The City has received resident concerns about traffic congestion and queuing issues on the eastbound Settlers Way approach to the SH 6 signal since 2016. Traffic queuing in the single left turn lane spills back and blocks the through lanes. Traffic from the adjacent retail center exits through the median opening on Settlers Way (about 170 feet west of SH 6) and cuts through the queued traffic, which leads to unsafe traffic conditions.
The Traffic Division identified 14 accidents between 2016 and 2018 that occurred on the eastbound Settlers Way approach to SH 6. Traffic staff utilized professional engineering services in 2019; to conduct turn lane analyses and alternatives for the eastbound Settlers Way approach. Staff held public meetings in July 2020 and September 2021 and received public responses for the proposed turn lane options. The recommended alternative involved narrowing the Settlers Way median to allow dual left turn lanes and modifying the median opening to only allow left turn entries into the adjacent retail center.
The Traffic Division initiated a design contract with Epic Transportation Group, LLC in October 2021. Epic Transportation completed the plans, specifications, and estimate set in February 2022; that provided the designs for the proposed eastbound dual left turn lanes on Settlers Way Blvd at SH 6.
A portion of this project included reducing the southbound SH 6 median nose to allow the proposed eastbound dual left turns onto northbound SH 6. This median reduction on a state facility required a LOSA document through TxDOT. The design engineer developed the LOSA package and submitted the LOSA to TxDOT in April 2022. TxDOT developed and provided the draft LOSA to the City in March 2024. TxDOT requests a signed resolution for the City’s approval of the LOSA document.
The Engineering Department recommends that the City Council authorize Resolution No. 23-22; to approve the LOSA through TxDOT for the construction of the Settlers Way dual left lanes at SH 6 project and designate the City Manager as the authorized official to accept this agreement.