August 8 email update from Mike Coward (TxDot) regarding the status of relocating the entrance to the Zumwalt quarry:
“I want to update you on the latest on the relocation of Zumwalt’s entrance. Zumwalt has agreed to relocate entrance to line up with Lattimore. He will make all necessary improvements within his property and construct a new driveway. Txdot wil construct a deceleration lane into this new driveway and remove additional material on either side of new driveway to ensure adequate sight distance.. I have meet on site with Zumwalt and with our design staff. We are working to have our plans ready for bids in October. If all goes well, new entrance should be up and operating by end of the year. I will continue to send you periodic updates as we reach critical bench marks. If you have any questions, please let me know.”
Mike
The following is from a July 1 letter written by Mario G. Medina, District Engineer for the San Antonio Division of TxDOT. It is in reply to safety concerns voiced by residents of Ranchland Oaks regarding the location of the Zumwalt quarry driveway entrance on FM 1283:
“…my staff has met with Mr. Zumwalt regarding his quarry and your concerns.
As a result of this meeting, Zumwalt and TxDOT have agreed to work on a plan to relocate his entrance to a new location that would be across from the existing entrance into Lattimore Quarry. As a part of this project, deceleration lanes will be built on FM 1283 to allow for trucks to slow down and enter the driveway without impeding flow on FM 1283.
The timetable for this project is not currently known, but I have instructed my staff to begin efforts to prepare plans to make improvements on FM 283 to accommodate this new entrance immediately, and for them to continue their efforts to expedite Zumwalt’s relocation of his entrance. This will involve Zumwalt building additional roads within his ranch to accomodate this new entrance.
Additionally, I have asked Mr. Mike Coward to monitor and to report his progress to me on a regular basis, and I have asked him to keep you up to date as well.”