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Rockwall commissioners ask staff to draft UTP resolution for three near‑ready road projects
Summary
At a Jan. 21 workshop, Rockwall County commissioners directed staff to draft a resolution asking state officials and TxDOT to prioritize FM 276, FM 548 (Windmill Farms to SH 205) and FM 552 for inclusion in the state Unified Transportation Program (UTP).
Rockwall County Commissioners Court on Jan. 21, 2025, instructed county staff to prepare a resolution asking state lawmakers and the Texas Department of Transportation to prioritize three roadway projects — FM 276, FM 548 (Windmill Farms to State Highway 205) and FM 552 — for inclusion in the state’s Unified Transportation Program (UTP).
The court’s action came after city officials and county staff reviewed a list of consortium priorities and the readiness of several projects. County and city speakers told the court the three projects are among the most advanced in design and permitting and are candidates for funding in the 2026 UTP cycle.
Lacey Rogers, city engineer for Royce City, told the court the city’s priorities have been stable since they were first submitted to the county consortium in 2021. “The priorities have not changed,” Rogers said, listing FM 35, FM 548 and an “outer loop” among Royce City’s long‑term projects.
Stephen Downes, assistant city manager for Fate, emphasized the short‑term needs surrounding school openings and planned commercial development and flagged FM 552 and FM 551 as priorities for his city. “We anticipate a lot of traffic starting to head up that way,” Downes said of the area around the new high school tied to FM 552.
Brenda Callaway, representing the county’s Infrastructure and Transportation Services (ITS), summarized project status and funding constraints. On Ben Paine Road design work she said, “Kimley Horn has signed it. We’ve got the contract in hand. We’re waiting to bring it to you for signature for issuance of bond funds.” She also said, “Right now we don’t have any bond funds to fund the engineering part of that contract.”
County engineers and TxDOT partners briefed commissioners on which projects already have schematic/environmental clearance, right‑of‑way work or design consultants in place. ITS staff identified FM 276, FM 548 (Windmill Farms to 205) and FM 552 as the projects most ready to move into funding consideration for the 2026 UTP.
Commissioners and city leaders also discussed the county’s unissued 2021 bond funds and other committed allocations. The court’s presiding judge said he would compile an itemized accounting of bond allocations, encumbrances and remaining unencumbered balances to inform future allocations.
After discussion, the court asked ITS to draft a resolution for the court to consider that would ask the county’s state legislative delegation and TxDOT to support funding for FM 276, FM 548 (Windmill Farms to SH 205) and FM 552. ITS staff agreed to prepare the draft resolution and bring it back to commissioners for action.
The workshop included additional updates and requests from city leaders across Rockwall County about local thoroughfare plans, coordination with the road consortium, and projects not eligible for UTP funding (local city roads such as Ben Paine and Horizon Road), which the county said still may require county bond funds to advance engineering and right‑of‑way work.
The court did not take a formal vote during the workshop. Commissioners framed the instruction to ITS as a direction to prepare a draft resolution for a future public meeting where the court could formally adopt it.
