White Rock Valley Neighborhood Association

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Richard Mason <RMASON3@dot.state.tx.us>
To: bobmurdoch54@att.net; caroline.nosworthy@dallascityhall.com; erica.ferron@dallascityhall.com
Cc: Blake Axen <BAXEN@dot.state.tx.us>; Cynthia Northrop White <CNORTHR@dot.state.tx.us>; Dan Perge <DPERGE@dot.state.tx.us>; jbush@dot.state.tx.us; Paul Williams <PWILLI1@dot.state.tx.us>; Stan Hall <SHALL@dot.state.tx.us>
Sent: Tue, June 29, 2010 11:28:01 AM
Subject: Dallas City Council Representative Sheffield Kadane's Web site Question, csj: 0353-05-084 Northwest Hwy

Mr. Murdoch,
I have received your query from Councilman Kadane's office seeking data regarding the closing of some of the trails in White Rock Lake Park. You also indicated that your were going to contact Councilman Allen, so I am also copying his office on this reply as well.

TxDOT will be closing the crossing of the north-south bike trail at West Lawther Drive to traffic in order to construct the elevated intersection approach, to the elevated bridges on the Northwest Highway at White Rock Creek.  An alternative route to crossing the Northwest Highway  will be provided at Buckner Blvd at the Northwest Highway. We have been meeting with the City and Park department staff to work out the details of the proposed alternative route, which will be in place for about two years, until the bridge construction is completed ( Spring 2012).

We have looked at the design details several times and there is no rational alternative to the phased construction design that is in place on the project. We will keep  east and west bound vehicular access open on the Northwest Highway, at the intersection of West Lawther Drive, so that the businesses located there will have public access to their business.

Upon completion of the project, a new protected ( north-south) dedicated bike and pedestrian route (passage way)  under the Northwest Highway at West Lawther Drive will be available as well as a new one mile dedicated bike and pedestrian trail from the DART Station to Goforth Drive at Flag Pole Hill will be opened to the public.

We regret that their will be a temporary inconvenience to the public as part of the construction phase of this project; but it cannot be avoided if we are to  build the improvements.

Sincerely yours,
RCM



Richard C. Mason, AICP, ASLA.
TxDOT, Advanced Project Development
Dallas District:  Project Manager,
District State Transportation Enhancement Coordinator,
District Bicycle Coordinator.
Rmason3@Dot.State.Tx.Us