Johnson County
TxDOT saves money on Texas 121 preparation
The Johnson County Commissioners received a report on the long-stalled Texas 121 corridor at Monday’s meeting that showed positive signs that progress is being made.
The project calls for the extension of Texas 121 for 14 miles from Fort Worth through Tarrant County and into Johnson County, where it will meet with U.S. 67 in Cleburne.
Brian Barth, deputy district engineer for Texas Department of Transportation, reported that they opened bid proposals for the project and saved money in the process.
“I guess the big news that I can report is that we’ve let our two recovery act projects in conjunction with Southwest Parkway-Chisholm Trail,” he said. “The first one was at I-20, the ground level improvements; it let for roughly $116 million. That’s about $17 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds that we’re allocated to it.”
Texas voters approved Proposition 12 general obligation bonds, backed by the state’s general revenue fund, in 2007.
The Texas Legislature authorized TxDOT to use about $2 billion in those bonds for highway improvements in July 2009.
“Our U.S. 67 project let at the same time for about $4.8 million. That project had $10 million in recovery act funding and $10 million in Proposition 12 funding,” Barth said. “So it was under by about $7.5 million. We’re going to look at using the savings to build the rest of 67 to the west.”
The U.S. 67 project is expected to be let out for bids by the deadline to use the ARRA funding in March 2010.
Barth also said that TxDOT and the North Texas Tollway Authority met in the past few days with “marathon meetings” Thursday and Friday in Austin and Plano.
“I haven’t heard many details from the meetings, but everybody that I know who has attended those meetings report that things are moving forward,” he said.
Precinct 2 Commissioner John Matthews said he’s glad that the NTTA is becoming “a little bit more up front with sharing the costs they establish for a project.”
Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon said the project would be important for the safety of drivers, in addition to convenience.
“It’s the feeder road into Highway 121 and Chisholm Trail Parkway, and that’s the No. 1 purpose of that,” he said. “The other purpose of that is the safety issues that’s on that road, and it will definitely clear up some issues in regards to safety. Last time I checked, probably six months ago, we had 18 deaths on that road.”
Other mobility projects in preparation for future interchanges at both ends of the project are still slated for early 2010.
- Johnson County
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Ceremony to break ground on 121 set
The first ground-breaking ceremony of the Texas 121-Chisholm Trail Project is scheduled for next week, Johnson County officials announced Monday.
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Hewlett files for mayor
Justin Hewlett, owner of Hewlett Office Systems, filed for the mayor’s seat in the May Cleburne City Council elections on Monday. Single Member District 4 Councilman John Warren filed to seek re-election to his seat on Monday as well.
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Educating through the arts
Her résumé is impressive. An educator, therapist, dancer, minister and actor, Bonnie Hawkins-Jordan seems the kind of person who might live in Hollywood. But she doesn’t. She lives in Cleburne, sharing her ministry with those around her any way she can.
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Challenger seeks to oust Precinct 4 incumbent
Johnson County Precinct 4 voters have a choice this year between re-electing incumbent Commissioner Don Beeson, or electing his challenger, Bart Basham.
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Park and ride lot to be discussed
Cleburne City Council members will vote Tuesday on P.E.T. Construction’s $171,704 bid to construct a park-and-ride lot at the Cletran location.
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Medina brings campaign to Cleburne
Several hundred area residents attended a Saturday Burleson Tea Party rally held at Forrest Auto Group in Cleburne.
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2/8 Felony arrests
The following felony arrests are taken from public records at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. All individuals should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Fire destroys home, occupants OK
A Wednesday morning fire resulted in no injuries, but destroyed a home near Burleson.
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Showers put lake level above spillway
With showers continuing through this morning, Lake Pat Cleburne lake level was reported at 734.1 feet, about six inches over the spillway, said local weather watcher Gayle White.
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Suspect arrested in Alvarado shooting death
- More Johnson County Headlines
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Ceremony to break ground on 121 set
