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A troubled stretch of Northwest Highway is set to receive some improvements this fall.
Using the existing roadway, the Texas Department of Transportation plans to install additional turn lanes at four intersections: Midway, Inwood, the Dallas North Tollway and Preston. This is welcome news, considering the recent debates over traffic and density. But will it be enough to make a difference?
“We’re mostly adding a right turn lane or left turn lane to expand the storage space,” says David Gan with TxDOT. “It improves the overall operation of traffic.”
On Northwest Highway at Preston the project will yield dual left turn lanes. Gan says the extra lanes will better accommodate the higher number of cars making left turns these days, while pushing through-traffic along more quickly.
The project, which has 20 percent state and 80 percent federal funding, will go out for bid in August. The work could begin in October.
In its zoning application for the six-story residential community at the northeast corner of Preston and Northwest Highway, Transwestern proposed reserving part of its property for a right turn lane at Northwest Highway and a left turn lane at Preston and Averill Way if the city deems it necessary. The proposal isn’t on TxDOT’s radar yet, Gan says.
Neighbors had a lively but civil discussion about the Transwestern project Tuesday night at University Park United Methodist Church. Most in attendance opposed the development, citing three main issues that have been central to the debate: height, density and traffic.
As of 2010, about 56,000 cars drive on that section of Northwest Highway. Some argue that the extra 600-800 trips a day projected from the Transwestern development is a drop in the bucket. But it sets a precedent, says one lifelong resident.
“The problem is that you open the door to changing the character of our neighborhood.”
But others say Dallas is undergoing a real estate boom. Growth is inevitable, and “you might as well get used to it.”
Facing two busy state highways, the site isn’t walkable like other successful high-density areas, says James Parks of Preston Hollow East. “I don’t think this is the type of density we need.”
Opponents have stressed they’re not anti-development; they simply want a development within the current zoning (allowing for three stories). Bill Dalstrom, Transwestern’s zoning attorney, says “We need five and six stories to provide the quality we want to provide.”
Kelly Rigas is a resident of Town House Row, which comprises the 12 town homes that are being sold to Transwestern for the project. She says she’s impressed by the fact that developers are willing put their land and money toward traffic improvements. “I think that’s huge.”
City staff won’t complete its review of the project until July 10, after which a City Plan Commission hearing will be set. It could be a few more months before we see any more momentum on this.
Laura Miller — the high-profile opponent who is still very much active in the debate — stated, “We will show up in droves if this goes through the process.”
Meanwhile: The City Plan Commission has postponed its hearing on the Highland House in Preston Center, over neighbor notification issues.
