Roadway construction primary topic of discussion at Frisco town hall meeting

Roadway construction was the focal point of the city of Frisco's first town hall meeting of 2013, with most residents asking questions about the closure and expansion of roads in the city.

As a rapidly growing city, Frisco is constantly expanding roads to meet the needs of increasing traffic flow. This led to several questions regarding road closures impacting daily commutes.

Stonebrook Parkway's current expansion project was of particular concern from residents who called in -- the town hall meeting was available both in-person or via phone -- with concern about the project's timeline.

Paul Knippel, the city's director of engineering, said it will be more than a year before the Stonebrook expansion is complete.

"By Frisco High School, Stonebrook is torn up between the Dallas North Tollway all the way back to Preston [because] there's a large-diameter waterline that's being laid," he said. "We're projecting for that project to be complete by fall 2014 -- there's a lot of work still to be done on that. However, we're breaking that into phases so there are certain pieces done to [ease] traffic."

In response to a question about Main Street construction between Preston and Custer, Knippel noted that was a Texas Department of Transportation project with a roadway extension that should begin in April. The conditions of Main Street "will get worse before they get better," he said.

The city's three proposed roundabouts on Ohio Drive were also a point of concerns at the meeting, with multiple questions asking why roundabouts were being proposed instead of four-way traffic signals.

Several residents questioned their validity as major intersections given the lack of familiarity people would like have with them. Mayor Maher Maso said roundabouts are actually safer than traffic signals and that visiting Carmel, Ind., which has 60 roundabouts (more than any other U.S. city), made him a believer.

Currently, three roundabouts at Ohio Drive intersections -- at Gaylord Parkway, Preston Parkway and Warren Parkway -- are being considered, although the roundabout at Warren will likely be created before the other two. If that intersection is successful, the other two may be created.

The city has scheduled a public input meeting regarding the roundabouts for 5-9 p.m. March 21 at Clark Middle School, 4600 Colby Drive.

"The use of a roundabout requires that the approach driver yields to the traffic of the roundabout," Knippel said, noting many people confuse roundabouts with traffic circles that require motorists to stop instead of yield. "There are several advantages roundabouts have to traffic signals, and [city] staff will be on hand to answer any questions at that meeting."

A non-roadway topic that was addressed was what the city's done to help combat West Nile virus, which is often an issue during summer months.

On that subject, John Lettelleir, the city's director of development services, said the city has been working on a new response plan after meeting with health officials and representatives from other cities. That plan is scheduled to be presented to the Frisco City Council on March 19.

Maso added that combating West Nile virus is something residents need to be vigilant about themselves as well.

"With West Nile virus, it's not going away," he said. "It's important for everyone to take care of standing water -- I encourage our residents to stay up to date. We have to do this together."

Though most questions were answered during the meeting, city staff also spent about 30 minutes answering residents' questions prior to the town meeting as well as after it wrapped.

Maso and the majority of the City Council answered residents' more specific questions, such as how zoning works and what new buildings are coming in at certain intersections.

"Never give up on having [your opinions heard]," Council Member Bob Allen told one resident. "We want to hear all your input."

For more information about the expansion of Stonebrook Parkway, visit www.friscotexas.gov/stonebrook.

Quick answers

Several questions at the town hall meeting Monday were met with quick answers because the city either isn't far enough along in certain projects or has no immediate plans for requests made. Some of those responses are as follows:

• On the potential of a Frisco Public Library expansion: Maso said there are currently no immediate plans in place, but that the city has a plan for the future.
• On syncing traffic lights: Knippel said the city monitors traffic flow to determine how to sync traffic lights. He said the city would take another look at the signal timing at the intersection of Hickory and Preston.
• On adding speed bumps around the city: Knippel said the city has no plans to add any speed bumps, although private property owners are free to add them if they wish. He added that speed bumps have seen mixed success in other cities.
• On expanding Lebanon between Independence and Coit: While Knippel said there are no current plans for expansion, that could change with a bond package or when more development takes place.
• On Grand Park's progress: Rick Wieland, the city's director of parks and recreation, said permit requests were submitted to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in December. Once permits are accepted, construction of the 18-to-24-month project will start as soon as possible, he said.

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