Photo by Musa Haef via Unsplash.
Representatives from the North Central Texas Council of Governments met with stakeholders to discuss plans for a study of Grand Avenue.
Mike Morris, the director of transportation for NCTCOG, gave meeting attendees an overview of safety concerns, thoroughfare options and desired improvements for bike and pedestrian connectivity along Grand Avenue from the Gaston-Garland-Grand intersection (which is slated to be completed this fall) to Interstate 30.
In this 2-mile stretch, the speed limit ranges from 30 mph to 40 mph.
Following a request from East Dallas resident Carol Bell Walton, Morris agreed to expand the study area north to East Lawther at Garland Road, near where a fire engine hydroplaned in late April.
Some of the safety concerns described at the June 6 meeting were previously identified at a meeting with nearby neighborhoods, park advocates, the Texas Department of Transportation and the Dallas Department of Transportation.
Safety concerns include wrong-way driving on southbound lanes near Tenison Park, crashes on Clermont Drive and insufficient lighting. During the meeting, Morris said over the past five years, crashes on Grand Avenue have resulted in three deaths and 12 suspected serious injuries.
Some drivers avoid traffic congestion nearing I-30 by using and speeding through neighborhood roads; Morris said the traffic count approaching the intersection is around 15,000 cars per day.
Stakeholders have also complained of street racing, traffic noise and traffic congestion on northbound lanes near Mount Auburn STEAM Academy during pick-up times.
There are also desired improvements for pedestrians along the roadway, including connecting the neighborhoods to parks, schools and trails, and increasing pedestrian crossings.
Morris proposed a few thoroughfare options to consider: relocating the southbound lanes closer to the northbound lanes near Tenison Park, and transforming the existing southbound lanes into a residential street, for example. Or reconfiguring the intersections at Cameron Avenue and Tenison Parkway into roundabouts.
But several more of these options, or “families,” as Morris calls them, are possible, he said.
While TxDOT owns SH-78, aka Garland Road/Grand Avenue, the state’s transportation department is allowing NCTCOG to take the reins on a study. But eventually, TxDOT will assume control of the project.
Morris said he wants to enhance schools, parks and other places along Grand Avenue, creating a “context-sensitive design.”
NCTCOG expects to hold another public meeting in the fall, around late October or early November. Morris said he wants to review the master plan for Samuell Grand, review speed limits and speed-control measures, analyze crash data for the whole corridor and watch school traffic patterns.
Questions about the study may be directed to NCTCOG’s Amanda Wilson: awilson@nctcog.org.
