PLANO (WBAP/KLIF) – The City of Plano is implementing projects to alleviate congestion and identify long term solutions.
During a press conference Thursday city leaders said they are partnering with surrounding communities and transportation agencies such as Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on roadway projects that will impact not just Plano, but all of North Texas.
Several road projects are already nearing completion. Headquarters Drive has been realigned and has now reopened across from the Dallas North Tollway. The city is also in the midst of several intersection and turn lane improvement projects in the Legacy area.
A traffic signalization project impacting all of Plano’s 228 traffic lights will also be completed this summer. The city says the effort, which began in fall 2016, required close coordination with the cities of Allen, Carrollton, Dallas, Frisco, Murphy, Richardson, and The Colony to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
“The traffic signaling project has been a time-intensive initiative affecting Plano residents and people in all of our surrounding counties, and we’re glad it’s starting to pay off with reduced traffic congestion on our city streets,” said Peter Braster, Director of Special Projects for the City of Plano. “Involving so many communities in this type of project is unique in North Texas and in the United States. It’s been a complex process requiring a great deal of preparation and coordination, including data collection, development of real-world models and model simulations to determine the most effective timing.”
City leaders say Plano’s traffic congestion will not entirely be solved with infrastructure additions or enhancements. Residents and business will be asked to play a role by adopting new driving habits. In order to further reduce traffic during peak hours, Plano is partnering with the North Central Texas Council of Governments to establish a Traffic Management Association. The nonprofit group will be composed of Legacy area employers, developers and business owners, representatives from Plano, NCTOG and Collin County, and regional transportation agencies. They will work with employers to support strategies intended to reduce the number of single occupancy driver tips, such as telecommuting, flexible hours, a midday shuttle service in the Legacy area and incentives for carpooling, ridesharing or using public transit options.
“The Traffic Management Association is a great way for us to help educate the community about some things they can do to reduce the amount of traffic on our roadways,” said Braster. “Since the TMA will include local business representatives, it can identify and support strategies that are best fir for our community.”
The TMA will also research emerging technology tools, work with members on policies to help recruit younger talent who are looking for a broader range of mobility options, and will support innovative services such as micro-shuttles, car-sharing and bike-sharing options.
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