14 - FM 1497 & LOOP 286Item No. 14
memorandum
TO: City Council
John Godwin, City Manager
FROM: Randy Tuttle, Assistant Chief of Police
SUBJECT: FM 1497 & Loop 286
DATE: May 06, 2015
BACKGROUND: The City of Paris Traffic Commission was forwarded a plan by TXDOT to
close the crossover at FM 1497 & Loop 286.
STATUS OF ISSUE: The Traffic Commission has previously considered this crossover for
closure due to the numerous accidents and fatalities. TXDOT was requested to consider options
for traffic flow if the crossover were closed. TXDOT presented preliminary plans which were
considered by the Traffic Commission at its May 05, 2015 meeting. TXDOT presented three
options which were:
1. Construct a road for two way traffic south of the Loop from FM 1497 west to Church St.
intersecting at the access road.
2. Extend the four lanes of traffic on Loop 286 east approximately 1000' and install two
turnaround lanes, one for east and one for west bound traffic. This would also close intersection
of 6t" SE & Loop 286
3. Consider doing both as presented in #1 and #2.
The Traffic Commission reviewed all options and voted 7 -0 to request that council consider
option #2 — extend the four lanes of traffic on Loop 286 east approximately 1000' and install two
turnaround lanes, one for east and one for west bound traffic which would also close the
intersection of 6th SE & Loop 286.
BUDGET: This is a TXDOT funded project and there should be no impact on budget
RECOMMENDATION: Approve a resolution requesting TXDOT proceeds with
recommended change.
Draft
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
TEXAS, APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PLAN TO CLOSE THE AT
GRADE CROSSING AT FM 1497 AND LOOP 286 AND EXTEND THE
FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC ON LOOP 286 FROM THE FM 1497
INTERSECTION EAST APPROXIMATELY 1000 FEET AND INSTALL
TWO TURNAROUND LANES, ONE FOR EAST AND ONE FOR WEST
BOUND TRAFFIC AND CLOSING THE INTERSECTION OF 6TH SE
AND LOOP 286 DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS AND
INJURY /FATALITY ACCIDENTS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the at grade intersection of FM 1497 and Loop 286 has been the site
of numerous vehicular accidents and fatalities over the years; and
WHEREAS, the Paris Traffic Commission has requested TXDOT to study the dangerous
intersection and propose options for redirecting traffic flow if the at grade crossing was closed;
and
WHEREAS, at the May 5, 2015 Traffic Commission meeting, TXDOT presented
preliminary plans for closing the at grade crossing at FM 1497 and Loop 286 and create some
new turnaround lanes; and
WHEREAS, the Traffic Commission reviewed all options and voted 7 -0 to recommend
to City Council to adopt TXDOT'S plan to close the at grade crossing at FM 1497 and Loop 286
and extending four lanes of traffic on Loop 286 east approximately 1000 feet from the FM 1497
intersection and install two turnaround lanes, one for east and one for west bound traffic which
would also close the intersection of 6t' SE & Loop 286.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all
things approved.
Section 2. That the TXDOT preliminary plans for closing the at grade crossing at FM
1497 and Loop 286 and extending four lanes of traffic on Loop 286 approximately 1000 feet
from the FM 1497 and Loop 286 intersection and two turnaround lanes, one for east and one for
west bound traffic which would also close the intersection of 6a' SE and Loop 286, be approved.
Section 3. That this resolution shall be effective from and after its date of passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 8th day of June, 2015.
A.J. Hashmi, M.D., Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
W. Kent McIlyar, City Attorney