COOPERATION BETWEEN CITY OF TERRELL AND TxDOT DALLAS DISTRICT BRINGS ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS TO FM148 S AND IH 120 TO SUPPORT PROJECTED AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (4/2/2014)
Terrell Two projects are being officially kicked off this morning, Wednesday, April 2, 2014, that will benefit Terrell and Kaufman County by supporting projected growth in population and traffic levels in the area. As a result of a “pass through” funding agreement between the City of Terrell and TxDOT/Dallas, and with the financial assistance of Kaufman County, Terrell Economic Development Corporation, and Developers, two of a total group of five transportation projects are officially breaking ground today.
Improvements include:
• Two new travel lanes being added to FM 178 - from Spur 557 to IH-20 – giving the road two 12-ft. inside travel lanes and two 14-ft. outside lanes, as well as an 8 ft. wide paved shoulder. According to project documents, this new capacity would result in minimal delays, even up to the year 2030, based on growth projections from the TxDOT Transportation Planning and Programming Division (TPP). The traffic count is projected to be 23,300 vehicles per day (VPD) at that time, up from 16,000 VPD when the last count was taken in 2010. A 14-ft. wide median will be created with dedicated turn lanes for added safety to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
• A new westbound exit ramp and frontage road will be added on IH-20 that will allow for improved access for the developments along that corridor, including the future Buc-ee’s and Baylor Health Care Systems facility.
• Planned accommodations for future development of a 5-ft wide, ADA-compliant sidewalks.
Speakers for the event include: the Mayor of the City of Terrell, Hal Richards; Kaufman County Judge, Bruce Wood; and TxDOT Dallas District Engineer, Bill Hale. Mike Sims, Assistant City Manager of the City of Terrell will host the presentation.
Raba Kistner Infrastructure has served as Program Manager for the Terrell Pass-Through Toll Program, whose role has included ensuring that the Projects meet State and Federal rules and comply with the Pass Through Toll Agreement. According to Bruce Nipp, PE, with Raba Kistner Infrastructure, who is acting as Regional Construction Manager for the project, “The Construction Cost of the FM 148 project is $1,820,532, and the Construction Cost of the IH-20 is $2,619,188. Both projects are scheduled to be completed by October 1, 2014. Already businesses such as Buc-ee’s – as part of the Terrell Market Center - the Crossroads at Terrell, and Baylor Health Care Systems have plans for the area that is being served by the improved facility.”
Other projects funded by the Pass Through Agreement and in various phases of development include:
• Developing new ramps at Spur 557 at CR 305, which should finish this spring;
• New frontage road and ramps along Spur 557; and
• Improvements on FM 148 including replacing the Bridge and approaches