TxDOT Proposes FM 543 McKinney Upgrades

The Texas Department of Transportation will open a public meeting on Thursday, May 21, for proposed improvements to FM 543 in McKinney, covering the corridor from County Road 125 to Trinity Falls Parkway. The agency said the meeting will run in two formats: an in-person open house from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Myers Park and Event Center – The Landing, and a virtual presentation posted online at 5 p.m. the same day. TxDOT said the purpose is to gather public input and provide information on the proposed project in Collin County. Written comments must be received by Friday, June 5. ### Where exactly is the project, and what is TxDOT proposing? FM 543 is the stretch between County Road 125 and Trinity Falls Parkway that TxDOT says it wants to reconstruct and widen in stages. The agency’s notice says the phased approach would depend on traffic volumes and available funding. Initial construction would build four travel lanes, with two lanes in each direction and a grass median, according to TxDOT. The agency said the roadway would later be widened inward when traffic warrants it. The long-range buildout would include six 12-foot-wide travel lanes, with three lanes in each direction and a raised median ranging from four to 24 feet wide. TxDOT also said it proposes to realign FM 543 between County Road 201 and County Road 168 to improve safety. ### What else would change along the corridor? TxDOT said the project would add shared-use paths on both sides of the roadway. Those paths would be eight to 10 feet wide, according to the meeting notice. The proposed right of way would range from about 118 feet to 293 feet, the agency said. TxDOT also said the project could require additional right of way and, subject to final design, could displace one residence. Relocation assistance is available for displaced people and businesses, according to the notice. TxDOT said information on relocation services, right-of-way acquisition and the tentative construction schedule is available through its Dallas District office. ### What happens at the May 21 meeting? The in-person session on May 21 will be held at Myers Park and Event Center – The Landing, 7117 County Road 166, McKinney, Texas 75071. TxDOT said the meeting will use an open-house format rather than a live presentation. In-person attendees will be able to watch the same prerecorded presentation that will be posted online, review printed project materials, ask questions of TxDOT staff and consultants, and submit written comments, the agency said. The virtual version will remain online for at least 15 days. The meeting materials for both formats will be the same, according to the venue map and project page. TxDOT lists Liang Ding, a professional engineer, as the project contact for questions and comments. ### How can residents comment if they cannot attend? TxDOT said people can submit comments through the virtual meeting materials after they are posted on May 21. The agency’s notice says all comments must be received on or before June 5. For residents without internet access, TxDOT said they can call 214-320-4431 during business hours to ask questions and get access to project materials. The agency also listed a Dallas District number, 214-320-6675, for information about relocation assistance, affected property owners and the tentative right-of-way and construction schedule. ### What should nearby property owners watch most closely? One of the clearest details in TxDOT’s notice is the amount of land the project could require. The agency said the right-of-way footprint would vary across the corridor and could extend to roughly 293 feet in some locations. The notice also says the project may involve construction in wetlands and would involve an action in a floodplain. TxDOT said environmental documentation, studies, maps and drawings are available with the project materials. Friday, June 5, is the next deadline in the process. TxDOT said comments received by that date will become part of the official record for the FM 543 project from County Road 125 to Trinity Falls Parkway.