Apr 24, 2006 11:10 pm US/Central
Highland Park Approves Mockingbird Construction
by Jay Gormley
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
After months of heated debate the Highland Park Council has approved a plan to widen Mockingbird Lane.
Parts of the busy residential road will be widened from Hillcrest to the Dallas Tollway.
The council voted 5-0 to start a process that it believes will relieve traffic congestion along Mockingbird, but opponents say the plan will do just the opposite.
Despite the lawn signs, despite the packed council meetings, and despite the verbal opposition, changes are on the way for Mockingbird Lane.
"I do support the project as it is presently envisioned here in the preliminary phase," said resident, Frank Cinatl.
When the Highland Park Council first started hashing out plans the original proposal called for adding left turn lanes at 10 different intersections.
After strong opposition that number was reduced to three and now parts of Mockingbird will actually shrink from 31 feet to 30 feet in order to save 95% of the trees.
The plan will also add another lane just west of Lomo Alto to the Dallas Tollway.
Critics say, 'if you build it, they will come,' meaning more drivers.
"Widening and putting in left turn lanes is not going to improve the quality of life in Highland Park. It's just going to encourage more people to pass down Mockingbird Lane,' said resident Arthur White.
The council approved a preliminary plan which can be altered as time goes by, but changing the plan in the middle of the process could start a brand new battle.
(CBS 11 News)
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