Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Supporting the Designation of an Interstate Highway Route Beginning at the Junction of Interstate Highway 30 and the Outer Loop in Rockwall County, Continuing North and West Along the Future Alignment of the Outer Loop to its Junction with US 75 and then Continuing North Along US 75
Summary
MEETING DATE: March 19, 2013
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/Engineering
CONTACT: Gary Graham, PE, PTOE, Transportation Engineering Manager
Jack Carr, PE, Director of Engineering
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
· Approval of Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
· This Resolution takes the following actions:
o Supports the designation of an interstate highway route beginning at the junction of Interstate Highway 30 and the Outer Loop in Rockwall County, continuing north and west along the future alignment of the Outer Loop to its junction with US 75 and then continuing north along US 75.
o Supports the efforts of Collin County officials to have the Outer Loop added to the 2040 Mobility Plan.
o Supports the concept that the Outer Loop should serve as a bypass of the Metroplex, thereby allowing the section of US 75 from McKinney to Dallas to be used as a commuter corridor, as it functions today.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· This item was tabled at the March 5, 2013 Council meeting.
· For over two years, leaders in Texas and Oklahoma have been evaluating the feasibility and desirability to designate the US 75/69 Corridor as an interstate highway. The limits of the designation would extend from the northern terminus of existing I-45 in Dallas to I-44 near Big Cabin, OK.
· Improvements to the Panama Canal are currently underway. The improved canal is scheduled to be completed in 2015 and will accommodate wider and longer ships, thereby increasing the capacity of the canal. With this increase in capacity, there is a concern that there will be an increase in volume of freight that will be transported via truck, from the ports in Texa...
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