Ensure widening 740 is the only supported plan

The Issue

The proposed widening of Route 740 impacts communities in our region, and we stand at a crossroads. Implementing the widening of Route 740 alone is the necessary path forward. Any alternatives that suggest cut-throughs or diverging paths through neighborhoods like Stoneleigh, The Ridge, Falcon Pointe, and surrounding properties pose significant risks to community well-being and must be dismissed.

Current road conditions on Route 740 are not just a matter of convenience but of safety. The road has become heavily congested, increasing the likelihood of accidents and hindering emergency vehicle access. Data from recent traffic reports indicate a 20% increase in accidents over the past two years on this route, underscoring the urgent need for expansion as opposed to shortcuts through peaceful residential neighborhoods.

Alternative routes through neighborhoods threaten the essence of these communities, leading to increased noise, pollution, and lowered property values. Stoneleigh, The Ridge, and Falcon Pointe have been cultivated into areas where families feel safe and enjoy a good quality of life. Changing the traffic dynamics could destroy years of careful community planning. Studies show that neighborhoods with increased traffic see a dip in property values by up to 15%, which is a significant concern for our community.

We understand that growth requires adaptation, yet destroying established communities through hastily devised alternate routes is not the answer. Instead, let the focus remain on widening Route 740. This development path will foster improvement in safety and efficiency, protecting the tranquil lifestyle our neighborhoods cherish.

Join us in calling on regional transportation authorities to commit exclusively to Route 740's expansion. Your signature can help protect our communities from detrimental shortcuts. Please sign and share this petition to ensure our voices are heard and our neighborhoods preserved for generations to come.

371

The Issue

The proposed widening of Route 740 impacts communities in our region, and we stand at a crossroads. Implementing the widening of Route 740 alone is the necessary path forward. Any alternatives that suggest cut-throughs or diverging paths through neighborhoods like Stoneleigh, The Ridge, Falcon Pointe, and surrounding properties pose significant risks to community well-being and must be dismissed.

Current road conditions on Route 740 are not just a matter of convenience but of safety. The road has become heavily congested, increasing the likelihood of accidents and hindering emergency vehicle access. Data from recent traffic reports indicate a 20% increase in accidents over the past two years on this route, underscoring the urgent need for expansion as opposed to shortcuts through peaceful residential neighborhoods.

Alternative routes through neighborhoods threaten the essence of these communities, leading to increased noise, pollution, and lowered property values. Stoneleigh, The Ridge, and Falcon Pointe have been cultivated into areas where families feel safe and enjoy a good quality of life. Changing the traffic dynamics could destroy years of careful community planning. Studies show that neighborhoods with increased traffic see a dip in property values by up to 15%, which is a significant concern for our community.

We understand that growth requires adaptation, yet destroying established communities through hastily devised alternate routes is not the answer. Instead, let the focus remain on widening Route 740. This development path will foster improvement in safety and efficiency, protecting the tranquil lifestyle our neighborhoods cherish.

Join us in calling on regional transportation authorities to commit exclusively to Route 740's expansion. Your signature can help protect our communities from detrimental shortcuts. Please sign and share this petition to ensure our voices are heard and our neighborhoods preserved for generations to come.

The Decision Makers

Former Heath City Council
3 Members
1 Responded
Ryan Moorman
Former Heath City Council - Place 3
Thank you for reaching out and for providing the opportunity to respond. I appreciate the engagement from residents on this topic. Public input is important, and I understand the desire for clarity when it comes to the future of FM 740. I can’t speak for every member of Council, but I can speak for myself. I do not take positions on assumptions or concepts that have not been formally engineered, studied, and justified. I am not for or against any specific alignment or alternative at this time. My responsibility is to evaluate any potential project—whether widening, rerouting, or otherwise—based on verified data, safety considerations, engineering analysis, and long-term impact to the community. If and when a formally developed and engineered proposal is presented, I will review it thoroughly and take a clear position grounded in those factors. Until that point, committing to a specific outcome would be premature and not consistent with responsible decision-making. My approach remains consistent: decisions should follow data, engineering, and demonstrated need—not assumptions. I appreciate the community’s involvement and encourage residents to stay engaged as more formal information becomes available through the proper planning and engineering process. Ryan Moorman City Council, Place 3 | City of Heath
Mitchell Ownby
Former Heath City Council - Place 6
Scott Dodson
Former Heath City Council - Place 5
Heath City Council
3 Members
1 Responded
Michelle Thurgood
Heath City Council - Place 4
To my friends and neighbors, First and foremost, thank you. I genuinely appreciate the time, energy, and care that so many residents have invested in expressing your thoughts regarding FM 740. One of the most important parts of serving on City Council is understanding how our residents feel about issues that impact their homes, families, and daily lives. Your voices matter deeply to me, and opportunities like this help broaden my understanding of the community I was elected to represent. I want my voice on council to continue reflecting the voices of the citizens of Heath as accurately and responsibly as possible. With regard to FM 740 specifically, I want to be very clear: I am completely willing to support the widening of FM 740 along its current alignment. To my knowledge and understanding, no member of council is advocating for a wholesale realignment of the roadway. What I do believe is important is allowing the professional engineering process to remain intact so that engineers can fulfill the responsibilities required of them under state and federal law. Their job is to design improvements that meet applicable safety standards, drainage requirements, environmental regulations, and engineering guidelines while minimizing impacts to existing residents and surrounding property owners as much as possible. In practical terms, that means the goal remains improving FM 740 where it currently exists, while allowing engineers the flexibility necessary to address specific technical or safety concerns if they arise during the design process. I believe that approach best serves and protects the citizens of Heath both now and in the future. I remain committed to transparency, collaboration, and listening carefully to the residents I represent. Thank you again for making your voices heard and for continuing to engage in this important conversation Councilwoman Michelle Thurgood place 4
Cindy Horne
Heath City Council - Place 1
Johnny Myers
Heath City Council - Place 2
Jeremiah McClure
Former Heath City Mayor
Rockwall County Commission
4 Members
Lorne Liechty
Rockwall County Commission - Precinct 3
Bobby Gallana
Rockwall County Commission - Precinct 1
Dana Macalik
Rockwall County Commission - Precinct 2
Frank New
Rockwall County Judge

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Petition created on April 15, 2026