Staff of the City of Fort Worth and the City of Benbrook have drafted an inter-local agreement to define the parameters of a bridge to provide access to emergency vehicles crossing the Clear Fork Trinity River just north of the I820 overpass. The parameters include requirements that the bridge have a single lane, be gated at each entrance, and be kept closed and locked except when in use by emergency vehicles. It limits Benbrook’s ability to construct additional structures in the TXDOT right of way and includes a means of revocation if there is unpermitted access.

 

The draft agreement can be found here:  http://www.benbrook-tx.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/3646?fileID=3066

 

Of course, the preference is that no bridge would be built. However, there is nothing to prevent the City of Benbrook from constructing a bridge within its jurisdiction. To address the concerns of adjacent neighborhoods in both Benbrook and Fort Worth, the city governments have worked to develop an agreement that allows emergency vehicles access to the northeast section of Benbrook while protecting neighborhoods from increased traffic.

 

Representatives of Bellaire Park North and Meadows West have had numerous meetings with Fort Worth District 3 City Council Representative, Brian Byrd, and Fort Worth Assistant City Manager, Jay Chapa, on this issue.

 

This agreement is scheduled to be considered by the Benbrook City Council on Thursday, April 5 and the Fort Worth City Council on Tuesday, May 1. If you would like to voice your opinion at these meeting you may do so in accordance with their respective procedures. Fort Worth Procedures