By Scott Harvey
Greenville – The Texas Department of Transportation and its Contractor, Austin Bridge and Road, are preparing to convert from two-way frontage roads to a one-way frontage road system along IH 30 in Greenville. Crews plan to make the southbound conversion July 7, and the northbound conversion July 8.
"The bottom line is the make it more safe," said Chris Mountain with the TxDot office in Greenville. "We've got an increased amount of traffic out there and that's been the push for a long time is to make our roads safer."
Mountain says the project for Greenville is overdue, noting Rockwall, Royse City and Sulphur Springs have already made the conversion.
The one-way traffic conversion is just one of a several improvements associated with the $38.8 million overpass project, which also includes rebuilding the State Highway 34/Wesley Street overpass across Interstate 30 and the construction of the new Monty Stratton overpass.
"Greenville is like Sulphur Springs and other towns in this area it's a bedroom community for the Metroplex so a lot of people like to live out here and then drive in. So you're getting a lot more people that drive and Greenville is having an increased amount of traffic," Mountain said. "The primary reason purpose is safety as a result of increased traffic volumes."
The Texas Department of Transportation plans to conduct a door-to-door campaign with all business and property owners located along the frontage roads between SH 34 Wesley Street and Division Street. The purpose of this campaign will be to inform and update employees and customers of the changes resulting from the one-way frontage road conversion. This project has the full support of the City of Greenville.
Mountain says while the project is done to increase safety measures, the change can spark some negative opinions.
"The negative feedback comes more from the business owners - a perception that less traffic will go in front of their business - and that's normal. Most places that convert to one-way frontage roads they get those same comments."
Mountain continued, "It's not less traffic that goes in front of the business it's just different traffic."
"Our [TxDot's] goal is to make everything accessible. Sometimes we change the access but we don't ever deny the access. This will be a change. But people will get used to it and adjust and businesses will flourish just like they always have."
The initial one-way conversion will be from SH 34 Wesley Street to Division Street. Currently all ramps, intersections, tie-ins, signing and signalization needed to accommodate the one-way frontage road system are in the process of being installed.
On July 7, 2010 the Contractor will begin the one-way conversion process at Division Street along the South Frontage Road. "ONE WAY" signs installed at driveways and road intersections will be uncovered. Traffic entering onto the South Frontage Road from side streets or driveways will be required to turn right only and head in the eastbound direction.
On July 8, 2010 the process will be repeated along the North Frontage Road. Work will begin at SH 34 Wesley Street with the closing of the left turn lane from SB SH 34 Wesley Street to the North Frontage Road uncovering "ONE WAY" signs in the process. The lane of the North Frontage Road that currently allows the eastbound movement will be closed to traffic. All traffic entering the North Frontage Road from side streets or driveways will be required to turn right only and head in the westbound direction.
The public is requested to exercise caution and to obey all traffic control signs and devices while traveling in this area. Any questions should be directed to Chris Mountain with the Texas Department of Transportation office in Greenville at 903-455-2363.