The name "single point urban intersection" may mean little to McKinney drivers now, but soon it will be associated with one of the busiest intersections in the city as the Texas Department of Transportation unveils the newly redesigned Eldorado Parkway at US 75 intersection this fall.
City officials said the name refers to the fact that all traffic turning left to or from US 75 will be controlled from a single set of traffic signals located atop the bridge. This allows left-turning vehicles to turn simultaneously without crossing.
There will be three different traffic cycles. The first is for Eldorado Parkway through traffic that is not turning. The second is for traffic turning left from U.S. 75 onto Eldorado Parkway. The third is for traffic turning left from Eldorado Parkway onto U.S. 75.
The overpass has endured closures this week as crews work to install traffic light poles, curbs and pavement markings. It was reopened last night at 9 p.m.; however, some work is still needed for the interchange to be fully complete.
City officials said drivers making u-turns currently use stop signs but will soon have dedicated signals. Additional pavement markings, signs and concrete sidewalks are also needed.
In the coming days and weeks, additional lane closures will be required to complete the work and drivers are encouraged to pay close attention to pavement markings, signs and signals as they travel through the intersection, officials said.
The first intersection of this kind in Texas was installed at Plano's Parker Road and US 75 interchange in 2010. At the time, engineers said the design would ultimately reduce congestion.
These three phases can be seen
here.