Page 31 - Microsoft Word - FY 2020 Adopted Budget Document

Business Plan

The Public Works and Transportation Department is comprised of the following divisions: Business Services,
Construction Services, Engineering Operations, Environmental Management, Floodplain Management, Information Services,
Operations Support, Stormwater Engineering, Stormwater Operations, Street Maintenance, Traffic Engineering, and Traffic
Operations. These divisions function together to design, build, and maintain street and drainage infrastructure and are
responsible for mobility optimization through traffic engineering and technological innovation, and provision of signals,
streetlights, and regulatory signs and markings. Public Works and Transportation staff are also responsible for the quality of
surface water in the City of Arlington by inspecting private construction activities, municipal and industrial facilities that have the
potential to impact surface water quality; and enforcement of local, state, and federal water quality and environmental
regulations.

During FY 2019, the department completed several roadway construction projects. Among them is the completion of
improvements to the intersection of New York Avenue and Eden Road to connect with the Texas Department of Transportation’s
new SH 360 Tollway in southeast Arlington. The project, which was approved by Arlington voters as part of the 2014 Bond
Election, included the installation of a roundabout to promote a safer and more
efficient intersection, sidewalk and bike trail, streetlights, and landscaping. The
realignment was a first step in the City’s long-range thoroughfare development
plan to extend Eden Road from US 287 in southwest Arlington to SH 360 on
the southeast side of the City.

The department’s Capital Improvement and Street Maintenance Programs are
responsible for the infrastructure improvements and maintenance for a
roadway network of over 3,000 lane miles. This is accomplished by resurfacing
roadways in poor condition and beyond maintenance. Through the efforts of
the capital improvement and street maintenance programs, more than 90
percent of the City’s roadways have a satisfactory or better condition rating.

The department has also initiated a pilot program with Applied Information for a test deployment of Connected Vehicle (CV)
application through cellular communication. The application provides travelers with alerts and information for pedestrian/bicycle
proximity, signal phase and timing, fire truck approaching, school zone etc. The test site selected is from UTA Boulevard to
Randol Mill Road along the Cooper Street corridor which includes high pedestrian/bike activity, railroad crossing, and a school
zone. Travelers can download the TravelSafely app to receive alerts while traveling within the Cooper Street corridor.

In addition to their routine maintenance responsibilities, the weather in
FY 2019 kept the department’s Field Operations personnel busy by
responding to 13 severe weather events. The group was aided by the
acquisition and equipping of two Emergency Response Trailers. These
trailers are stocked with barricades, chainsaws, generators, safety gear,
and other emergency equipment and supplies needed to help quickly
remove debris from public street and sidewalks after severe weather
events. Over the course of the year, the department dedicated over
5,200 manhours responding to severe weather events, filled and
distributed 2,538 sandbags free of charge to residents, and removed
nearly 1,500 cubic yards of debris.

The department’s Stormwater group was awarded the City Floodplain
Management Excellence and Amy Cannon, P.E., received Floodplain Manager of the Year Award from the Texas Floodplain
Management Association. These awards recognize the value of the efforts of the department’s flood mitigation efforts. The
Stormwater Floodplain Administration group demonstrated a high level of commitment to upholding the health, safety, and
welfare of its citizens through the provision and enforcement of floodplain regulations, outreach and design initiatives including:
open house meetings, field visits and site assessments, council supported outreach, social media posts and promoting the Turn
Around, Don’t Drown campaign, automated floodplain development permit forms, voluntary property buyouts, flood damage
prevention ordinance, and the adoption of higher standards.

2020 Adopted Budget and Business Plan 18 City of Arlington, Texas