12-11-10-Resolution-Requesting Improvement to Interstate 35 Ease be Fully Funded-12/06/2010RESOLUTION #R 12-11-10
REQUESTING IMPROVEMENTS TO INTERSTATE 35 EAST AS
DESIGNED BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
TO BE FULLY FUNDED AND IMPLEMENTED FOR THE FULL
PROJECT LENGTH FROM INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 635 IN DALLAS
COUNTY TO U.S. HIGHWAY 380 IN DENTON COUNTY
WHEREAS, the interstate highway system in Texas has a positive economic impact and
Interstate Highway 35 in particular has become one of the nation's most important interstate routes due to
international trade and commerce; and
WHEREAS, traffic volume has increased geometrically as cities along Interstate 35 grew and
became economic centers of national importance; and
WHEREAS, Interstate Highway 35 East (I-35E) has been designated as an international trade
route for commerce known as the NAFTA Superhighway; and
WHEREAS, Interstate 35 was an original Interstate Highway and approved by the Texas State
Highway Commission in 1962 that was 492 miles in length; and
WHEREAS, Interstate 35 has been designated by the United States Congress as a National High
Priority Corridor — Corridor 23; and
WHEREAS, the segment of I-35E from Interstate Highway 635 in Dallas to U.S. Highway 380
in Denton is approximately 28 miles in length with average daily vehicle count of between 175,000 and
200,000 vehicles per day; and
WHEREAS, the 2030 traffic projections show traffic will exceed 330,000 vehicles per day in the
most congested areas of I-35E; and
WHEREAS, the use of managed toll lanes on I-35E has already been authorized by the Federal
Highway Administration ("FHWA") through approval of an Express Lane Demonstration Program
entered into between TXDOT and FHWA on September 30, 2009; and
WHEREAS, the current Design Schematics and Interstate Access Justification for I-35E were
approved by FHWA on October 28, 2009; and
WHEREAS, the current design plans for I-35E provides for the construction of four general
purpose lanes and three access road lanes in each direction, which combined a total of fourteen (14) lanes,
for which no toll will be assessed; and
WHEREAS, the capacity for the I-35E general purpose lanes and access lanes will be enhanced
with the inclusion of two managed toll lanes in each direction where the managed lanes are a critical
component to obtain financing necessary to complete development of the project; and
WHEREAS, there has been significant public involvement during the development of the I-35E
design process, including multiple public meetings and forums; and
WHEREAS, TXDOT has over the past ten years worked closely with local elected officials,
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stakeholders, and communities of interest along I-3 5 on the planned improvements; and
WHEREAS, the total cost of the project which is divided into three segments covering 28 miles,
is projected to be $4.4 billion; and
WHEREAS, Denton County has pledged its Regional Toll Revenue in the amount of $535
million, in addition to voter approved County Road Bond funds in the amount of $55 million, to help
I the completion of the entire I-35E project; and
WHEREAS, local officials understand the need for and support the inclusion of managed lanes
in the congested I-35E corridor; and
WHEREAS, the completion of I-35E with the "pay as you go" appropriation method utilizing
motor fuel tax revenue could delay implementation of the project for an additional 20-30 years; and
WHEREAS, staged construction of I-35E, utilizing innovative financing mechanisms, including
Public Private Partnerships remains the only viable alternative to complete the construction of I-35E
within a time horizon of 5-7 years; and
WIIEREAS, I-35E public hearings are scheduled for the Fall of 2010 with environmental
clearance and the issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact expected in the first quarter of 2011.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF SAlvIGER,
TEXAS:
Section 1. The City of Sanger supports the .proposed TXDOT schematic and design of Interstate
Highway 35 East from Interstate Highway 635 to U.S. State Highway 380, which incorporates managed
tA lanes.
Section 2, The City of Sanger supports the authorization of innovative funding concepts, public private
partnerships and other funding alternatives which can be implemented by reauthorizing TXDOT to enter
into contracts with private sector partners to complete I-35E, as designed, in 5-7 years.
Section 3. The City of Sanger joins with the other political subdivisions adjacent to and along the I-35E
corridor to request and support the stattrtory authority for TXDOT to enter into public private
partnerships, as previously authorized by statute, for the purpose of seeking competitive proposals and
awarding the construction of the designed improvements for I-3 5E.
Section 4. The City of Sanger supports the expedited consideration of reauthorization for TXDOT to
enter into public private partnerships with an effective date in the first quarter of calendar year 2011 to
facilitate an early 6issuance of requests for proposals to accelerate the initiation of the needed
improvements for I-3 5E.
''4114 !?irIp/d/,
Adopted this 'day of December, s2#I _ Il r1
Tami Taber, City Secretary 0 r; Thdmas
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Mayor
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