HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 344 RESOLUTION FILE NO
K R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Texas Turnpike Authority has studied the financial and
engineering feasibility of certain improvements to the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike;
and
WHEREAS, these improvements to the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike included
the following:
-Widening of the Turnpike by provision of an additional
lane in each direction from the Fort Worth Toll Plaza
to Industrial Boulevard in Dallas.
-Minor alteration of the existing interchange at Interstate
COW Loop 820.
-Provision of a full interchange at Sandy Lane Road.
-Modification to the Service Area Interchange to improve
access to the Arlington Stadium-Six Flags area.
-Removal of existing toll plazas and replacement with two new
mainline toll plazas.
WHEREAS , the preliminary project costs for these improvements were
estimated at $65,490,000 which would require an estimated bond issue of $79,130,000;
and
WHEREAS, it was determined feasible to finance these improvements by
marketing of 40 year bonds in late 1977, continuation 6f the existing toll
collection system until 1981, and thereafter charging 30� per auto at both Sandy
Lane and Meyers Road mainline toll plazas until the bonds were retired; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Turnpike Authority has estimated that the existing
Turnpike bonds can be retired in 1977; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Texas Turnpike Authority at an
official meeting on May 2, 1975, unanimously adopted Resolution No. 471 Amended
which read in part:
Resolved, that "l. The Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike be transferred
to the State Highway Department as soon as the bonded indebtedness
is paid out under existing toll Schedules.", and "2. To that end,
no further capital improvements will be made on the Dallas-Fort Worth
Turnpike except as may be directed by the State Highway Department as
a condition of taking over the administration of the road . . ."
' and
WHEREAS, the citizens were promised that Turnpike tolls would be removed
when revenues were sufficient to retire the bonds, and
WHEREAS, the proposal for continuation of tolls on the Turnpike would
be detrimental to the citizens of Fort Worth; and
WHEREAS, modifications to the Turnpike which were studied by the Turnpike
Authority would be inadequate to serve the needs of Fort Worth citizens; and
WHEREAS, continuation of the Turnpike as a toll road would eliminate
possible expenditure of State and Federal funds on improvements to that
facility; and
WHEREAS, quick and convenient access to the Turnpike is needed at Loop
820 and Cooke's Lane, instead of Sandy Lane, as proposed; and
WHEREAS, congestion problems which exist at the Oakland Street exit
from the Turnpike will be largely eliminated when the tolls are removed;
NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS:
THAT, the City Council is opposed to continuation of the tolls on the
Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike; and
THAT, the existing Turnpike bonds should be retired at the earliest
possible time; and
THAT, improvements to the Turnpike be given high priority by the
Regional Transportation Steering Committee and the State Department of Highways
_ and Public Transportation.