The City of McAllen announced today the official opening of part of the Bicentennial Blvd. Expansion Project, which extends from Dove Avenue to Trenton Road. The entire expansion project cost $5.2 million; federal funds totaling $913,069 was awarded to beautify the hike and bike trail expansion along Bicentennial, extending the trails 0.4 miles north of Trenton Rd. The expansion to Nolana Avenue will open at a later date.
“We are very excited to improve the mobility of our city, and to help ease traffic congestion,” said McAllen Mayor Richard F. Cortez.
The two-mile project contains four lanes, two southbound and two northbound, dedicated left turn bays at intersecting roadways and hike and bike trails along the eastern corridor. The new stretch of roadway includes a "continuous green, T intersection". Northbound traffic will have a continuous green light, unless a pedestrian activates the crossing signal.
The project, which began construction on February 2010, also expands the existing drainage canal to improve conveyance and storage capacity.
Project Facts:
· Number of Lanes: 4 (2 Northbound, 2 Southbound; Dedicated Left-turn bays at Intersecting Roadways)
· Intersecting Roadways: Nolana Avenue, Dove Avenue, Lark Avenue (west), Trenton Road
· Hike & Bike Trail – Along Eastern Corridor
· Expands existing drainage channel to improve conveyance and storage capacity; shallow slopes allow ease of maintenance and mitigate natural erosion
The adjacent hike and bike trails will be extended north of Trenton Road to the Morris Middle School Regional Detention Facility will continue construction. Motorized vehicles are prohibited from the hike and bike trail corridor.
Graphics Describing the Continuous Green T Intersection:
