Thursday, March 28, 2024

FM 1938 Construction Progress Report

The FM 1938 Phase II project has seen some significant progress over the last several months, reaching some important milestones in the process.

For commuters traveling east and west bound along Southlake Boulevard (FM 1709), the work at the intersection at FM 1938 has become an all too familiar, if frustrating sight -slow traffic during morning and evening rush hours, long lines of cars waiting to turn in all directions at the intersection and traffic signals that don’t seem to be able move all the cars in a speedy manner.

As the frustration grows, so do the criticisms of the project. From the comments the City receives via it’s social media and, more recently, the 2015 Citizen Satisfaction Survey, there are many who believe: “that too little is being done by TxDOT”; “that it’s a mess”; and “that it’s making things worse.” One common topic of criticism however, is that the FM 1938 Phase 2 project, which is expected to be done in 2017, isn’t showing any significant progress in reaching that completion date.

Since the project’s start in April 2015 however, TxDOT contractors have been working daily along northbound FM 1938 and the intersection of FM 1938/Southlake Boulevard (FM 1709)- usually during off-peak hours and nights as to avoid making the traffic situation any worse. In that time, new asphalt has been laid, the installation of drainage is on-going, and the widening of segments of the road – such as near Johnson Road, Florence Road, and Beam Drive – is underway. Overall, that work north along FM 1938 represents significant progress on this project.

Recently, some news was shared regarding the time table for the completion of the intersection work at FM 1938 and Southlake Boulevard (FM 1709). “Our hope is that by the end of the Summer 2016… this intersection should be completed” said former Southlake Public Works Director Bob Price at the February 16, 2016 City Council Meeting during a discussion of capital project updates. This optimism is fueled by the significant work completed so far- such as some of the under ground drainage and the paving that has begun at the intersection – and TxDOTs own time table for the completion of the intersection work.  And although the date isn’t set in stone, it does represent a light at the end of the tunnel that one of the biggest sources of traffic congestion could be finished in the next several months.

As we more forward, keep in mind that significant works remains and that this construction will continue to challenge motorists’ patience during the morning and evening rush hours.  It’s with that in mind that we offer some helpful hints:

  • Plan ahead and give yourself enough time to get where you need to go
  • Use a traffic application if possible
  • Be patient. The construction won’t be complete until 2017.
  • Stay informed.

The last point is crucial in getting through these growing pains. The City is doing what we can to make residents aware of the progress of the project via MySouthlakeNews.com, Facebook and Twitter. TxDOT also provides periodic updates via the fm1938mobility@gmail.com email list – sign up to keep up to date on the latest in the FM 1938 construction project.

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