Back in 2000, But it got a very a cool reception, mostly from Park Cities residents.
A standing-room-only crowd of about 130 people turned out to hear plans for a six-lane tollway that would connect North Central Expressway and State Highway 183 through portions of University Park, Highland Park and the city of Dallas. Many had concerns. “I don’t want a tunnel built under my house,” said Jane Wigginton, who lives in the 3600 block of Mockingbird Lane. “I don’t know another way to say it. In a lot of places it’s not a big deal to tunnel underground. Here it’s a big deal. Thinking of having people drive under my house at all hours creeps me out.”
Creeped her out, eh? This sounded pretty cool, actually: an $800 million privately funded project. Once again. Laura Miller (then, a city council member) interjected herself and asked why the cities should be involved in the project:
A Highland Park citizens advisory committee requested the presentation, which was open to the public. The committee was recently formed to study the project and its possible effects on the community. Earlier Monday, The Texas Turnpike Corporation, which is proposing the $800 million privately funded project, presented plans to the Dallas City Council transportation committee. John Crew, president of the private toll road development corporation, asked members of the committee to consider joining the two Park Cities to form the Central Dallas Joint Transportation Authority. The authority would oversee construction and operation of the tunnel.
Mr. Crew told the committee that the cities would not assume any risk in the project. Mr. Crew said 63 investors would put up $5 million for a feasibility study. An $800 million tax-exempt revenue bond issue would follow the study. The bonds would mature in 40 years. The investors would receive an $18 million up-front payment and $6 million annually over 40 years.
Dallas council member Laura Miller, though, wondered why the investors and the Turnpike Corporation were needed at all. She suggested that the cities develop the project and keep the profits, if it is feasible. “Why do we need you guys?” Ms. Miller asked. “Why don’t the cities just do it themselves?”
Maybe we should look at this now for Northwest Highway. We could run it from Central to Harry Hines.
This tunnel was a good idea, even though it “creeped out” Jane Wigginton, who still lives at 3635 Mockingbird Lane.
