Public hearing scheduled for I-20 improvement project in Dallas and Kaufman Counties, Nov. 21

Public hearing scheduled for I-20 improvement project in Dallas and Kaufman Counties, Nov. 21

DALLAS AND KAUFMAN COUNTIES – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), as the lead agency, is proposing improvements to Interstate 20 (I-20) from Lawson Road in Dallas County to east of County Road (CR) 138 (Wilson Road) in Kaufman County.  The purpose of the hearing is to present the planned improvements and to receive public comments.

DALLAS AND KAUFMAN COUNTIES – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), as the lead agency, is proposing improvements to Interstate 20 (I-20) from Lawson Road in Dallas County to east of County Road (CR) 138 (Wilson Road) in Kaufman County.  The purpose of the hearing is to present the planned improvements and to receive public comments.

The hearing will be held on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 in the Forney High School cafeteria, 1800 College Avenue, Forney, Texas 75126. Displays will be available for viewing at 6 p.m. with the formal hearing starting at 7 p.m.

Within the 20.39 mile project limits, the existing I-20 is a divided, four- to six-lane highway. There are no frontage roads, bike lanes, or sidewalks within most of the project limits, as the existing frontage road ends just east of Lawson Road. The proposed project would include constructing continuous one-way frontage roads in each direction, reconfiguring the ramps from a “diamond” configuration to an “X” configuration at each interchange, and adding auxiliary lanes on the mainlanes. The proposed frontage roads would consist of a 12-foot wide inside lane, a 14-foot wide shared outside lane, a four-foot wide inside shoulder and a two-foot wide outside shoulder. A minimum five-foot wide sidewalk would be included along the eastbound and westbound frontage roads behind the back of the curb. Proposed auxiliary lanes on the mainlanes would be 12-feet wide. The proposed project would also include the reconstruction of the mainlanes to accommodate cross street improvements, and the construction, relocation or modification of 43 ramps. The project proposes to replace, remove, or widen/extend 36 bridges and bridge class culverts.

The existing right-of-way (ROW) is 350 to 550 feet wide. The proposed ROW would be 370 to 565 feet wide. The proposed project would require approximately 85.9 acres of additional ROW and approximately 3.8 acres of permanent easement (drainage easement). The additional ROW required for the project displaces four single-family residences, one commercial property, and a community meeting center for the Heartland subdivision. Information about the TxDOT Relocation Assistance Program, benefits and services, as well as information about the tentative schedule for ROW acquisition and construction will be available at the public hearing.

The proposed project is anticipated to be let for construction in 2027.  The total estimated cost for the ultimate project is approximately $570 million.