Anticipating new development and increased traffic, one Texas city came up with a bold solution: a reconstructed roadway that preserves long-term sustainability while maximizing development potential.
The city of Rowlett, northeast of Dallas, is experiencing significant growth fueled by two recent transportation projects: the completion of the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT) and the launch of light rail service. The City saw an opportunity to prepare for this growth by improving Merritt Road, a two-mile corridor connecting to the PGBT in Rowlett’s last major undeveloped area.
Critical design objectives included, accommodating expected growth of traffic and activity in the planned commercial district with a “complete street” concept that accommodates pedestrians and cyclists, as well as vehicles.
The design also aimed to accomplish, addressing potential environmental concerns inherent in the roadway expansion and modeling sustainability for other local, regional and national projects.
The project team developed medians with an enhanced dry swale to capture the first flush of precipitation on the road surface. The swales capture, treat and discharge water, restricting the flow of pollutants into the water supply. Median plantings that are drought-tolerant and do not require irrigation or mowing further protect water quality.
The project design also improved intersections and increased capacity for future traffic, both of which support efficient traffic flow and reduce the idling that can compromise air quality. Merritt Road will be a critical linkage in the transportation network since the PGBT does not include frontage roads in this area.
The project team also used recycled concrete to backfill storm drain trenches and moisture-treated subgrade to reduce potential shrinking or swelling of the clay soil beneath the concrete pavement. These components reduce the long-term maintenance requirements and improve the life-cycle cost.
To keep up with expected growth, they also designed and sized sewer and drainage for present and future land use; water stub-outs for future development connections and transmission lines; and included conduit for future traffic signals and fiber optic lines. The team devised a cross-section to enable strategic placement of franchise utilities.
A collaborative approach to the environmental issues ensured engagement and buy-in from key partners, including the North Central Texas Council of Governments, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Water Development Board.
Today, Rowlett has a transportation project that incorporates replicable practices with successful results:
· Infrastructure and right-of-way to expand to six lanes from four, if needed.
· Hike and bike trails.
· More than 19,550 linear feet of water; 9,000 linear feet of sewer; 9,000 linear feet of storm sewer/culverts and related infrastructure to accommodate future development and traffic signals
· Reduced life cycle and maintenance costs.
· Attractive and efficient storm water management and channel improvements.
· Intersection improvements and bio-retention features that enhance air and water quality.
· Compliance with relevant regulatory requirements.
