The project timeline has been extended as a result of project timeline changes for the SH 5 redevelopment project by the Texas Department of Transportation, Director of Engineering Gary Graham said at a Dec. 3 McKinney City Council work session meeting.
The gist
The project includes a bridge at ground level on the existing SH 5 as well as a park that extends under the roadway and on either side of the bridge between East Virginia Street and Louisiana Street. The project will serve as both a public park and safe pedestrian crossing.
The Lower 5 Plaza initiative was first considered in 2022, with city staff initially presenting three design options. The design style for the project was selected by McKinney City Council members in April 2023.
The estimated cost to construct the project in the selected design style totaled $40 million-$45 million, according to a presentation by city staff at a December council meeting. A $15 million grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation to the project in March, through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grant program.
The project will impact five total properties, which impacts more than 10 businesses, according to city documents.
The update
The project, which is being incorporated into the reconstruction of SH 5, was initially expected to begin construction in 2026. The work on the project is now not expected to begin until 2028.
TxDOT has prioritized other projects in the area as well as other portions of this project, Graham said, causing the timeline change. Delays in utility relocations have also contributed to the change, he said.
“TxDOT has been focusing on the [US] 380 bypass and Spur 399 extension, so it’s caused this project to slip a little bit,” Graham said.
The environmental impact assessment process for the project is underway and expected to continue until October 2025, he said, noting that there will be a public meeting as part of the process.
The project has also seen changes to the funding plan, Graham said. The project is estimated to cost $40 million-$45 million, the presentation stated. Various funding sources were expected to contribute, but the city’s portion was estimated to be about $16 million. Due to changes in what the federal grant is eligible to be used for, the city-funded portion is now expected to be about $3 million, he said.
The cost estimates were created based on 2023 values, Graham said, noting that city officials should expect some cost escalations when it comes time to build the project.
Design work for the park is expected to begin in mid-2026. While renderings currently available for the project show a concept, Graham said city officials also plan to host public meetings in the future to help refine a more detailed design for the park.
What else?
City officials are also considering how to implement additional pedestrian safety improvements and crossings along SH 5. An analysis of pedestrian traffic was conducted at 25 locations on SH 5 between US 380 and Eldorado Parkway, and the data collected will be presented to TxDOT officials in an effort to encourage additional pedestrian crossings being included in the reconstruction project.
However, Graham said the analysis may not result in TxDOT officials electing to add additional pedestrian improvements to the project.
“They may not put additional elements within the project,” he said. “We may have to wait until we take the project off [the TxDOT system] to add some additional safety features for pedestrian crossings.”
Graham said city officials are considering the addition of traffic signals at Lamar, Standifer and Smith Streets along SH 5, which could also incorporate pedestrian crossing improvements prior to the reconstruction project beginning.
What they’re saying
“If we’re going to meaningfully grow our downtown area, it’s going to be ... where our new city hall is going, and we need good pedestrian crossing in order to do that,” McKinney City Council member Patrick Cloutier said.
Also of note
The first phase of the Spur 399 extension project is expected to go to bid in December, Graham said, and begin construction early next year. The project spans from Country Club Road to McMakin Street.
The first phase of the SH 5 reconstruction project is expected to go to bid in mid-2028, and will span from McMakin Street to Power House Street. The project will include TxDOT designing, constructing and funding the bridge that will enable the Lower 5 Plaza project, according to the presentation.
“We will see construction for three years on [Spur 399],” Graham said. “We will then have a little bit of delay, and then TxDOT’s proposed letting date starts mid-2028 for [SH] 5 through the city, so we’re going to see [SH] 5 construction for a long time.”
Learn more
For more information about the planned Lower 5 plaza, visit www.mckinneytexas.org/2022/lower-5-plaza-project.
