Fair Oaks Ranch approves DND Contractors for Detail Corn road and waterline, chooses bid design while directing more study on school-hour traffic

The Fair Oaks Ranch City Council on July 2 approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with DND Contractors Incorporated for the Detail Corn Road east reconstruction and waterline replacement project and accepted the contractor’s bid design that includes dedicated left-turn lanes at the Chartwell Lane and Saddle Song intersection. The motion carried on a council voice vote.

Public Works Director Grant Watton described the project as “full depth reconstruction of Detail Corn between Fair Oaks Parkway and Ralph Fair Road,” adding the bid package also includes a new 12-inch main under the north shoulder from the Elmo Davis water plant toward the Corley Tract. Staff said work will be performed within existing right-of-way, with driveway and mailbox adjustments where necessary.

The council debated two design options: proceed with the contractor’s bid (which separates turning and through traffic with dedicated left-turn lanes) or retain the existing intersection footprint (saving roughly $3,400). Several council members said they supported the wider footprint because it preserves future options. “Let’s get the intersection put in and let’s see what the traffic flow is once all this is complete,” Grant Watton said during the discussion.

Council members expressed repeated concern about morning and afternoon school‑drop-off congestion at Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary School. Council member Emily said she worried the proposed configuration “doesn’t help the school traffic,” urging that additional measures be identified for school hours. Options discussed included a permanent four‑way stop (which state guidance would make effective 24/7 if installed), flashing beacons paired with stop signs, temporary stop signs to test changes, posting mobile speed radar on detour routes, scheduling a police officer to direct traffic during peak school times, and commissioning a professional traffic study.

Chris Deppki, vice chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee, recommended a professional traffic study to evaluate alternatives beyond staffing or signals and noted the project was currently under budget. Council members agreed to proceed with the awarded design but directed staff to return to council with traffic‑control recommendations (and to place the topic on a future workshop agenda). Staff committed to pre‑construction outreach: a pre‑construction meeting in mid‑July, an open house late July, and construction to begin in August with final acceptance expected in September 2027.

The resolution approved authorizes the city manager to execute the construction agreement and all associated documents in an amount not to exceed the figure stated in the motion. The council’s vote was taken by voice and the motion passed; staff will manage contract execution and subsequent traffic‑control planning.