turn lanes may be added.”
Additional Info: “No additional rights-of-way or property acquisition is anticipated to be required to complete the project. The additional capacity will be constructed within the limits of the existing median. Due to the fact that this project has been planned for almost 30 years, the Town constructed the existing roadway to accommodate the additional lanes with minimal disruption.
It is anticipated that all current median opening and left-turn locations will remain unchanged once the improvements are complete. Any median openings that serve driveways or streets that currently do not have left-turn lanes will be modified to include turn lanes at those locations. In addition, during the design process, each major intersection will be evaluated to ensure that appropriate turn lanes exist for efficient operation.”
Q: Will they have to tear out all of the trees and irrigation upgrades installed last year?
A: “The trees that have been recently planted can remain and additional landscaping with irrigation is planned to be installed with the project. Some older trees that exist within the median will need to be removed with the project. In addition, the Town has enlisted the assistance of a landscape architect to create a Median and Rights-of-way Landscape Master Plan to ensure all of the Town’s major thoroughfares are adequately landscaped with consistent and uniform features.
The landscaping and irrigation installed in 2008 were designed to accommodate the future expansion of Morriss/Gerault. However, to be consistent with the referenced Median and Rights-of-Way Landscape Master Plan, some of the landscaping could be altered or relocated, if warranted.”
Q: Does the Town have the power to stop this project? How do they stop it?
Do we need legal representation?
A: Yes, if we can elect three new Council Members who are against this project, we can stop it.
From the e-mail: “The next scheduled public hearing specific to this project will occur in August during the Town Council adoption process of the annual budget and Five-Year CIP.”
Also: “The Town Council will consider and vote on this project in two stages; the award of design and the award of construction contracts.”
This is still in the beginning stages, the design hasn’t even been approved yet.
Q: What kind of truck traffic will be allowed? (eg weight or axle limits?) What is allowed currently?
A: “The Town has established four truck routes by ordinance. Those routes are FM 2499, FM 1171, FM 407, and FM 3040. Though trucks are allowed on other roadways for purposes such as deliveries, truck traffic on non-truck routes would typically account for one to three percent of total traffic. Due to the proximity to nearby freeways, state highways, and farm-to-market roads, the Town does not anticipate any increase in the percentage of truck traffic.”
Q: How long will it take to complete construction? Can they really do it in 12 months? Especially if they do it in sections as claimed?
A: “Project design is anticipated to take approximately 12 months, and construction will last 12 to 18 months. As such, project design would be complete in the summer of 2010 and construction would be complete mid-to-late 2011.”
Q: Are fire/emt response times a factor in this project?
A: “Emergency response times are typically studied and examined assuming that adequate capacity exists along a given route. Then, response times are determined based upon a distance travelled and assumed speed. Typically, response times are given as an average, so there would not be an anticipated impact due to this project. However, during peak periods, response times along congested corridors can be affected on a case-by-case basis and providing adequate transportation routes is important for that reason.”
It seems pretty clear to me that someone from the city was taking notes at our meeting last week and that’s a start. This project is not on the runway as was implied at our meeting and with the right leadership we can stop it.
You know my position and if you want to support me, please go to my website: www.bobforflomo.com.
I just found the full FAQ on the town website, here it is: http://www.flower-mound.com/morriss/faq.php
ReplyDeleteI received the following FAQ from my HOA. I think it is the same one sent out by the city last week.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the scope of the project?
A: This is a roadway capacity expansion project that includes the addition of two lanes within the existing median. In addition, improvements to various intersections will be examined during project design.
Why is the project necessary?
A: The project is needed to serve the short-term and long-term traffic demands projected for the Morriss/Gerault Road corridor. Even with the increased capacity provided by the two new lanes, long-range traffic volumes will exceed capacity on Morris/Gerault Road, FM 2499, and Garden Ridge.
How will the new lanes affect traffic?
A: The addition of two lanes to Morriss and Gerault will provide the necessary near-term capacity to accommodate planned growth in the corridor and to serve as an alternate north-south corridor for Flower Mound residents. Planned improvements to the intersection of Gerault at FM 2499 will also improve access to the scheduled improvements on FM 2499 associated with the DFW Connector project. In addition, improvements to the interchanges of SH 121 at Freeport Parkway and Grapevine Mills Parkway will result in the Gerault-to-Lakeside-to-SH 121 route being a viable alternative to FM 2499 for Flower Mound commuters.
How will traffic flows be impacted if the expansion does not take place?
A: If the capacity improvements are not made, the same north-to-south traffic demands will exist in these corridors, resulting in higher congestion levels, undesirable cut-through traffic in neighborhoods, increased commute times and delays, and higher vehicle emissions.
What is the anticipated project schedule?
A: Project design is anticipated to take approximately 12 months, and construction will last 12 to 18 months. As such, project design would be complete in the summer of 2010 and construction would be complete mid-to-late 2011.
Is this a State, County, or Town project?
A: This is a Town project.
Who has final authority to approve the expansion project?
A: The Town Council will consider and vote on this project in two stages; the award of design and the award of construction contracts.
How is the project being funded?
A: No Flower Mound ad valorem or sales tax funding is being utilized to make these improvements. This project is being funded through three separate outside sources. The first source of funding is SH 121 Toll revenue, the second source is Denton County Roadway Bond revenue, and the third source is the developer of The River Walk at Central Park. In order to obtain this funding, the Town competed with other governmental agencies and projects, and the Morriss/Gerault corridor was evaluated, ranked for need and impact, and judged funding-worthy by several regional and state transportation agencies.
Is there a deadline to utilize the funding?
A: Yes, the largest portion of funding for this project is the SH 121 Toll revenue totaling $9.7 million. The Town will have 10 years to complete construction from the date of a funding agreement being executed. The Town anticipates a funding agreement to be executed within the next two months.
Can the funding be used for other purposes or projects?
A: If the Town decided to not use the SH 121 Toll revenue on the Morriss/Gerault improvement project, the designated funding will return to the region and any other project would compete with projects from other local agencies and/or the State. The Denton County Commissioners Court will have the option to reallocate bond funds throughout the County.
Where will the new lanes be constructed, and will additional rights-of-way or property be needed?
A: No additional rights-of-way or property acquisition is anticipated to be required to complete the project. The additional capacity will be constructed within the limits of the existing median. Due to the fact that this project has been planned for almost 30 years, the Town constructed the existing roadway to accommodate the additional lanes with minimal disruption.
How will the overall aesthetics of the Morriss/Gerault corridor be affected?
A: The median section of Morriss/Gerault will be narrowed by approximately 25 feet; however, the remaining 16 to 24-foot-median will be landscaped to improve the overall aesthetic character of the corridor. The existing parkways will remain unaltered with the potential exception of isolated locations where right-turn lanes may be added.
Will Morriss/Gerault Road still have sidewalks once complete?
A: Yes, existing sidewalks will remain in place and sidewalk gaps will be connected in conjunction with the expansion project.
Will there be enough median left for trees, landscaping, and irrigation?
A: Yes, the trees that have been recently planted can remain and additional landscaping with irrigation is planned to be installed with the project. Some older trees that exist within the median will need to be removed with the project. In addition, the Town has enlisted the assistance of a landscape architect to create a Median and Rights-of-way Landscape Master Plan to ensure all of the Town’s major thoroughfares are adequately landscaped with consistent and uniform features.
Will the landscaping and irrigation installed in 2008 be removed or negatively impacted?
A: The landscaping and irrigation installed in 2008 were designed to accommodate the future expansion of Morriss/Gerault. However, to be consistent with the referenced Median and Rights-of-Way Landscape Master Plan, some of the landscaping could be altered or relocated, if warranted.
Will there be a new speed limit once the road is expanded?
A: The Town establishes speed limits in accordance with state law, which requires the speed limit to be based upon the speed of the vehicles using the roadway. During construction, the speed limit would either remain unchanged or would be lowered. Ultimately, the Town does not anticipate the permanent speed limit to change as a result of the expansion.
How will the expansion affect traffic noise levels along the corridor?
A: The Town anticipates that no significant impacts to noise levels would result from this project. Due to the nature of the project adding the new lanes to the center median, any additional traffic will be as far as possible from adjacent properties. In addition, landscaping planned for the project should provide some noise mitigation.
Will sound walls be constructed in conjunction with the expansion?
A: No, it is not projected that noise levels will necessitate a need for sound walls.
What kind of truck traffic will be allowed once the road is expanded?
A: The Town has established four truck routes by ordinance. Those routes are FM 2499, FM 1171, FM 407, and FM 3040. Though trucks are allowed on other roadways for purposes such as deliveries, truck traffic on non-truck routes would typically account for one to three percent of total traffic. Due to the proximity to nearby freeways, state highways, and farm-to-market roads, the Town does not anticipate any increase in the percentage of truck traffic.
How will the Town address school safety along the route?
A: The Town has a strong record of providing safe school routes, and the Morriss/Gerault Road corridor is no exception. The Town implements reduced-speed school zones marked with yellow flashing beacons, prohibits the use of hand-held wireless devices within an active school zone, and provides crossing guards at certain school crossings. Sidewalks are also provided and a below-grade crossing exists at Morriss and Garden road for pedestrians using the nearby trail system. In conjunction with this project, the Town will also examine improvements to the below-grade crossing as well as the installation of actuated beacons at the guarded school crossings.
Will median openings and left turn lane locations be affected?
A: It is anticipated that all current median opening and left-turn locations will remain unchanged once the improvements are complete. Any median openings that serve driveways or streets that currently do not have left-turn lanes will be modified to include turn lanes at those locations. In addition, during the design process, each major intersection will be evaluated to ensure that appropriate turn lanes exist for efficient operation.
Will any current subdivision entrances be affected?
A: There are no planned changes to subdivision access to Morriss or Gerault.
Have there been any community meetings or public hearings on this project?
A: There have been a number of public hearings and opportunities for public input associated with this project. The 1981 Master Thoroughfare Plan, which is a component of the Town’s Master Plan, indicated that Morriss/Gerault should be a major arterial, or 6-lane divided roadway. The Master Thoroughfare Plan was adopted again in 2000, 2004, and most recently in 2009, with no changes to the designation of Morriss and Gerault as major arterials. Consideration and adoption of all of the Master Thoroughfare Plans involved opportunities for public input and comment. Additional opportunity for public input was provided annually during the Town’s budget adoption process. The Town’s budget includes the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget, which forecasts all Town-implemented projects for the next five years and beyond. During the last budget process, the widening of Morriss and Gerault was approved, with design to occur during FY 2008-2009 and construction to begin in FY 2009-2010, or as soon as design is complete. The expansion of Morriss/Gerault was also included in the Denton County Roadway bond election held in November 2008, affording further opportunity for public input. Denton County Commissioners Andy Eads and Bobbie Mitchell provided additional details to the public at the October 20, 2008, Town Council meeting outlining the roads contained within the bond program, including Morriss/Gerault. The Denton County Roadway bond program was subsequently approved by Denton County voters on November 4, 2008. Plans to expand Morriss/Gerault are proceeding in conjunction with The River Walk at Central Park project. The Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) for The River Walk at Central Park project indicated that the level of service on Morriss/Gerault would be negatively impacted once the project was constructed. As a condition of the approval of this large-scale project, the developer was required to contribute toward the expansion of the roadway. This project, and the related TIA and Thoroughfare Plan, were also discussed at numerous Planning and Zoning, Town Council, and Transportation Commission meetings in 2008.
Will there be additional public input opportunities specific to this project?
A: The next scheduled public hearing specific to this project will occur in August during the Town Council adoption process of the annual budget and Five-Year CIP.
Has the Town conducted the necessary studies (environmental, traffic, etc.) associated with this project?
A: The Town will include the necessary water quality protection elements, such as erosion control, within the design effort for the project. Numerous studies have been conducted through the years regarding the need for Morriss/Gerault to be a major arterial. Additional studies were conducted associated with The River Walk at Central Park review process. Further, the documented need for these improvements were significant factors in the SH 121 Toll and Denton County Roadway Bond funding project selection processes.
Will the expansion affect property values along the Morriss/Gerault corridor or in adjacent neighborhoods?
A: The provision of adequate transportation is generally regarded as a basic local government service. As such, needed improvements such as those planned for Morriss and Gerault would not be viewed as a negative factor relative to property values.
Will the expansion affect the crime rate in the neighborhoods along the corridor?
A: The Town does not expect any roadway project to affect crime rates.
Will the expansion affect air quality in our community?
A: Due to the anticipated reduction in future congestion and delays that would result from the proposed improvements, this project is considered as a benefit to air quality.
How will the project affect Fire Department, Ambulance, and Police Department emergency response times when complete?
A: Emergency response times are typically studied and examined assuming that adequate capacity exists along a given route. Then, response times are determined based upon a distance travelled and assumed speed. Typically, response times are given as an average, so there would not be an anticipated impact due to this project. However, during peak periods, response times along congested corridors can be affected on a case-by-case basis and providing adequate transportation routes is important for that reason.
How will The River Walk at Central Park development affect the project?
A: The River Walk at Central Park development is one of the near-term catalysts for this project. A Traffic Impact Analysis was completed with this project and the developer of the project was required to contribute a proportionate share of the cost for improvements.
How will the Morriss/Gerault Road corridor compare to FM 2499 and FM 1171 when complete?
A: As referenced above, landscaping of the medians is planned to occur with this project to enhance the aesthetic quality of the Morriss/Gerault corridor. Due to the curvilinear alignment of the project, and the presence of numerous closely-spaced intersections, typical vehicle speeds in this corridor should be lower than along FM 2499 and FM 1171. Further, the projected volumes for the Morriss/Gerault corridor are considerably lower than those projected for FM 2499 and FM 1171. Though all three corridors are classified as major arterials on the Town’s Master Thoroughfare Plan, the Town anticipates that the Morriss/Gerault corridor will be the commute route of choice for Flower Mound residents living east of FM 2499, while FM 2499 will serve more regional trips.
Where can I get more information regarding the Morriss/Gerault Road improvement project?
A: Updated information will be provided via the Town of Flower Mound Web site, located at www.flower-mound.com, Flower Mound’s dedicated transportation E-Town news bulletin, and FMTV.