MCK-2017-03-11-01Lake Forest Drive expansion


The city is widening Lake Forest Drive from two lanes to four lanes from Wilmeth Road to Bloomdale Road. A portion of Bloomdale east of the intersection of Bloomdale and Lake Forest will also be reconstructed.


City staff said crews have all the pre-paving work done and are now starting the paving process. Some concrete has already been poured as of late Feburary.


Timeline: September-June
Cost: $3.7 million
Funding sources: city of McKinney


MCK-2017-03-11-02Virginia Parkway widening


The city of McKinney began Feb. 20 construction on the Virginia Parkway Lanes 5 & 6 widening project. The project will add an additional lane in each direction from just east of Ridge Road to US 75.


New traffic signals will be installed at Crutcher Crossing and Mallard Lakes Drive. In areas where the contractor is working, one lane of traffic may be closed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and delays are expected. Construction will begin on the west end of the project between Ridge and Bellegrove Drive.


Timeline: February 2017-December 2018
Cost: $1.5 million
Funding sources: city of McKinney


MCK-2017-03-11-04



How it works


MCK-2017-03-11-03

How are state speed limits determined?


Whenever a new road is built in Texas, the entity constructing the roadway is required to reach out to the Texas Transportation Commission to determine the speed limit for the new road, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.


Factors that determine a road’s speed limit include the road’s length and location, transitions from other speed limits, directional differences, trial runs of the roadway and the location of regulatory speed limit signs along the road, according to TxDOT.


Local governments hold some control over determining speed limits as well. Cities, counties and other government officials work with TxDOT to conduct studies and pass city speed ordinances based on TxDOT recommendations, TxDOT Public Information Officer Deidrea George said.


The maximum speed limit on Texas roadways is 70 mph, by law. However, the TTC is allowed to establish a maximum speed of 75 mph on highways that are determined safe enough to handle the higher speed limit. Some highway systems—such as I-10 and I-20—can accommodate speeds of 80 or 85 mph.


Legislation filed this session could affect maximum speed limits across the state. State Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin, filed House Bill 1368 to lower the prima facie speed limits on urban district roads from 30 mph to 25 mph. The prima facie speed limit is the unspoken speed limit on roads without a posted speed limit.