US 75 north study in Dallas suburbs: plans downsized and made more expensive

Started by MaxConcrete, March 25, 2015, 07:32:43 PM

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MaxConcrete

http://www.planotx.org/City_Hall/agendas/CouncilAgendas/Lists/POMItems/Attachments/1544/US75%20Alternatives%20Plano%20Council%20Meeting%203-23.pdf

This is unfortunate, but not too surprising.

The freeway is currently 4-1H-1H-4 (H-HOV). The study originally recommended a 5-3M-3M-5 configuration (M-managed toll lanes), with all lanes at ground level.  The 5-3M-3M-5 would have necessitated substantial right-of-way clearance, and since the freeway is continuously lined with commercial establishments, hundreds of business would have been impacted.

The local cities have said they want minimal right-of-way acquisition, so now the new 4-3M-3M-4 plan drastically reduces right-of-way needs by eliminating the planned new free main lanes and sinking the managed lanes into a depressed level underneath the frontage roads. The presentation (see link) reports that managed lane revenue is expected to increase from $1.48 million to $1.78 billion due to added congestion on the free lanes.

I'm thinking the trenched double-level design will add up to $1 billion to the cost. Frankly, I'd rather see the freeway stay as-is than have this expensive monstrosity. At the very minimum, the usage of the similarly-designed toll lanes on Interstate 635, which are scheduled to open this year, needs to be evaluated.



www.DFWFreeways.com
www.HoustonFreeways.com



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