Title
Resolution - Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the City to Assume Operation and Maintenance of Existing Traffic Signals at Access Controlled Locations (Freeway Service Roads)
Requested Action
Approval of the resolution.
Recommendation
Approval or the Resolution Authorizing the Execution of the Traffic Signal Operation and Maintenance Agreement with TxDOT.
Description/History
The State under the provisions of Title 43, Section 25.5 of the Texas Administrative Code has the authority to install, operate and maintain traffic signals on State roadways in cities less than 50,000 population. With the 2010 census, the City of Mansfield surpassed 50,000 in population. The City, on December 14, 2011, assumed operation and maintenance of State traffic signals on non-controlled state roadways (i.e. FM 157, FM 1187, Bus US 287). The signals on the Freeway Service Roads (SH 360, US 287) remained under control of TxDOT.
The ability of the City to operate and maintain the traffic signals and flashers on non-highway state roadways provided the citizens with a more timely response to problems and allowed staff, without TxDOT bureaucracy, the ability to retime the traffic signals to improve traffic flow along the corridors. To help improve traffic flow and response along the freeway service roads staff has requested from TxDOT the ability to assume the operations and maintenance of the signals at US 287/FM 157, US 287/Debbie Lane, US 287/Walnut Creek Drive and SH 360/Holland Road.
Justification
The City and State intend to enter into an agreement for the City to assume operation and maintenance of the existing State traffic signals at Freeway locations. The ability of the City to operate and maintain the traffic signals will provide the citizens with a more timely response to problems and the ability to retime the traffic signals to improve traffic flow along the corridors.
As part of agreement the State will be responsible for the electrical costs for these signals and will reimburse the City up to $20,7621.92 per year for maintenance and operation cost of these signals. The city attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement.
Staff has inspected the existing TxDOT traffic signals and all have been repaired to good working order.
The City Engineer will be in attendance at the meeting to answer Council's questions regarding this item.
Funding Source
General Fund
Prepared By
David Boski, P.E., Transportation Engineer, Public Works Department
817-276-4208