Turn lane, extension continue

Ongoing projects in Southlake, one large and one small, are aimed at easing congestion in two different places.

Construction extending North Kimball Avenue to Dove Road is expected to start again in the fall, according to Southlake Public Works Director Robert Price's blog.

Price writes that phase two of the project will start after all the utilities are relocated.

Phase one of the project widened the road from two lanes to four-lane divided highway from Hwy. 114 to Kirkwood Boulevard.

The first phase also included planting trees, putting perennials in the medians, installing six-foot sidewalks and putting up street lights.

Sod was added north of Kirkwood and south of Highland Street for aesthetics and to prevent erosion.

It took the city longer than expected to acquire right of way for the second phase, according to Price's blog. The city finished getting the right of way in January.

The utility relocation includes moving a natural gas line from the middle of the road to the west side, as well as other relocations by other companies.

To keep up with Price's blog, go to www.cityofsouthlake.com.

Other work in the city includes extension of the right turn lane on Randol Mill Avenue, also known as FM 1938, at Southlake Boulevard.

After FM 2938 was widened through Westlake, traffic started piling up in the southbound lanes at that intersection.

The longer turn lane is expected to relieve that congestion.