With the first phase of the SH 26 reconstruction project now finished, the city of Colleyville during a Feb. 16 work session heard a community outreach plan for phase two—the largest road project in city history.

Phase 2, reaching from John McCain Road to Brown Trail, is expected to begin in the spring. The Texas Department of Transportation will widen the remaining 3 ½-mile stretch of roadway to three lanes in each direction with a raised curbed median and a dedicated turn lane.

City staff said the outreach plan was formed after doing significant research on similar state-led projects and is a more comprehensive plan than the plan for the first phase of construction.

The new outreach plan includes 29 initiatives in three main components: communication, mobility and business support.

Highlighted in the new plan is consistent communication throughout the project. Initiatives include weekly city staff meetings with TxDOT and the contractors; regular city meetings with business owners/employees; community organization outreach; mailers to area property owners, HOAs and schools; email blasts; a dedicated, continuously udpated website; and text notifications expected to be rolled out in the next month. Residents and business owners will be able to sign up for email and text alerts on the website.

Mobility initiatives include special signage for business drives obscured by construction, a continuation of the Cash Mob program, and banners and vehicle magnets for city vehicles encouraging shopping locally.

Drivers are being encouraged to not take detours off SH 26 during construction because the city wants to encourage residents to continue supporting the local businesses.

City staff estimates the 2 ½-year plan will cost $36,350 to implement.

The SH 26 road construction will cost an estimated $33.5 million.