Aaron Nathan, with Kimley-Horn, made a presentation outlining the commissioners' goals for the plan and explaining its purpose.
"The thoroughfare plan provides a roadmap for future transportation," said Nathan. "It's the first thoroughfare plan, but it certainly won't be the last."
He said that according to data provided by the North Central Council of Governments, the county's population in 2000 was 47,638, and the projected population for 2030 is 102,449. He said employment is also projected to double by that time.
"If the roadways remain the same, would the roadways be able to support that many people? Probably not," said Nathan.
County engineer Chad Davis explained that it is a living document, and it will change as the county grows and changes. He also said that the focus of this plan is county roads, not state-maintained roads.
After a short presentation, the citizens present were allowed to give suggestions, pinpoint trouble areas and ask questions. Topics discussed in the meeting included a loop around any or all of the cities and specifically around the southern part of Decatur, a Thompson Street overpass to relieve traffic to and from schools, and traffic on Farm Road 51 South and County Road 4191 in Decatur near the location of the elementary school that is to be built in the area.
Citizens also expressed safety concerns about the portion of FM 51 south of Texas 114. Several options for building or expanding existing roads to connect FM 51 and Farm Road 730 were also discussed.
Davis reminded citizens that this document will simply be a plan and that completing the projects depends on funding. He reassured them that the county did want to make improvements, though and plan properly for the future.
"You know that movie, 'Field of Dreams,' and 'if you build it, they will come,'" he said. "Well, if you remember at the end of that movie there was a line of headlights as they were all trying to get there, and we don't want that to happen."
Nathan said they will present a preliminary plan to commissioners in April, a final plan in May and will hopefully have a plan adopted in June.
