FALSE ALARM! Oh well, it's good to let them know we're still out here.
TO: hou-piowebmail@txdot.gov
Dear TxDOT,
Thank you for having the public meeting tonight at the Berry Center, Cypress, Texas.
I learned that the bicycle improvements listed in the original FEIS for the Hempstead Highway Corridor will be discussed in the future, and were not a part of tonight's meeting, which focused solely on US290.
The bicycling, alternative transportation, and sustainability communities in Houston are very interested in the bicycle pathway planned for Hempstead, therefore we will be at the future meeting, whenever that is.
Thank you very much.
Peter Wang
League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor #1420
Date: 12/13/12
Texas Transportation Code SS201.811(a)(5) DISCLAIMER: I am not employed by TXDOT, I do not do business with TXDOT, and I will not benefit monetarily from the TXDOT project upon which I am commenting.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS
US 290 CORRIDOR
FM 2920 to IH 610, Harris County, Texas
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in association with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), will conduct two Public Meetings to discuss a proposed interim design phase project for approved transportation improvements for the US 290 Corridor in Harris County, Texas. Two meetings are being held in order to accommodate the length of the corridor and those persons who would be interested in attending. The same material will be presented at both meetings.
The US 290 Corridor project extends from Farm-to-Market (FM) 2920 to Interstate Highway (IH) 610 in Harris County, Texas. The proposed interim design phase project includes: 1) additional general-purpose lanes on US 290 and reconstruction of US 290 frontage roads, which were included as part of the Selected Alternative approved in the Record of Decision (ROD) (August 25, 2010) for the US 290 Corridor Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) (March 2010), and 2) the addition of an interim reversible managed lane/toll facility in the center of US 290 from the future Grand Parkway (SH 99) to IH 610. The proposed interim design phase project was developed to improve mobility in the corridor
in the near future, as there is a lack of funding to construct the entire Selected Alternative at this time. The Harris County Toll Road Authority would partner with TxDOT to fund construction of the interim design, and would operate and maintain the reversible managed lane/toll facility. Minimal right-of-way would be required to incorporate the interim design phase project on US 290.
An Open House will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to allow for questions and review of project exhibits. TxDOT staff will be available to answer questions during the Open House. A Formal Presentation will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m., followed by a public comment period. The Public Meetings will be held at these locations:
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Sheraton Brookhollow
3000 North Loop West
Houston, Texas 77092
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Berry Center
8877 Barker Cypress Road
Cypress, Texas 77433
The purpose of these Public Meetings is to discuss the proposed interim design, which would incorporate a reversible managed lane (toll) facility on US 290 from SH 99 to IH 610. The US 290 managed lane facility is expected to be in operation until the Hempstead Tollway portion of the Selected Alternative (identified in the ROD for the US 290 Corridor project) is constructed. FHWA and TxDOT are preparing an FEIS Re-evaluation to assess the potential impacts of the proposed interim design.
Attendees are encouraged to view the displays and ask questions before the Formal Presentation. Representatives from TxDOT will be available to answer questions and provide information. The Formal Presentation will discuss the proposed interim project and the issues that will be evaluated in the FEIS Re-evaluation.
These Public Meetings are being held in order to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the proposed interim design for the US 290 Corridor project. All interested persons are invited to attend this meeting to either speak or submit their comments in writing. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or persons interested in attending the meetings who have special communication needs are encouraged to contact the TxDOT Houston District Public Information Officer at (713) 802-5072.
The Public Meetings will be conducted in English. Any requests for language interpreters or other special communication needs should be made at least two (2) days prior to the Public Meetings. TxDOT will make every reasonable effort to accommodate these needs.
Written and verbal comments from the public regarding the proposed interim design may be presented at the Public Meetings. Written comments will also be accepted via mail or email through January 2, 2013. Written comments may be mailed to TxDOT Houston District, Attention: Director of Project Development, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, TX 77251-1386. Comments will be accepted by e-mail at: www.HOU-PIOWebmail@txdot.gov. Written comments submitted after the Public Meetings must be emailed or postmarked on or before Wednesday, January 2, 2013 to be included in the Public Meetings record.
A digital version of the FEIS, ROD, and engineering schematics of the Selected Alternative and proposed interim design may be viewed and downloaded from the US 290 Program website at www.my290.com. These items are also available for viewing at the US 290 Program Office located at Brookhollow Central III, 2950 North Loop West, Suite 1150, Houston, TX 77092 (713-354-1500). The US 290 Program Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding
federal holidays. Copies are available for the cost of reproduction. Additional information about the project may be obtained by contacting the US 290 Program Office at (713) 354-1500.
