The Northlake Town Council voted to move forward with plans for intersection improvements, including a long-awaited stoplight, at the intersection of FM 407 and Cleveland-Gibbs Road at the February 27, 2020 Town Council meeting.
The decision follows a traffic study of the intersection completed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) in 2019, and high demand from residents in the area. Town Administrator Drew Corn said that although TXDOT plans to expand FM 407 in the future, there is currently a pressing need for a traffic light.
“Mayor Rettig and Northlake Town Council have made the installation of this traffic light a top priority,” Corn said. “The traffic light cannot wait until FM 407 is expanded.”
The intersection improvements will also include the addition of new left-turn lanes on FM 407, following a TXDOT requirement for all new traffic lights.
The Town Council voted to enter an interlocal cooperation agreement with the Belmont Freshwater Supply District (FWSD) No. 1 for cost sharing of the turn lanes. Based upon a previously negotiated agreement, the Town and the Belmont FWSD will share costs for the turn lanes. The Town is contributing $150,000, and Belmont FWSD $225,000. TXDOT has committed funds to the traffic signal of approximately $325,000.
“This traffic signal is important for the safety of Northlake residents but also for the thousands of drivers passing through Northlake,” Corn said. “Without this funding partnership with TXDOT and the Belmont Fresh Water Supply District, this project would not have been accomplished as quickly.”