MINUTES PUBLIC MEETING. Blacklands Corridor Feasibility Study

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1 MINUTES PUBLIC MEETING Blacklands Corridor Feasibility Study Meeting Date and Location The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) held an open house and public meeting Thursday, November 7, 2013, in the cafeteria of McClendon Elementary School in Nevada, Texas, and 99 people, including 14 elected officials or their representatives, attended to discuss the Blacklands Corridor Feasibility Study. 6:00 pm Open House 6:30 pm Presentation Blacklands Corridor Feasibility Study Welcome and Project Overview Michael Morris Recent Progress Analyzing Existing & Expected Conditions Chad McKeown Study Process: Alternatives and Considerations to Evaluate Matt Craig Timeline & Upcoming Milestones Matt Craig Opportunities for Involvement Amanda Wilson 7:15 pm Question and Answer/Public Comments Additional time to visit displays will follow. Notification The November edition of the Blacklands Corridor Connection newsletter was mailed October 15, 2013, to more than 600 individuals as a notice for the public meeting. The newsletter also included study updates. It was ed October 27, 2013, to more than 5,400 individuals who have requested to receive transportation updates from NCTCOG. Packets with a memo and 10 copies of the newsletter were mailed to libraries in the study corridor counties. County clerks and city secretaries in the study area also received newsletters for posting at municipal buildings. In total, the print and electronic newsletter distribution list included local, state and federal elected officials, city and county staff, transportation partners, public works directors, school district officials, community organization representatives and other interested parties. Information about the newsletter and public meeting was posted at and on the NCTCOG Transportation Department Facebook and Twitter accounts. The Blacklands Corridor open house and public meeting information was posted in the Secretary of State Texas Register Open Meetings section. A press release was sent to local media October 28, Several stories ran in local newspapers and on radio stations announcing the public meeting. Finally, copies of the newsletter were available at gas stations and restaurants throughout the study area. Open House and Public Meeting Purpose and Topics The public meeting was held in accordance with the NCTCOG Transportation Department Public Participation Process, which became effective June 1, 1994, as approved by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC), the transportation policy board for the Metropolitan 1

2 Planning Organization (MPO) and amended on March 11, Topics covered at the meeting: 1. Welcome and Project Overview Michael Morris, Director of Transportation, NCTCOG Transportation Department 2. Recent Progress Analyzing Existing and Expected Conditions Chad McKeown, Principal Transportation Planner, NCTCOG Transportation Department 3. Study Process: Alternatives and Considerations to Evaluate Matt Craig, Vice President, Halff Associates 4. Timeline and Upcoming Milestones Matt Craig, Vice President, Halff Associates 5. Opportunities for Public Involvement Amanda Wilson, Public Involvement Manager, NCTCOG Transportation Department The meeting was held to educate, inform and seek comments from the public. Comments were solicited from those present who wished to speak for the record. The public meeting comment period was open 10 days until November 17, The public meeting presentation and open house displays are available at and a video recording of the presentation is online at Each person who attended the meeting received a packet with an agenda; a sheet on which to submit written comments; a copy of the presentation; and a survey. Attendees could pick up NCTCOG Transportation Department publications if desired. Links to the publications were also posted at 1. Fact Sheet: Funding Challenges Persist Despite Growth 2. Fact Sheet: Mobility Update 3. Mobility 2035 Executive Summary 2013 Update 4. Progress North Texas: Bridging Today and Tomorrow in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area The open house included both interactive and static display areas at which staff answered questions and documented comments. Open house areas: 1. Public Involvement Survey 2. Study Information 3. Corridor Context and Planned/Funded Projects 4. Interactive Aerial Map Summary of Presentation A. Study Purpose and Goal Michael Morris, NCTCOG The process will involve the public and help determine ranges of options and traffic volume. Fifty-year-old designs are under review. This will be a comprehensive process. Multimodal options, such as passenger rail and hike/bike trails, will be studied. We understand the benefits and the impacts of this project. 2

3 Study purpose and goals o If transportation need is identified due to current and projected future congestion: Analyze a no-build scenario and utilize it as the baseline for comparison of benefits and impacts. Conduct a multimodal analysis of potential transportation solutions including various alternatives and alignments. Develop concept transportation projects and objectives. Identify potential economic, environmental and social impacts of build and nobuild options. Identify phases of early potential project implementation. Develop a transportation improvement plan for the entire corridor. Problem definition o What are the concerns in the study area? IH 30, US 380 and SH 78 What improvements can be done to these current roadways? Lake crossing Is there a solution that does not involve another lake crossing? Intermodal connections Potential bicycle/pedestrian facilities in portions of Greenville or other historic downtowns. Passenger rail could help take vehicles off the roads. Collin County Outer Loop From IH 30 to US 75 will help aid accessibility. Safety Will be addressed at the next meeting. Initial study area 3

4 Expanded study area B. Recent Progress Analyzing Existing and Expected Conditions Chad McKeown, NCTCOG Growth and development o Since the meeting in July, staff has collected technical information such as congestion, transportation issues and growth and development in the study area. Staff first looked at historical data prior to 1990 through The below maps highlight these areas. 4

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6 o This area is unique because employment is growing at a faster rate than population. Study area projected growth Population: Year 2013: 307,100 Year 2035: 497,700 Increase: 190,600 (+ 62%) Employment Year 2013: 107,200 Year 2035: 192,900 Increase: 85,700 (+ 80%) Travel conditions o Level of service (LOS) is a term used to indicate if traffic is moving at ideal, average, or poor efficiency. Level of service is measured A-F, relatively uncongested to congested. o Study area level of service Year 2013 lane miles: LOS ABC: 86% LOS DE: 7% LOS F: 7% Year 2035 lane miles: LOS ABC: 66% LOS DE: 11% LOS F: 23% o Lake crossings There are no proposed widening of bridges at this time. 6

7 Travel patterns o The below map shows where people begin and end their trips in o The below map is estimated for year 2035 Takeaways o Congestion will increase on area roads as population and employment grow. o Employment in Hunt County is expected to grow faster than population. o Significant eastbound and westbound travel in peak periods over the lakes. o Lake Ray Hubbard and Lavon Lake act as transportation barriers. 7

8 C. Study Process: Alternatives and Considerations to Evaluate Matt Craig, Halff Associates July open house feedback o Congestion and safety were areas of concern. We have again provided maps for the public to mark areas of concern. There are three different maps to better understand what is in the Blacklands Corridor. The maps show locations of schools, churches and landfills. Also provided is a map that displays natural constraints such as wetlands, wildlife preserves and native prairie areas. 8

9 Blacklands corridor conceptual strategies o All agencies involved in the study are collecting other thoroughfare plans and studies. All modes of transportation are being considered. What modes can help to provide a solution to the transportation demand? o Examples of other strategies No build Bicycle/pedestrian facilities Arterial improvements Bottleneck improvements to IH 30 TO/TSM/IT strategy (Travel Options/Transportation System Management/Intelligent Transportation Systems) o Travel options are programs which encourage people to travel at alternate times or with fewer vehicles. o Transportation system management improves efficiency and reliability using incident management, signal coordinating and ramp metering. o Intelligent transportation systems are advanced technologies such as real-time travel data and incident detection. Bicycle/pedestrian facility strategy o Regional veloweb 2013 o Collin County regional trails master plan 2011 o Hunt county bicycle and pedestrian plan 2012 Rail/transit strategy o Express bus o Extension of light rail o Commuter rail 9

10 Improvements of arterials strategy o SH 66, SH 78 and US 380 Bottleneck improvements of IH 30 strategy o This study will include ramps and interchanges Expansion of IH 30 facility strategy o This strategy is to increase capacity in general purpose lanes and study potential HOV/managed lanes. New location highway/freeway/tollway strategy o NETEX Corridor o Collin County Outer Loop o New location roadway from President George Bush Turnpike to Greenville. Strategy evaluation Takeaways o Opportunities may exist to partner with utilities in sharing corridors. o The NETEX right-of-way should be preserved for future uses (including trails or rail transit). o Most of the NETEX right of way may not be appropriate for construction of a roadway. o Initial study evaluation indicates both opportunities and constraints for new transportation facilities. 10

11 D. Timeline and Upcoming Milestones Matt Craig, Halff Associates Study schedule (DRAFT) E. Opportunities for Public Involvement Amanda Wilson, NCTCOG July 25, 2013 public meeting o Held in Lavon o 159 attended Public meeting comments o The study area should be expanded to consider more options. This has been done, and now US 380 and IH 30 are included. o Other comments were focused on toll road opposition and how a toll road would impact quality of life. The consultant is studying all options, from bottlenecks on IH 30 to bicycle/pedestrian facilities and rail. o Comments were received about making improvements to existing roadways. o No more bridges across the lakes. o Consider environmental impacts and smaller communities. July 25 public involvement survey response o Responses mainly from Collin County. o We will continue to involve the public through the most preferred avenues, like newspapers and mailing notices. New survey o Asks about growth in the region and impressions of population, growth and transportation issues. It is available tonight and online at 11

12 Upcoming opportunities o Next public meetings: January 2014 (Greenville), April/May 2014 (Garland - tentative) o Community/neighborhood presentations o Project website o Social media o Next study newsletter: December 2013 o Online and print survey questions Corridor Context Joe Holt, Citizen ORAL COMMENTS RECEIVED AT THE MEETING A. Vision for study area and transportation options Comment: I am impressed with the information from tonight, and I am glad to see the study area has been expanded. A few observations may be relevant to the major roadways in the study corridor. For example, IH 45 south to Corsicana is now three lanes and much improved. Trucks are restricted from the inside lanes and traffic moves much better. This may be relevant to IH 30. Improvements like those made to IH 69 South might be the answer to SH 66. Major improvements to US 380 are complete, and traffic gets around and through Greenville. There is limited sight distance on FM 6 between Lavon, Nevada, Josephine and Caddo Mills; therefore, it is not going to be a high-speed traffic situation. It could, however, be improved and wider. I am from Josephine, and we are concerned with aggressively pushing a four-lane divided tollway with limited access through or near communities in this area. It will take out water towers, city hall, the fire station and 25 to 30 houses. It is comforting to hear comments related to NETEX because it is hard to imagine a four-lane toll road through this area while continuing to keep rail possibilities. It is encouraging to hear that rail will be considered in the future. Thank you for being here. Matthew Hawkins, Citizen A. Vision for study area and transportation options Comment: I live in Caddo Mills in the NETEX right of way and would like to express concern about a limited access tollway and the disruption it will cause. I like the idea of using the NETEX corridor for a bicycle/pedestrian trail. I would really like to see a public transit option, such as light rail. We should be looking at ways to reduce traffic and pollution. Building a tollway will increase pollution, traffic and noise. I lived in north Dallas and commuted to downtown using DART. It was economical and nice to not fight traffic. I do not want a limited access tollway anywhere. The toll road would cause the same disruption no matter where it goes. 12

13 Barbara Harless, Citizen A. Transportation options and public-private partnerships Comment: It took me 35 minutes to get to this meeting in rush hour traffic when it would have taken me 25 minutes any other time. I do not see a problem. I am concerned that SH 78 will be turned into a toll road. IH 635 will be tolled and prevent me from getting to D/FW Airport without paying a toll. I am tired of roads I ve paid for several times being turned into toll roads. I do not want SH 78 to be a toll road. I am also concerned about public-private partnerships. There is a toll road from Austin to San Antonio, and Cintra has concessions on it. The taxpayers will be responsible for paying for it should the private company default. I do not like public-private partnerships for that reason. I want to pay for a road once and then have free access. Summary of response by Michael Morris: In our region there are two public-private partnerships, the LBJ Express and the North Tarrant Express. The developer of SH 130 to which you referred will be responsible for any toll collection shortfalls. David Reid, Citizen A. Vision for study area and transportation options Comment: I attended college in Commerce and have lived in Allen, Plano and Rockwall. I commuted to Arlington during that time. An option to improve traffic on IH 30 would be to install a barrier wall on the south side of the IH 30 bridge. This will slow down trucks. Also, onlooker traffic over the lake is a problem. SH 78 is currently under construction and will be useful. I do not want a tollway along SH 78. There is a lack of trust in public-private partnerships. US 380 and IH 30 are viable candidates to improve to get people to Greenville if there is a need. Should the public be concerned that Highway 6 and SH 78 will be turned into toll roads? Jennifer Holland, Citizen A. Developer status Question: What information is available from the developer? Have they submitted their study to you? Does NETEX own all of the property along the right of way? If a toll road is built, can a noncompete clause be used? Also, if a toll road is built, will there be plans for frontage roads? Who will pay for those? Has the developer submitted their preferred routes? In the SH 205 expansion from SH 78 to IH 30, will there be expansion from Rockwall to Lavon? The Kansas City Southern intermodal facility is planned for Wylie. It has been projected that 400 to 500 trucks will drive in and out on a daily basis. Seventy percent of those vehicles will be going to Fort Worth and southeast Dallas. Rather than add the truck traffic to SH 78 as originally planned, could SH 205 be expanded as a free road so that truck traffic and projected toll road traffic could use SH 205? Finally, keep in mind that in Caddo Mills around County Road 2714 is a sensitive area with flooding. Also, there are nine county roads, and if the toll road is built it cuts Caddo Mills off because it would block so many roads to get in and out of town. Summary of response by Michael Morris: There will not be a noncompete clause. NCTCOG may have been given some reports to date from the Texas Turnpike Commission, but NCTCOG management has purposely not provided this information to the involved staff and consultant team because they want the team to independently develop its own data and ideas with public 13

14 input and without being influenced by the TTC proposal. I personally do not think the NETEX corridor is appropriate for a controlled-access highway due to right of way width and development. I personally think the NETEX right of way may be better suited to transit or a bicycle and pedestrian trail, but we do not yet know whether those are warranted. I would like the study team to work toward finding the most appropriate place(s) for any transportation investment. Tiffany Long, Citizen A. Vision for study area, region and other transportation options Comment: According to NCTCOG population density estimates, the highest density in 2040 in the Caddo Mills to Greenville area is 501 to 1,000 people per square mile. Other areas are expected to have a density of 10,000 or more people per square mile. Based on 2040 population estimates, there will be insignificant growth in the study area compared to other areas of the region. Therefore, it would be more beneficial to invest in projects along SH 66. FM 36 might be another viable option for improvement. Additionally, earlier this year, I reviewed the Mobility 2035 map on the NCTCOG website showing the NETEX toll road. What was the process for its inclusion and then removal? Are you aware that the Blacklands Prairies encompass a vast area in the state and surrounding states? Only one percent of the land is being preserved. All the other area is being used for development. Is there a way to protect or prevent Hunt County from entering nonattainment for the ozone standard? Finally, I also read through publications and press releases from Governor Perry s office and would like to express concern that the Governor s Enterprise Fund is possibly involved in funding a manufacturing plant in the Greenville area. While it would be great for jobs, it might have a role in justifying the need for the NETEX toll road. Materials indicated the plant would be transporting a lot of materials from Greenville into other areas of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. What role does industry play in determining the transportation needs of people? I would like to know what your relationship is with the Texas Turnpike Commission. I was reading their agreement, and they want an additional 200 feet. Will the NETEX corridor be impacted if this agreement does not go through? Summary of response by Michael Morris: I am not familiar with the specific Enterprise Fund project, but we will find out more. I am familiar with plans for the Walton Development. My understanding of the Walton Development logistics hub west of Greenville is that it would have supplies brought in by rail, some manufacturing would occur on the site, and the finished products would be shipped out by rail. Therefore, there would be less direct effect on the road system. Regarding inclusion of the toll road on NCTCOG s maps, NCTCOG made an initial assessment of the TTC proposal and agreed to temporarily show it on the Mobility 2035 maps subject to confirming the project had good public support and funding. To the contrary, NCTCOG received a negative public response regarding the project; therefore, it was removed from what is now the current Mobility Plan. The Blacklands study represents NCTCOG s continued due diligence to see if the project has merit. The NETEX Board has done a great job in preserving the right-of-way to date. Depending on the outcome of the Blacklands study, NCTCOG and the State could possibly preserve the NETEX right of way for a transportation use that has consensus in the community. 14

15 Corridor Impacts to Communities Deborah Hawkins, Citizen A. Greenville businesses Comment: I am pleased with the respectful exchange of ideas. Previously, I have addressed the impacts to residents and the environment. My comments tonight address a different perspective. Businesses and residents in Greenville have expressed that they are adamantly opposed to a toll road through there. They feel that it will adversely affect their ability to conduct business and will cut Greenville, which has already proven unfriendly to businesses, in half. Businesses along Wesley Street expect to be especially impacted. Large companies may build around the corridor but will bring their own employees leaving current Greenville residents with the same financial constraints. It is important to preserve businesses especially small businesses since the owners often live in the same community. Forcing them from their businesses and homes will only create further hostility. Who has compiled information about what businesses and residents in Greenville want? Will this be revisited? Greenville should focus on being better able to serve those in the community and in surrounding communities. I live in Caddo Mills and cannot travel anywhere in less than an hour. I use US 380 to Highway 5 and then SH 121 to Lewisville. I use IH 30 and rarely encounter traffic. SH 66 is an alternate route to IH 30. East Texas is unique and worth preserving. Finding a way to progress and preserve should be the goal. Summary of response by Michael Morris: Regarding Greenville, NCTCOG staff were looking for a logical terminus on the east end of the study corridor and had set the terminus at IH 30 as a placeholder. However, it has not been determined whether that is indeed the ideal option. There may be other facilities that make more sense. Melanie Johnson, Citizen A. Impact of corridor on Josephine Question: I have lived in Josephine for 22 years, and I am a former councilmember. Why do we need to toll anything? We have plenty of roadway options. People in this area live here for a reason. If a toll road is built, it will shut Josephine off, and our infrastructure will dry up. If the toll road, however does come through, will the revenue be shared with the small towns to help keep them going? What does the proposed toll road have to do with Disney World coming to the area north of Bonham, Texas? Is there a plan to use the rail line that goes through Josephine to add transit from Garland to Greenville? Summary of response by Michael Morris: Thank you for your comments. We do not know if there is a need for a limited access toll road. The reason the Dallas-Fort Worth area has so many toll roads and toll lanes is that the public has expressed opposition to increased taxes. Regional Transportation Council members have gone to the Legislature to ask for an increase in transportation revenues so we can have options that are not tolled for the million people coming to the Dallas-Fort Worth area every decade. Our elected officials have said we have to meet these needs somehow and do not want to put it on the taxpayer. There is a transportation constitutional amendment on the ballot next November for funds to be used on non-tolled facilities. No, toll revenues would not be used to aid your communities. However, we do not want to build facilities that hurt your communities; therefore, stay involved to ensure we do not 15

16 do this. I am not aware of Disney World coming to Texas. The rail corridor described through Josephine is the NETEX corridor. It would not be a viable option for a limited access roadway, but it may be a fit for a bicycle/pedestrian trail or passenger rail in the future. Those options will be evaluated in this process. WRITTEN COMMENTS RECEIVED AT MEETING Name and Title Agency, City Represented Topics addressed Comments Jim Foy Mayor Pro Tem, City of Farmersville SH 78 widening Attachment 1 Joe Holt Citizen Bridges and alternatives Attachment 2 Matthew Hawkins Citizen Bike/pedestrian and transit Attachment 3 Deborah Hawkins Citizen Greenville businesses Attachment 4 Barbara Harless Citizen Opposition Attachment 5 David Reid Citizen IH 30 bridge and alternatives Attachment 6 Jennifer Holland Citizen Caddo Mills Attachment 7 Tiffany Long Citizen Lease agreement and public-private partnerships Attachment 8 16

17 Melanie Johnson Citizen Toll revenues and Disney World Attachment 9 Maggie S. Citizen Bike trails and passenger rail Attachment 10 Sharilin Brown Citizen Improvements to existing roads Attachment 11 Matt Robinson Walton Development and Management Support Attachment 12 Debra Caldwell Citizen Bridge across Lake Lavon from SH 78 to Parker Road Attachment 13 Nathan Bryan City of Anna City Council, Place 5 Improving roadways; building new road/tollway from PGBT to SH 66 or IH 69 Attachment 14 Mark Randle Citizen Lake crossings Attachment 15 ELECTRONICALLY SUBMITTED COMMENTS Trish Donaghey ( 11/8/2013) Dear NCTCOG Michael Morris, Amanda Wilson, Chad McKeown, and Engineer Matt Craig, GRATITUDE + PURPOSE Thank you for your excellent presentation last night and thank you for allowing eight area residents to speak. Because a portion of this study went across the south tip of the Branch peninsula by Lake Lavon, I attended to find out the latest. However, it sounds like you are on an information-gathering path to find out any consensus and also possibly to learn where the most opposition lies. Our group of ~61 landowners with ~1,000 acres by Lake Lavon do NOT want our way of life disturbed by adding ANY new bridge over the lake. Apparently, you already know this, but Chad told me after the meeting that this possibility has NOT been ruled out. 17

18 QUESTIONS (1) What is the rationale for NOT increasing Interstate 30 and Highway 380 as well as their bridges that go across both lakes? After the meeting, Chad said expanding the bridges would not happen, because the Army Corps of Engineers do not want any more build-up in those lakes due to prohibitive cost and it's possibly not good for the lakes themselves. So, I asked him, "You mean it's MORE costly to build an entire new route than to just expand what's already there?!" (2) What's the rush to plan for areas east of the lakes, when people can be stacked like in NYC, if they want to work in Dallas so much? For increased population projections, A MUCH BIGGER problem than roads to is ENOUGH WATER!!! That should be the focus BEFORE transportation! We have been in drought conditions for years with no quick end in sight. WHEN will those pipelines from Texoma ever be finished and operational?! Until people who already live here have enough WATER to wash their cars, water their plants, AND GO BOATING AGAIN, why encourage MORE people to come here? (3) Which developer is in a rush to build new roadways east of the lakes? The Dallas North Tollway went north to empty fields in Frisco, but now we know that Jerry Jones has relocated the Cowboys to Frisco. (4) How about we build roads AS WE CAN AFFORD them, and forget toll roads? This rush to build new roads is kinda like living beyond our means, which most Texans don't like! These 8 citizens made strong cases for their points of view: (1) Mr. Hold of Josephine - likes Interstate 45 with trucks allowed ONLY in the right two lanes. I've noticed trucks are a big problem on 75 especially, where they sit in ALL lanes, blocking anyone from going the speed limit! Also, Hwy. 380 has its share of SLOW cars determined to occupy both lanes, a real headache. SLOW traffic needs to keep RIGHT! (2) Matthew Hawkins of Caddo Mills - does not want a tollway. (3) Deborah Hawkins of Caddo Mills - does not want tollway cutting Greenville in half, bypassing small businesses which will bankrupt them, and cause urban blight in their place. (4) Barbara Burleson of Murphy - does not want toll roads or private-public partnerships that leave Texans holding the bag, when the private companies go belly-up, which happened to the toll road from San Antonio to Austin. (5) Mr. Reed of Commerce - is against a tollway and wants Interstate 30 and Hwy. 380 improved instead. (6) Jennifer Holland of Caddo Mills - wants to know what are the preferred routes that will begin construction in Dec She also wants Spur 205 expanded south. (7) Tiffany Long of Caddo Mills - wants to look at roads 6 and 66 as alternative options. She also wants NCTCOG to consider that of all the Blackland Prairies covering several states, only ONE PER CENT is left, so perhaps we need a preserve instead. She also spoke re: the enterprise fund and freight trains. (8) Melody Johnson of Josephine - says why consider a "toll anything? We have plenty already and we've paid many times over for the existing toll roads. We live out here for a reason. We live in these small towns, because we like it. Toll roads will dry up the small towns. Will the toll money be shared with these towns to sustain them? Is there a plan to have Disneyland-Texas north of Bonham?" Michael Morris answered that tolls will not be shared with towns and he has never heard of any Disneyland-Texas plans. Michael Morris said many times that he does not believe there will be any expansion of the NETEX corridor (RR) for a "limited access facility." He said other alternatives will be better than using NETEX and it can be put to better use. However, he did not suggest what those other alternatives would be nor how the current NETEX corridor would be put to "better use." Earlier, Michael Morris mentioned that he would be furnishing stats on numbers of cars and accidents in 18

19 the area as compared to other areas. I'm looking forward to that info. He told us the third meeting will be in Greenville sometime in Jan. and the last meeting will be in April or May in Garland. However, no recommendation for a route will be presented until Sept Thank you again for your excellent, organized, fast-moving, and concise presentation, Trish Mrs. Trish Donaghey Contact Person for ~61 landowners with ~1,000 acres in the Branch-Culleoka area in UNincorporated Collin County Trish Donaghey (11/8/2013) QUESTIONS (1) What is the rationale for NOT increasing Interstate 30 and Highway 380 as well as their bridges that go across both lakes? (2) Isn't it more cost effective and less disruptive to everyone to expand the highways already in place, including their lake bridges instead of constructing whole new routes? (3) What's the rush to plan for areas east of the lakes, when people can be stacked like in NYC, if they want to work in Dallas so much? For increased population projections, A MUCH BIGGER problem than roads to is ENOUGH WATER!!! That should be the focus BEFORE transportation! We have been in drought conditions for years with no quick end in sight. WHEN will those pipelines from Texoma ever be finished and operational?! Until people who already live here have enough WATER to wash their cars, water their plants, AND GO BOATING AGAIN, why encourage MORE people to come here? (4) Which developer is in a rush to build new roadways east of the lakes? The Dallas North Tollway went north to empty fields in Frisco, but now we know that Jerry Jones has relocated the Cowboys to Frisco. (5) How about we build roads AS WE CAN AFFORD them, and forget toll roads? This rush to build new roads is kinda like living beyond our means, which most Texans don't like! Deidre Mead (11/6/2013) Thank you for enlarging the study area. I believe that the study area should include more south of I-30, especially from Royse City to Dallas. There is a lot of growth there. Rail, rail, rail. The future of transport in this area needs to include rail (passenger and freight). The foundation for a rail line is there, why spend any time/money on a road when we could shape the future of the area with rail? It seems that the other private/public toll roads operating in Texas should be a learning tool for this project. 130 (Bastrop/Austin area) comes to mind as less than successful and it is in a much more populous region than the Blacklands Corridor. Currently, there is enough right-of-way on I-30 to add one lane in each direction by doing little more than repainting lane stripes. Widening I-30 by just one lane in each direction will increase the capacity through Greenville by 50%, just for the price of a few gallons of reflective paint and there will still be plenty of room for future expansion in the existing right-of-way. No one loses private property with this plan. If congestion in the future is a problem in Rockwall, Collin, or Dallas counties, those counties can sell out their residents to a for-profit toll road operator. The use of eminent domain for a project that includes the option for a private company to gain even one dollar of profit is wrong. TXDot needs to be allowed to manage and pay for the roads that Texas needs. The answer to the continuing budget crunch is to stop diverting funds from TXDot, not look for funds from private entities that have lots of strings attached. Let our tax dollars land where they are properly allocated to our needs, not private special interest group needs. Thanks, Deidre Mead 19

20 Brenda Short (11/6/2013) At the public meeting tomorrow night in Nevada, could you please comment on the relationship between the Walton Development and transportation needs in the Blacklands Corridor? Thank you. Public Werks held a town hall meeting on April 27, 2013 at the City of Josephine fire department. They announced that they had hired engineering firm Huitt Zollars to identify possible routes, obstacles, etc. for the Blacklands Toll Road. They had engineer Steve Woodruff there to explain some of the process. They indicated that maps would be ready by October 2013, but that NCTCOG RTC had instructed them not to reveal anything about those maps to the public. At the meeting in Nevada tomorrow November 7, 2013 would you please comment on the progress and when they will be able to show those maps to the residents? Also, why would Public Werks go to the substantial expense of paying an engineering firm for this type of work if they did not have some reasonable assurance as to the outcome of the RTC's feasibility study? I hope you can address these concerns at tomorrow's public meeting. Thank you Harrison Nordby (11/5/2013) No more bridges across our beautiful lakes! James Turner (11/5/2013) The last elected official who tried to push an unwanted bridge across Lake Lavon is now an EXelected official. We don't want your trucking hub either. Keep it country on the East side of the lake and city on the West. Kay Nordby (11/5/2013) Road improvements are needed from Greenville to George Bush. Turn lanes, underpasses, overpasses, express lanes, etc would seem to be the best way to improve the traffic flow without causing issues to surrounding areas. Most importantly, crossing any portion of the lake with any new bridge path is the most expensive option. Please, do not include a bridge route as a recommendation. Regarding the need for a roadway from Greenville eventually connecting to George Bush Turnpike. Improvements are needed to SH78 even beyond the current plans. Minimal impact to neighboring properties should be priority #1. Taking any land by eminent domain should never be allowed if the roadway is going to be a Private Toll Road. Under and overpasses along with intersection turn lane improvements would seem to be the best use of public funds and yield the biggest bang for the buck. Sincerely, Kay Nordby Todd Norby (11/5/2013) I see the area of consideration includes parts of the peninsula of Lavon Lake. This is not a viable area to include. Any proposals should only include improvements along 78 and not building an unjustified and costly bridge across the lake in the areas you included in your study. Thanks Todd James Wilsford (10/23/2013) I swear you guys will not stop until you put a freaking 6 lane monster bridge across our lake even though there's already 10 built across in various areas. Last time you were trying to put it across our land now you want to put it straight through the middle of the lake. Are y'all trying to screw up the lake all together? Stay off the lake and stop trying to take our land. Alan Scholz (10/16/2013) I am hopeful that this project will be halted as it threatens the quiet enjoyment of my home and will likely result in a devaluation of the home values in my neighborhood. 20

21 Mark Wright (10/15/2013) To the elected Texas officials. It is obvious that the people of Texas DO NOT WANT THIS. At a time when only Texas elected officials in the house and senate are actually representing us when the Federal Government under Barack Obama and the Democrats are attacking our freedom... why would our Texas State officials try and cram a huge Terrorist toll road down our throats. We will remember who votes for this and who does not. We will remember who stand for We the People of Texas and who stands with the Mexican government and the liberals in Washington. Stop it. Madhu (9/21/2013) I like the new toll road, because we need to go from Dallas to Greenville. Tim Foster (9/9/2013) RE: Blacklands Corridor Feasibility Study Run the toll road from Greenville west toward Wylie. Plan the toll road north of Caddo Mills, Royce City, Fate, and Rockwall. Plan the road south of Josephine, Nevada, and Lavon. Run the road over Lake Ray Hibbard to tie into Highway 190, the George Bush Tollway. This route would leave Highway 78 untouched. Sincerely, Tim Foster 21

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