Disputes between Duncanville and residents continue over I-20 project

by Danielle Parker of Duncanville TODAY

The city of Duncanville met with residents Oct. 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn to receive input on revisions made to Intestate 20 frontage road projects originally presented July 24 by the Texas Department of Transportation.

The proposed resolution was to approve the entire alignment of the service roads from city limit to city limit along I-20, construct service roads from Main Street east to Cockrell Hill Road and use the remainder of the funds that would have been used on westbound projects on three bottleneck projects.

While the items being tabled consisted of several different projects, the main focus of the evening, once again, came back to District 5, as this group was the most vocal.

“If we seem angry, it is because we are,” District 5 Councilmember Johnette Jameson said. “This is our third meeting where nothing has been accomplished, and we are tired of it.”

The concern was the I-20 alignment involved Main Street west to Cedar Ridge, which directly affects several residences. Although construction of these service roads had yet to be proposed, residents took issue with the proposal involving their neighborhoods.

“Why is Cedar Ridge still on the proposal?” resident Allen Manga said. “You have said these (westbound) service roads cannot be built in this lifetime. So why is it still listed as a project? Everyone here seems to be opposed to it, but you are still pushing it.”

Mayor David Green said that the main purpose behind the service roads was to protect citizens.

“Hazardous waste is hauled up and down I-20,” he said. “In the case of an accident where traffic is backed up, trucks are forced to go through our neighborhoods and city streets and we just don't want that.”

Jerry Peoples, a retired truck driver and Duncanville resident ,argued that these projects would not do anything but cause more confusion.

“I drove 18-wheelers five days a week up and down I-20; that was my territory,” Peoples said. “I can tell you what happens on I-20, and I can assure you that you want it to stay there. What they've got now works.

“If we are not going to do this project, we don't need this hanging over our heads,” Peoples said. “Take this plan and give us something we can all feel good about.”

Yvonne Davis, who was present at the July 24 meeting, was unable to attend this meeting. However, she was sure her voice was made known through a letter given to all who attended.

“I strongly believe that our tax dollars should not be used on projects that citizens do no want,” she said. “Note that my position on this important issue has not changed. You can be certain, I will continue to monitor and provide input in this matter.”

Several citizens commented that the public's voice was not being heeded, but City Manager Kent Cagle explained that changes had been made and the council was listening.

“After the first meeting, TxDOT made a tremendous amount of improvements, and once again in July they did the same thing,” Cagle said. “People are being heard; maybe not the extent that they want, but people are having an impact.”

Disorder broke out as residents booed and jeered council members and city staff that defended the service road projects. The council itself also bickered back and forth among one another.

As the situation calmed, At-large Councilmember Dorothy Burton shared her views.

“The council originally voted 6-1 not in favor of building the service roads, but to give TxDOT the opportunity to conduct an environmental study,” Burton said. “I am not and have never been in favor of taking someone's front or back yards. I have not wavered on this issue one bit, and I do not plan to waiver. There has been an internal struggle on this matter, but it all comes down to this - it is up to us as a council to do what is right for the people of the city.”

TxDOT has said they would not proceed with I-20 service road projects without full support from the council.

No action was taken that evening.