Recent discussions with TXDOT

Friends,

Discussions with TXDOT Friday, 3 April:

1.  Thomas Arnold Bridge is nearing completion.  The safety rails for the bridge will be installed; the top cap over the locking panels will be placed, and grass will be planted.

2.  Thomas Arnold on the west side will be paved to the West Village Road.  We have asked for Thomas Arnold on the east side from the ending of the bridge to Main Street (First State Bank) to be paved also.  TXDOT is giving that careful consideration. If they do, it will save the Village $96,000 since this was one of the streets that was going to be repaired and paved this month.  That money will go toward repairing another street this year instead of next year.

3.  TXDOT is strongly considering curb and guttering (this also means sidewalks) down main street.  They are working through the drainage concern.  If TXDOT decides to do curb and guttering, it will be done when Main Street is paved which is the last project of the construction.  Hopefully, we can get the sewer lines in place before the paving of Main Street.  That is the goal.  Neither curb and guttering nor the paving of Main Street will cost the Village.  Laying the sewer line will cost the village.

4.  TXDOT is working to complete Construction between 1 and 31 December 2015.  This will mean I-35 open and all exits and bridges completed.  There will probably be some clean-up to do, but the major construction will be over.  As you know, it was announced at the last town hall that construction will continue until August 2016.

5.   Recently, top Senior Leaders of James Construction and PSC were in the County talking to TXDOT.  According to TXDOT, Salado was one of the major items in the discussion.  The visiting Senior Leaders were not aware of the Salado construction problems.  The Village BOA will be given the names and addresses of the City Leaders.  A letter of appreciation will be sent to each Senior Leader for their visit and concern as well as a plea to complete the construction this year.

6.  There will be more closings of I-35 as they work on the Salado Bridges. The times for the closings will usually be from 7 P.M. to 7 A.M.  At the southern and northern Salado exits, signs will be placed stating no semi- trucks down Main Street during the above period of time (Brookshires grocery trucks will be the exception.)  It is a safety hazard to our people walking or driving and if some vehicle hits the Salado Creek Bridge; it will be a disaster that will be difficult to overcome.  Last week at 9:30 P.M., when I-35 closed, over 50 semi-trucks came down Main Street in 30 minutes followed by cars off the highway exceeding the speed limit. The order was given to block main street and direct the vehicles to the north-bound frontage road.  If the future, if this happens, again, the Chief of Police has been instructed to write tickets to cars speeding down Main Street.  Our laws will be observed.  We will also request a State Trooper since this is a State Highway.

Blocking Main Street is very difficult because it is a State Highway and Salado has no jurisdiction over it.  TXDOT has to give Salado permission to block it.  This is one of the reasons the Aldermen/Lady have considered taking over Main Street.

7.  I-35 Closures will appear on the Village's Web Pages as well as this Blog.  TXDOT is now sending this information directly to the Village Office.

8.  The truck that hit the bridge was approximately 9-12 inches too tall and the driver did not have a permit nor did he notice the 4 signs indicating the height of the bridge, according to the Highway Law Enforcement.

9.  TXDOT will see that the pot holes in the entrances to Salado Plaza and Black Smith (the road between Wells Art Studio and Salado Pizza) from Main Street be covered with asphalt.

10.  It is obvious that TXDOT is very interested in completing the construction of the Salado portion of I-35.  They are very open to suggestions and doing all they can to make life better for us.  Communication with TXDOT is critical and will remain open throughout the months ahead.  YOU WILL BE KEPT INFORMED ON A REGULAR BASIS.

VR/Skip