The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) invites you to an open house/citizen meeting to learn about and comment on a project that is evaluating transportation improvements for two south side roadways: Saratoga Boulevard (SH 357) from just west of Staples Street (FM 2444) to Rodd Field Road, and Staples Street (FM 2444) from Saratoga Boulevard (SH 357) to Oso Creek. The purpose of these studies is to develop recommendations to improve safety and mobility along these high-growth roadways. 

The meeting will include two sessions on Thursday, October 25^th at the Kaffie Middle School Cafeteria (5922 Brockhampton). An Open House specifically for property/business owners will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. to help collect input about future development plans and identify any unique property issues relative to potential improvements along these roadways. A Citizen Meeting/Open House will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a presentation at 6 p.m.  

TxDOT staff and consultants will be available at both sessions to explain the project purpose and scope, answer questions, and listen to project suggestions.
 

Citizen Meeting Information

Property/Business Owners Meeting Information 

No improvement decisions have been made at this point in the planning process. Potential short-term and intermediate improvements that will be evaluated include: raised medians; traffic signal timing improvements; left turn lanes at median openings and intersections; driveway reconfigurations and/or consolidations; and others that could be made entirely within the existing right of way. Long-term solutions will also be identified, such as strategies successfully used in other communities to improve traffic flow and safety. Another open house meeting will be scheduled in early to mid 2008 for the public to review and comment on possible improvements.

These projects are not considering any improvements that would require additional through lanes or additional right of way. Additional travel lanes on these roads could be pursued in the future.
 

TxDOT initiated these studies because Staples Street, Saratoga Boulevard and the surrounding areas have experienced substantial growth, which is anticipated to continue. As traffic and development along these corridors have increased, so have the number of conflict points along these roads. Conflict points are locations on a road where two vehicles' paths can cross. Each conflict point is a location where crashes tend to occur. Research and similar improvements in other communities have shown that roadways with fewer vehicular conflict points and adequate spacing between driveways have fewer collisions and better traffic flow. 

Congestion and traffic backups have an impact on access to businesses. Improving traffic flow helps reduce congestion and provides smoother, safer access for customers and deliveries. With additional development planned along these roads, safe and uncongested corridors are important to economic growth.