TxDOT Holds Public Hearing on Proposed I-30 Improvements

(ROCKWALL, TX – February 1, 2019) The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) welcomed residents to an open house and public hearing on Thursday, Jan. 31, regarding its proposed project bringing improvements to I-30. The well-attended event, which took place at the Royse City High School cafeteria, offered an opportunity for residents to view project design schematics and maps, talk with TxDOT representatives about the project, and submit written comments.

According to TxDOT, the purpose of the proposed project is to provide for future growth within the project corridor by reducing traffic congestion and improving mobility. The proposed improvements to I-30 would:

Reconstruct and/or widen I-30 from Bass Pro Drive in Dallas County to west of FM 2642 in Rockwall County, approximately 17 miles through the cities of Garland, Rowlett, Rockwall, Mobile City, Fate, and Royse City.
Add shoulders to the four main lanes of I-30 from Bass Pro Dr. to Horizon Rd. (currently three lanes and one auxiliary lane in each direction).
Widen I-30 from six main lanes (three lanes in each direction) to eight main lanes (four lanes in each direction) from Dalrock Rd. to SH 205, and reconstruct the four discontinuous frontage roads (two lanes in each direction) to six-lane continuous frontage roads (three lanes in each direction), to include bicycle and pedestrian accommodations crossing Lake Ray Hubbard.
Widen I-30 from four main lanes (two lanes in each direction) to six main lanes (three lanes in each direction) from SH 205 to west of FM 2642 (Hunt County Line), and reconstruct the existing four-lane frontage roads (two lanes in each direction).
Reconstruct the interchanges at Horizon Rd., FM 548, and FM 35
Construct new interchanges at Ben Payne Rd. / Rochelle Rd., Blackland Rd., and Floyd Rd. (future Outer Loop), and associated ramp modifications

In his presentation during the public hearing, TxDOT Project Manager Mike Garrison said the project will cost an estimated $627 million. He said construction for the project will be delivered in phases and is not expected to start until the fall of 2022. Construction will take approximately three to four years to complete.

During the public comments portion of the public hearing, TxDOT heard from a couple residents who own businesses alongside I-30. William Slaughter, owner of American Storage of Rockwall-Fate at 4100 E. I-30, said the current FM 3549 bridge project has already negatively affected his business, and voiced his concern about the proposed I-30 improvements moving forward.

“I’ve been a business owner there for two years, and a couple months after I took over, this project hit me hard with the bridge going down FM 3549. It’s been a struggle. I’ve asked many times when it’s going to get completed, because it’s hurting my business,” Slaughter said. “Going forward on the next project, I ask that you please respectfully give the City of Fate and business owners input on which contractor you’re going to hire. And on your liquidated damages clause with your contractors, if they don’t meet certain thresholds and they exceed that 20 percent level, the city and business owners can tap into those liquidated damages whenever businesses are being affected.”

Louis Frisbie, a Rowlett resident and owner of Metropolitan Infrastructure at 1413 E. I-30, spoke in favor of the project.

“This project will be very beneficial to the community as a whole,” said Frisbie, who noted for the record that he’s a candidate running for Garland City Council. “I really encourage this project to move forward and be completed on time.”

To see the approved design schematic for the project, visit keepitmovingdallas.com.

TxDOT invites the public to mail or email their questions and comments regarding the project:

Mailing Address
TxDOT Dallas District Office
Attn: Mr. Jason Estridge, P.E.
4777 E. Highway 80
Mesquite, TX 75150-6643
Email: Jason.Estridge@txdot.gov

Written comments must be received or postmarked on or before Friday, Feb. 15, 2019 to be included in the official documentation of the public hearing.

Story and photos by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News.

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