Beautiful Lavon Lake, Collin County, Texas
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake

Bridge History - Progression of Citizen Concern
 

At first, citizens did not pay much attention to the routes on the Collin County mobility plan.  They were just lines. 

In 2002, there were multiple dotted lines drawn across Lavon Lake in the CC Mobility Plan.  There was not too much worry because there was no specific line, just a bunch of dotted lines.  This map was part of the 2006 Mobility Plan Update.

In August 2006, the CC Mobility Plan was updated to a single path.  Mr. Delgado told us that they drew this route across the map without the benefit of detailed engineering  Because they felt it was the best location.

When citizens became aware of this single path, they were not thrilled with the idea but it made very little logical sense.  It was not taken too seriously because:

It crosses the lake in DEEP water. 

It requires two LONG bridges. 

It failed to meet Corp of Engineering criteria. 

Citizens who called Collin County Engineering were told that there is no plan to take any action on this route.  There is no money.  This is just a line.

Our citizen surveys reveal that only 5% of the people knew there was $500,000 earmarked for a bridge study included in the 2007 bond package.  Of the few who knew bridge money was in the bond package, most thought it was for the replacement of the old bridges.  Citizens totally missed this step in the Lavon Lake Bridge Study process. 

Here is  the media published prior to 2007 Bond Package:

Brochure 1 – no mention

Brochure 2 – 5 word mention - no specific details

Info sheet - no specific details

2007 Bond Program, Transportation  Publication , one line mention on page 31 and 43 with no specific details.

 This study represents a project that could ultimately cost the tax payers hundreds of millions.  It deserved more attention and explanation. 

Conflicting information was presented in the 2007 bond proposal documentation.  The chart on page 43 indicates that the bridge route was to be 2 lanes, while the maps in this same document propose 6 lanes.  Citizens were not given clear and accurate information about this route and what the study was going to be

Citizens became alarmed when the Commissioners voted to spend the bond money on the bridge study and move forward:

February 23, 2009, The Collin County Commissioner’s meeting included a heated debate over how much to pay HNTB to do a bridge location study across Lavon Lake.  The debate was written up in the news.  This is the first many of us knew of Collin County’s route study. 

When Collin County awarded HNTB the contract for $366,000 taxpayer dollars, this changed everything.  The bridge idea went from “just a line” into a plan that was progressing in a VERY real way.  

September 14, 2009, HNTB presented the proposed routes to the Collin County Commissioners.  The Commissioners began talk of toll bridges.  Not only did it seem Collin County had a WILL to build these bridges, but they were also suggesting a WAY to make it happen. 

October 7, 2009, Public Meeting: Collin County Engineering published a time line with a projected BRIDGE COMPLETION date of 2018 - 2024.  This publication gives details of a bridge, NOT just a line.  At the May 19, 2010 Public Meeting, HNTB presented the red route as the optimum route. 

As part of the study, Collin County met with various towns and developers:

We found "project coordination meeting" with Hunt Properties.  Hunt land investors were being given the same privilege and regard as cities in the lake area.

October 7, 2009, Collin County and HNTB presented map evidence that actually defends our NO BRIDGE views:

Below are the maps HNTB and Collin County presented as argument of the bridge project's “Need and Purpose.” 

Mitzi Ward is a key member of the NCTCOG team who created these maps.  On October 7, 2009, this is the statement Ms. Ward sent to us:  

“The Lavon Lake Bridge is not included in the Mobility 2030 – 2009 Amendment long-range transportation plan.  Therefore, it was not considered in this congestion analysis.  The Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) is fiscally constrained to anticipated revenue sources.  This road may be in the Collin County Thoroughfare plan but the MTP does not recognize the improvement until a funding source can be identified.”

 These maps show there is NO NEED for new Lavon Lake bridges.

The 2009 Congestion Level map shows current levels of traffic congestion, light to moderate around the lake.  

The 2030 Congestion Level (No Build) map shows what the area would look like if all transportation plans were stopped and no more money was ever spent on road projects.  This scenario would never happen; people would move away before traffic becomes this bad.  Also, this map has nothing to do with the build or no build of the Lavon Lake bridges. 

The 2030 Congestion Level (Build) map shows traffic congestion that is light to moderate around the lake.  This map shows what the traffic would look like around the lake if Collin County DOES NOT BUILD any new bridges over Lavon.  It shows that if they stay on task and complete the other planned roadways, like the improvements to Hwy 78 and Hwy 380, the traffic does not worsen in the lake area.

Prior to the October 11, 2010 Public Hearing:

Collin County officials have said that bridge is never going to happen in our lifetime, and the agendas at the public meetings predict a delivery date IF funding is available.  County officials say no funding is available. 

The agendas also say that the route, if adopted, is subject to revision.

The $366,000 dollars spent on the study gave citizens Public Meetings to speak out against the route.  The study also told us that the route stands for a project that would cost $400 to $470 million in today's dollars. 

This proposed route gives us more uncertainty that continues to put the lake area in limbo as far as development. 

Dropping all new bridge routes and shifting focus to land routes that CAN be accomplished in our lifetime, will remove this uncertainty. 

October 11, 2010 Public Hearing

The Commissioner's Court voted against the route and motioned to remove the route from the mobility plan. 

COLLIN COUNTY DID NOT MAKE ITS CASE FOR THIS ROUTE. 

SINCE NO BRIDGE IS LIKELY TO BE BUILT ALONG THIS ROUTE, DUE TO THE EXTREME COSTS AND NOT MEETING CORPS OF ENGINEERING CRITERIA,  THIS ROUTE WAS NOT WARRANTED.     

For less than the cost of this expensive bridge, upgrades to current plans for SH 78 and Hwy 380 could be delivered.  This would solve the lake area's congestion where it is projected to be the worst.  Upgrades to Hwy 380 and SH 78 meet Corps criteria and can be built.

 

 

 Please submit comments and information to:SaveLakeLavon@gmail.com