Residents of McKinney and surrounding communities along with TxDOT representatives and consultants on the project gathered at the Collin County Courthouse to discuss the US 380 bypass alignment. The meeting was prompted by the completion of an environmental impact study that began in 2020.
The open-house-style meeting was spread out across the first floor of the courthouse, with dedicated areas to view maps, pre-recorded presentations, ask questions of project representatives and leave comments. Many of the concerns from attendees were centered around the alignment sections preferred by TxDOT as part of the Blue Alternative route.
The environmental study looked at historic places, cemeteries and wetlands that may be affected by the alignment, according to TxDOT officials. During the study, the agency looked at all viable options for an alignment, which were labeled with four colors: blue, purple, brown and gold. Each colored alternative consists of five segments labeled as A, B, C, D and E. Now, TxDOT has the draft version of the results of this study.
Following results of the study, TxDOT is recommending its Blue Alternative, composed of Segments A, E and C. Under this configuration, the freeway would be constructed on about 16 miles on a new location on Coit Road and US 380 and extend east around the northern portion of McKinney, connecting back to the existing US 380 near FM 1827, east of McKinney city limits. In 2022, McKinney City Council passed a resolution in support of the Brown Alternative, which comprises Segments B, E and C.
JD Eubank attended the Feb. 16 hearing with his mother and a group of their neighbors, all residents affected by the segment C portion of the blue alignment, TxDOT’s preferred alignment.
The group, wearing “[segment] C Catastrophe” stickers, attended the hearing to spread awareness of their opposition to segment C. The Eubanks family has lived on their property for about 25 years, J.D. Eubank said. The alignment would bisect their property, which includes forest land.
“There is a much better option for TxDOT,” J.D. Eubank said, referring to the alternative segment D alignment.
TxDOT Public Information Officer Madison Schein noted the preferred alignment was identified using a holistic look at all relevant factors, including resident and business displacement. Following a month-long online public hearing period, TxDOT plans to continue analysis of the project with consideration of comments from the public, along with refining the project’s design.
The final decision on the alignment that will be constructed is not expected until the end of 2023, Schein said.
A second public hearing meeting on the topic will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 in the gymnasium of Rhea’s Mill Baptist Church, located at 5733 N. Custer Road, McKinney. Those unable to attend in person can also attend a virtual public hearing that will be available until March 21, as well as leave comments, at www.keepitmovingdallas.com/US380EIS.
