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Unitec property owners and engineers urge short‑ and long‑term fixes for Carriers Drive; council asks staff for plan in 60 days
Summary
Unitec POA and consultants presented a traffic circulation plan to address heavy truck flows during upcoming TxDOT I‑35 construction; short‑term restriping and opening Railroad Drive were proposed as immediate relief, and a relief‑route buildout (approx. $19M pending) and coordination with TxDOT were presented for longer term.
A coalition of property owners and engineers described traffic and access problems in the Unitec Industrial Park and proposed a mix of short‑, medium‑ and long‑term improvements timed to upcoming TxDOT I‑35 construction.
Edward Gassa, principal engineer representing the Unitec Property Owners Association, outlined a traffic circulation plan that includes short‑term restriping of Carriers Drive to increase effective capacity and medium/long‑term projects such as completing a relief route and widening sections of Carriers Drive to five lanes where right‑of‑way permits. Gassa noted many park streets are 26–38 years old and that truck traffic will intensify while TxDOT works on I‑35. He identified an estimated $19 million to finish the remaining relief‑route portion and said some developer‑built segments are already in place.
Council and staff discussed feasibility and maintenance costs associated with restriping (striping on truck routes may require frequent reapplication) and the importance of coordination with the Regional Mobility Authority and TxDOT schematic and bid timelines. City staff confirmed Railroad Drive is near final acceptance and said opening that segment would provide near‑term relief. The council passed a motion asking staff to return within 60 days with a set of short‑, medium‑ and long‑term recommendations, cost estimates and funding options.
The motion requests staff coordination with regional partners (RMA, TxDOT) and property owners to identify priorities that can be executed before or during the planned four‑year I‑35 construction window.
