In 2017, Irving launched two of its leading infrastructure initiatives, Road to the Future: $100 Million in 5 Years, and Investing in our Future. These initiatives focus on opening new or remodeled facilities; addressing traffic flow; and improving the city’s aging roads, drainage, and water and wastewater pipelines. For the past year, the City Council, city staff, engineers and crews have worked diligently on projects designed to meet the needs of a growing community. Here are some highlights from the 2017 infrastructure projects.
Drainage
By 2019, the City of Irving Capital Improvement Program (CIP) will help protect 229 structures south of State Highway 183 by building new drainage channels that contain a 100-year flood. The project is designed to handle increased stormwater runoff from the reconstructed SH 183. This drainage project includes Delaware Creek and two branches from Lively Park to SH 183.
The Embassy Channel project involved the reconstruction of the Live Oak Road and Colony Road bridges. In March and April, respectively, the Live Oak Road Bridge crossing at Delaware Creek and the new Colony Road Bridge officially reopened.
The Embassy Channel and Upper Brockbank Channel drainage improvement projects are the first two phases of a four-phase drainage channel improvement program. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year on improvements to the Lower Brockbank Channel, south of Grauwyler Road to Lively Park, and Delaware Creek, from Lively Park to MacArthur Boulevard.
Facilities
Residents will soon see renovations on the first floor of the former Central Library Building for construction of the Irving Archive and Museum. While design details are still in the works, the $2 million project will include 22,000 square feet that looks out over Veterans Memorial Park. A public preview is slated for December 2018.
Parks and Recreation
A new playground was installed at Senter Park in March. Funded by Community Development Block Grants, it features an expanded playground with more play activities and engineered wood fiber at the ground surface. The play unit for ages 2 to 5 features a shade screen over the top. The play unit for ages 5 to 12 is designed to promote active and imaginative play, while accommodating more children.
As a result of unprecedented rainfall in 2015 and 2016, the Trinity River overflowed its banks and caused considerable damage along Irving’s Campion Trail. Four parks along Irving’s North Campion Trail — Sam Houston Trail Park, T.W. Richardson Grove, California Crossing Park and Bird’s Fort Trail Park — were affected. Oversaturated soil shifted, was washed out from under scenic overlooks and concrete trail paths, and eroded along the banks of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. The city’s CIP and Parks and Recreation departments coordinated the repairs, totaling almost $1.48 million.
Streets
Drivers have easier access to the Toyota Music Factory and areas around the Urban Center now that crews have completed the first phase of construction on Las Colinas Boulevard from Fuller Drive to O’Connor Boulevard.
Part of the improvements include new brick crosswalks, landscaping and lighting. Crews are using a thicker, stronger pavement designed to extend the longevity of the road. The next phase runs from O’Connor Boulevard to Wingren Drive. Completion is slated for early 2019.
Road to the Future Projects
Nursery Road will be rebuilt from Oakdale Road to Hunter Ferrell Road, and it includes access to a hike and bike trail from Senter Park to Fritz Park that will extend toward Nursery Road and into the Mountain Creek Preserve.
In southwest Irving, Hard Rock Road will be expanded from a two- to a three-lane undivided street and Pioneer Drive from a two- to a four-lane divided street. The project also includes installation of drainage systems, larger water and wastewater pipelines, sidewalks and street lamps. Construction begins this summer, and the project is expected to take a year to complete.
Both the Nursery Road and Hard Rock Road/Pioneer Drive projects include work from the city’s CIP, Water Utilities and Traffic and Transportation departments.
Traffic
During 2017, the city’s Traffic Signal Division replaced 208 traffic signals in more than 200 intersections of Irving’s 70 square miles. The Advanced Traffic Management System, a new communication network, will improve traffic safety, synchronize traffic flow and feature the capability to integrate emerging technology and system monitoring, as well as the flexibility for future upgrades and expansion.
With this new technology, the Traffic Signal division will be able to wirelessly connect and remotely program all of the 130 school zone indicators. This upgrade will eliminate manual programming for each indicator for the three different school districts throughout Irving.
Water Utilities
Water Utilities staff works 24/7 operating the city’s complex water and wastewater systems. In 2017, staff responded to more than 102,000 service requests and work orders — an average of 2,000 per week. Field crews responded to leaks; water and sewer pipeline breaks; cleanups; new service taps; fire hydrant and valve repairs; sewer stoppages; sewer cleaning; sewer video assessments; billing inquiries; and other operations and maintenance issues. With an aging system of almost 1,500 miles of pipeline, six water pump stations, 10 sewer lift stations and thousands of other assets, staff is always working to keep the water flowing and the pressure high.
In September 2017, the Water Utilities Department added its ninth elevated water storage tank at Royal Lane and Royal Ridge Parkway. As new residential development progresses, the new water tower will ensure homes in the area will have adequate water pressure. It also improves the reliability of the water system and strengthens the city’s ability to meet any demands for firefighting in the area.
For a comprehensive look at this year’s projects, visit CityofIrving.org/2255 and CityofIrving.org/3088.
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