Commissioners approve $4.01 million final design contract for I‑20 frontage road

Parker County Commissioners on Aug. 24 approved a $4,011,400 final design contract for the I‑20 frontage road project, advancing the work to bid and construction readiness. The contract splits $3,748,000 to Graham & Associates and $263,400 to Friesen Nichols for consultant management and review.

Chris Bosco, the presenting consultant, said the added scope includes additional field survey and drainage work around Sanchez Creek and a traffic signal at Dennis Road to coordinate with TxDOT. "So the Graham and Associates amount is 3,748,000," Bosco said, and explained that some program costs would be funded by a transfer from the East‑West Arterial project to equal the proposed budget amount.

Commission staff and a county project manager said the schematic design has reached about 60% and that moving to final PS&E will shorten the timeline compared with TxDOT's typical schedule. Chad Marvitz, who spoke in support, called the step "a huge milestone" and said the county's work will accelerate frontage‑road delivery.

The court approved the contract by recorded vote (motion, second; "carries 5‑0"). The county indicated it will advertise the project for public meetings and bidding in coordination with TxDOT. The contract approval also included internal budget transfers to cover the additional program cost and the county's program management oversight budget.

The project is presented as part of a broader set of regional transportation efforts to bring state and external funding into Parker County; county staff said the final PS&E will support advertising the work and unlocking external construction dollars.