Engineering Department Steve Rogers, City Engineer

The Engineering Department provides engineering, planning, and technical services for other City of Terrell departments. Engineering responsibilities include:

• Mapping
  • GIS maps online
• Address assignment 
• Planning & development, public improvements
  • Technical Construction Standards and Specifications
• Project management
• Line Locate Form
• Streets
• Street improvements 
• Traffic safety
• Report a pothole location form
• Report a street sign problem form
• Report a street light outage
• Street Light Request Form
• Floodplain administration
• Report A Location Of A Mosquito Problem
• Municipal airport

The department maintains maps and plats of subdivisions within the city. Detailed maps of the city's 100+ miles of water and sewer lines, water and sewer utility easement information*, and FEMA flood plan maps are on file. City street maps are also available from the department office.

The City of Terrell GIS Maps online includes a zoning map, thoroughfare map, future land use map, sanitary sewer map, and a 2007 water system map.

* Call DIG TESS at 1-800-DIG-TESS (1-800-344-8377), for location of TXU Electric, Atmos Energy (formally known as TXU Gas), Cebridge Cable and Southwestern Bell Telephone lines

Address Assignment

The Engineering Department works in cooperation with the Fire Chief to assign addresses to new homes and businesses in the city and reassign addresses to meet 911 standards.

Planning & Development

Engineering maintains subdivision plats and records.

The office also provides permits for excavation and some types of improvements within public right-of-way. An excavation permit is needed to dig in city streets, sidewalks, alleys, or public places. Emergency repairs to utilities may proceed without a permit, however, the department must be notified within 24 hours. Replacement or improvement of existing driveways and sidewalks or new work not covered by a building permit requires a permit for work within the public right-of-way.

Annexation petitions are also available from the Engineering Department office. The City of Terrell will consider the annexation of any property eligible under state statutes. Contact the Engineering office for information on annexation.

Technical Construction Standards and Specifications (pdf format)

Project Management

City of Terrell capital project services are provided by the Engineering Department. Engineering provides construction management including planning, design, and inspection services for capital projects constructed in the right-of-way. The department reviews plans for utilities in large public and commercial developments,  prepares bidding and contract documents, estimates materials, devises work specifications, and conducts measurement and payment calculations for streets and drainage, water and sewer operations.

Streets

Improvements:  The department schedules street improvements annually based on need and available resources. Improvements include resurfacing, widening, and other major improvements not included in the normal street maintenance program. Contact the department office for a list of streets currently scheduled for improvements. (The Public Works Department handles pavement repairs.)

Traffic Safety: The Engineering Department performs traffic studies, reviews motor vehicle accident reports, maintains records, conducts traffic counts, and makes recommendations to City Administration and/or TXDoT (Texas Department of Transportation).

Citizen requests for new traffic control devices (traffic signals, traffic signs) are investigated. The department conducts studies and plans layouts for new devices when justified. To make a request, contact the office during regular business hours. Please note: traffic signals on state numbered routes are maintained by TXDoT. Report signal light malfunctions or other problems by calling 972-962-3848 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. After business hours,  please report problems to the police services 972-551-6622.

The Engineering Department investigates visibility problems on the public right-of-way. Large bushes, trees, fences, or other obstacles placed too close to the right-of-way can create safety hazards by interfering with visibility at intersections or along city streets. Drivers are encouraged to report such visibility problems to the  Engineering office. We will determine if the obstruction can be trimmed or removed for safer driving conditions. 

The department also looks into residents' requests for a street light. To request a streetlight, call the office. Be ready to provide details on the location and the reasons you think a streetlight is needed.  Please Note: To report a defective streetlight, call 972-551-6601 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Report a pothole location form

Floodplain Administration

Contact the Engineering Department for information about floodplain, flood hazards, flood protection, and flood proofing. (Copies of local, state, and federal publications on these topics are also available at the Terrell Public Library.) The department provides site plan review services and some site visits for floodplain assessment.

To determine if a particular property within the city limits lies in a flood hazard area, visit the Engineering office during regular office hours or call the City Engineer at 972-551-6607. If you are unable to call during business hours, leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

FEMA flood insurance rate maps, a guide to flood insurance rate maps and brochures on a variety of floodplain related topics are also available from the Engineering Department. 

Airport

Engineering serves as airport development and maintenance liaison between the Airport Board, the fixed base operator (FBO), and City staff. The department conducts bi-weekly airport safety inspections on lights and beacons, maintains airport safety apparatus, keeps airport property records, and provides a representative for TXDoT/Aviation Division maintenance projects.