Last updated on August 22, 2019
From Texas Department of Transportation:
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is proposing improvements to John King Boulevard from the junction of SH 205/John King Boulevard (South Goliad Street) to north of John King Boulevard (Collin County Line) in Rockwall County, Texas. As a result, John King Boulevard would be re-designated as SH 205 and incorporated into the state highway system. No improvements to existing SH 205 within these limits are proposed. This notice advises the public that TxDOT will be conducting a public hearing on the proposed project. The hearing will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at Liberty Hall in the Rockwall County Courthouse, 1111 East Yellow Jacket Lane, Rockwall, Texas 75087. Displays will be available for viewing at 6:00 p.m. with the formal hearing starting at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to present the planned improvements and to receive public comment on the proposed project.
The existing John King Boulevard facility is a divided, four-lane urban roadway within a typical 110 to 120-foot wide right-of-way (ROW). There are two 12-foot wide travel lanes in each direction with dedicated left turn lanes at the majority of the median breaks. The typical median width varies between 41 and 46 feet. Discontinuous sidewalks currently exist along portions of the corridor on the both sides of the roadway.
The proposed project would widen John King Boulevard to an ultimate six-lane, divided, urban highway that would be designated as SH 205 from the junction of SH 205/John King Boulevard (South Goliad Street) to north of John King Boulevard (Collin County Line) in the city of Rockwall, Texas. The total length of the proposed project is approximately 7.6 miles within a proposed ROW width that varies between 110 to 1,000 feet. Construction of the proposed improvements would involve interim and ultimate phases. Interim improvements would include reconstruction of the existing John King Boulevard connections to SH 205,signalized intersections, construction of a grade separated railroad crossing between Justin Road and Airport Road, and the extension of left turn lanes at median openings. In addition, continuous sidewalks would be constructed along the corridor and would be 5 feet wide on the east side of the roadway and 8 feet wide on the west side. The ultimate construction phase would include inside widening and restriping to provide a 14-foot wide outside shared-use lane and two 11-foot wide travel lanes in each direction. The typical median width would be reduced to approximately 18 feet and dedicated left turn lanes would be maintained at the median breaks. Other construction activities would include drainage improvements and utility relocations.
Although additional ROW is required, no residential or non-residential structures would be displaced. Information concerning services and benefits available to affected property owners and information about the tentative schedule for ROW acquisition may be obtained from the district office at the address listed below.
Portions of the proposed project area and construction work would occur in the Federal Emergency Management Agency designated 100-year floodplains of Thompson Branch, Squabble Creek, Buffalo Creek and Little Buffalo Creek. The hydraulic design for this project would be in accordance with current Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and TxDOT design policies. Approximately 0.08 acre of streams and 0.35 acre of wetlands associated with Waters of the United States would be permanently filled and authorized under a United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404 Nationwide Permit 14 with pre-construction notification to the USACE.
Any environmental documentation or studies, maps showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules, and other information regarding the project are on file and available for inspection Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the TxDOT Dallas District Office located at 4777 East Highway 80, Mesquite, Texas 75150 and are available online at www.keepitmovingdallas.com under Upcoming Public Hearings/Meetings. This information also will be available for inspection at the hearing. Additionally, responses to comments received will similarly be on file and available for inspection once they have been prepared.
Verbal and written comments from the public regarding the project are requested and may be presented at the hearing, or submitted in person or by mail to the TxDOT Dallas District Office, Attention Mr. Stephen Endres, P.E., 4777 East Highway 80, Mesquite, Texas 75150. Comments must be received on or before Friday, October 4, 2019 to be part of the official hearing record.
The hearing will be conducted in English. Persons interested in attending the hearing who have special communication or accommodation needs, such the need for an interpreter, are encouraged to contact the TxDOT Dallas District Public Information Office at (214) 320-4480. Requests should be made at least two days prior to the hearing. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate these needs.
If you have any general questions or concerns regarding the proposed project or the hearing, please contact TxDOT Project Manager, Mr. Stephen Endres, P.E. at (214) 320-4469 or by email at Stephen.Endres@txdot.gov.
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 16, 2014, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
You can find more information about the hearing and the project here.
