Collin County Outer Loop Alignment Study--Trans Texas Highway close to us!

[bailey]

Thought it would be good to generate discussion and share information on the Proposed route for the Trans Texas Highway. As I understand it the most probable route will only be approximately 3 miles to the East of Lavon.....see the maps/links:

Main page where all the general info is:
http://www.co.collin.tx.us/commissioners_court/mobility_projects/outerloop.jsp

Actual map of our community and the proposed highway to our east:
http://www.co.collin.tx.us/commissioners_court/mobility_projects/outer_loop/CC_Sect3_091406.pdf

[The Admin]

In the end, this is probably good thing for Lavon, granted I already have great concerns about the amount of traffic out here already. So the way I see it, it looks like they are trying to connect Interstate 30 to 380. With a closer major route nearby, I think the entire area will grow more then it is already. The bad thing about this immediate area is that there is only one way in and out of Lavon, which is highway 78. I've also heard that there is talk about a Rockwall bypass, to quickly get from 205 to Interstate 30, thus bypassing downtown Rockwall, but I haven't heard anything lately about that proposal. The next few years will be interesting.

[Curt]

Also on the subject of rumors...I heard talk last year of building a bridge, somewhere near the powerplant, that goes all the way across the lake (east to west).  Anyone heard that one?  That freeway plan looks far enough away not to effect us.

[The Admin]

I've heard that a couple of bridges were planned down the road, but those were rumors years ago. I haven't heard of anything recently. Any bridge at this point would be extremely nice for those of use that end up in Plano quite a bit. At the moment, there just isn't an easy way to get to Plano or anywhere in that area. The city hall had a map that showed were the future bridges might end up.

[The Admin]

The September presentation has some usefull information in it, in case anyone missed it:

http://www.co.collin.tx.us/commissioners_court/mobility_projects/outer_loop/CCOL_PM7_091406.pdf

[bailey]

Thanks for the info. One thing is for sure, this area will be getting a lot busier. I hope people are starting to think about the implications of that and planning appropriately. 

[The Admin]

So out of curiosity, has anyone heard anything new about this subject? I haven't had time to go dig around lately to see if there are any new developments. I'm also curious if anyone has heard anything recently about when they might widen 78 between Wylie and 205.
Thanks!

[ndanieltx]

Slightly off topic here - But does anyone know a) why the road across Levon dam is closed and b) if and when it would be reopened?

Be nice to be able to drive across the lake.. Especially if 78 is really congested. Is that possibly the reason its closed? They are afraid some excessive traffic would divert to cross over? I dont understand it frankly..

Thx!
Nate

[Curt]

According to Army Corp of Engineers it is closed "indefinitely".  

Q: How long will the dam road be closed?

A: The road across the dam will be closed indefinitely. All facilities can be accessed by using Hwy 78.

http://www1.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/lavon/FAQ'S.htm#MISC

Don't know the reasoning behind it, but don't worry in another 10 years they will have the bridge across the lake planned and built.  

[ndanieltx]

Hrm.. Well you think they would state some sort of justification or reason. If our tax dollars paid for it to be made, then they should state a reason it will be closed.. Just my .02 heh...

Thanks for the reply!

[The Admin]

The dam was closed shortly after Sep. 11th, and was closed for that reason, the whole terrorism thing. Granted, I can't figure out their logic behind this one. What is even worse, if 78 gets shut down due to a wreck, well, you sit and wait it out. You would think they could at least open the road across the dam temporarily, but oh well...the joy of living out here ...

[bbraley]

One explanation for the dam road remaining closed has to do with Dallas.  If the Lavon dam was destroyed, the amount of water would flood Ray Hubbard and disable the power plant that sits on Ray Hubbard and feeds at least a portion of Dallas.

On the subject of a bridge, according to info gained at a city council meeting from one of the Grand Heritage developers, the talk is to use the peninsula to put in two short bridges.  I don't know any timeline, but one end of the bridge is supposed to go somewhere between St. Paul and Lucas.  I think the other end will probably end up around the power plant.

At this point, according to the City Marshall, the state has no immediate plans to widen 78 at this time.  I did see another post that talked about the 205 bypass in Rockwall being finished by winter of 2008.  That will be very nice for me since I go that way every day to and from work.

[The Admin]

Ah, that at least makes a little more sense as to why the dam is closed. Granted, with the small gates on it, anyone could crash the gate and do what they want, so I fall back that it still doesn't make much sense to close it. Too bad that 78 isn't going to be widened any time soon as it really needs it. Rockwall can sure use the 205 bypass as driving in and out of Rockwall during either rush hour is really, really painfull!

[The Admin]

If anyone is bored, you can take a look at the 2007 bond program and read the transportation report which has maps and what have you. Anyway, highway 78 is mentioned on various pages. Now, I don't know if this actually passed or not. If anyone wants to dig a bit further to see, it would be interesting to find out.

http://www.co.collin.tx.us/public_information/features/bond_ballot.jsp

[Curt]

Two interesting things I found in there.

1) There is going to be a new rail line going through the middle of town and then along 78 to Wylie?

2) They are expecting the population to TRIPLE in the next 8 years?!?!?  Yikes.