Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Supporting Regional Transportation Initiatives in Collin County and Providing Guiding Principles for the Development of a US 380 Freeway Alignment
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Direction for Strategic and Economic Growth
(1A: Establish regional and infrastructure incentives to increase economic growth)
MEETING DATE: October 15, 2019
DEPARTMENT: Development Services / Engineering
CONTACT: Gary Graham, PE, Director of Engineering
Nick Ataie, PE, Engineering CIP Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• This Resolution provides support of regional transportation initiatives in Collin County, including current efforts by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) related to the US 380 Collin County Feasibility Study.
• The Resolution does not support a specific alignment associated with the TxDOT US 380 Collin County Feasibility Study but outlines guiding principles that the proposed facility should achieve.
• This Resolution also acknowledges support and cooperation in regional mobility issues and priorities, such as freeways and improvements of roadways in the City of McKinney that are to the benefit of the surrounding area and other cities in Collin County.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• Collin County has experienced dramatic growth in the past 35 years the population is projected to increase 166% between 2018 and 2040 (Source: “2014 Texas Population Projections by Migration Scenario Data” Texas State Demographer, WEB. 23 April 2018).
• Highway congestion in Collin County is also forecasted to increase dramatically, with drivers in the County expected to spend 415,198 vehicle hours in delay in 2030 (Source: North Central Texas Council of Governments).
• This high level of growth will place a significant burden on the existing Collin County transportation system. Consequently, a comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing approach towards alleviating existing and projected mobility problems is a high priority.
• US 380, as Collin County’s primary east-west corridor, has previously been identified as a priority project by regional mobility partners including TxDOT, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, and Collin County.
• In 2016, the US 380 corridor was included in the Collin County Roadway Action Plan and a feasibility study by TxDOT was initiated.
• TxDOT adopted a recommended alignment for US 380 in May of 2019.
• The recommended alignment as well as other alignments will be reexamined during the next phase of the project, the Environmental Impact Study (EIS)
• The following guiding principles have been developed to provide TxDOT input that should be considered as they conduct the EIS for the US 380 Collin County Feasibility Study:
o A cooperative partnership with regional stakeholders that promotes and technically supports the best long-term regional mobility solutions.
o Any planned mobility improvements should support a regional system of improvements, such as linking the east-west improvements of US 380 with the needed north-south mobility improvements in Collin County, Texas.
o The proposed corridor should seek to minimize the facility footprint, where available, to reduce impacts to the surrounding environment without sacrifice to the mobility goals of the project.
o Any proposed corridor “bypass” alignment from existing US 380 should provide the most efficient and direct route through Collin County and any such alignment alternatives should be evaluated technically and fairly while seeking to reduce disruptions to existing development and the environment.
o Any proposed corridor shall include as much physical, visual, and sound separation from existing neighborhoods.
• The City Council has previously adopted Resolution No. 2016-05-064 (R), stating the City of McKinney does not support the conversion of US 380 to a Limited access Roadway because of the significant amount of ROW needed for this conversion will adversely impact many existing businesses and approved planned developments currently along the corridor. Adverse impacts to these businesses and developments will also negatively influence an important portion of the city’s commercial tax base. However, the City does support improvements to the roadway that will improve capacity and mobility.
• For more information about the ongoing TxDOT US 380 Feasibility Study, visit: www.drive380.com <http://www.drive380.com>.
• For more information about the Regional Mobility Plan (Mobility 2040 Plan), visit: www.nctcog.org/mobility2040 <http://www.nctcog.org/mobility2040>.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A