Irving’s visual image is being enhanced through the creation of regional entryways into the city along highways and major thoroughfares. Improvements are being made to more than 33 miles of thoroughfares that serve 400,000 automobiles on a daily basis.
The project uses several funding sources, such as tariffs, franchise fees, gas lease revenues and general obligation bonds, to provide for more enhancements using fewer taxpayer dollars.
Design Elements
A more comprehensive design approach is being applied to infrastructure and aesthetics. Functional elements now include:
- Roadway paving and accents
- Bikeway provisions
- Expansion of greenbelts for pedestrians
- Upgrades to street and traffic lights for safety and architectural accent
Quality of life elements include:
- Landscaping improvements
- Public art
- Median treatment and pavers
- Fencing and noise walls
- Monument signage
- Building façade improvements
- Gateways and entryways
Planned Projects
Belt Line Road
- Scope: Median enhancements with ornamental grasses, crepe myrtles, specimen trees, turf irrigation and entry sign
- Project Cost: $1.1 million
- Design Completion: December
- Construction Completion: June
MacArthur Boulevard
Hunter Ferrell Road to Shady Grove Road
- Scope: Median enhancements with ornamental grasses, crepe myrtles, specimen trees, turf irrigation, upgraded streetlights and entry sign
- Project Cost: $555,000
- Design Completion: December
- Construction Completion: August
Shady Grove Road and MacArthur Boulevard
- Scope: Median enhancements with monument signs, gateway marker with public art, brick crosswalks, concrete paving, upgraded traffic standards, façade improvements and underground utilities
- Project Cost: $3.4 million (first project using tariff revenues)
- Design completed
- Construction Completion: May
MacArthur Boulevard
Shady Grove Road to Northgate Drive
- Scope: Median enhancements with ornamental grasses, crepe myrtles, specimen trees, Sixth Street intersection pavers, church frontage, upgraded streetlights and underground utilities
- Project Cost: $4 million
- Design Completion: Summer 2009
- Construction Completion: Summer 2010
O’Connor Boulevard
State Highway 183 to Rochelle Road
Scope: Greenbelt enhancements with ornamental grasses, crepe myrtles, specimen trees, upgraded streetlights, screening wall and pedestrian/bikeway paths
Screening Wall
- Project Cost: $600,000
- Design Completion: December
- Construction Completion: August
- Project Cost: $300,000
- Design Completion: August
- Construction Completion: Summer 2011
Posted Nov. 26