Tag: TxDot

TxDOT in Tarrant County: Southeast Connector Project

~ Luke Ellis ~ Leave a comment

TxDOT is working on a major roadway project in Tarrant County. The Southeast Connector project will reconstruct and widen I-20, I-820 and US 287, including the three major interchanges for each highway. The project will also include the creation of bicycle/pedestrian accommodations including shared-use paths and sidewalks along frontage roads and at cross-street intersections.  The total project length is 16 miles. The Southeast Connector project will require approximately 22 acres of right-of-way. TxDOT predicts that this could result in 23 residential displacements and 19 commercial displacements. The Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and the final environmental assessment were made available for public review in September 2020. The next steps for the project will be right-of-way acquisition.

Map of the project from TxDOT study

TxDOT in Dallas County: I-35 East (Phase II)

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Since the late 1990s, TxDOT has been planning the improvement of the I-35E corridor in Dallas and Denton counties. In 2018, the first phase of the I-35E project was completed. Now, TxDOT is looking to complete the I-35E project with Phase II. These improvements are a part of a statewide strategic plan, the Texas Clear Lanes project, which aims to provide congestion relief in the five largest metro areas in the state.

The I-35E Phase II project will impact the segment of I-35E from I-635 to the Denton County line. The Phase II project will reconstruct and widen the road from six to eight lanes. Additionally, the project will improve intersections and reconstruct the two existing managed toll lanes. According to a project fact sheet, the project has $75 million allocated to acquiring Right of Way (ROW). TxDOT anticipates that construction on the project will begin in late 2021, but before then, it is likely that TxDOT will need to acquire additional ROW from Dallas County landowners.

TxDOT in Hidalgo County: Nolana Loop

~ Luke Ellis ~ 2 Comments

TxDOT and Hidalgo County are working together to make improvements to Nolana Loop in order to improve mobility and accommodate current and future traffic flow. Improvements will be made to the stretch of Nolana Loop that spans from FM 1426 (Raul Longoria Road) to FM 88 (Texas Avenue). The project is 9.8 miles and will widen, reconstruct, and extend the roadway.

In August 2020, the Final Environmental Assessment and the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) were made available for public review. The next step for the project is the acquisition of approximately 82.6 acres of Right of Way (ROW), which is anticipated to force the relocation of several residences and one commercial structure. Once ROW is acquired, the project will begin construction.

TxDOT in Fort Bend County: FM 723 Improvements

~ Luke Ellis ~ Leave a comment

In response to growth in Fort Bend County and in order to meet current design standards, TxDOT is preparing to widen FM 723. The project is 9.23 miles long and stretches from Avenue D to FM 1093. The proposed plans will transform FM 723 from a two lane road to a four lane road. The project requires TxDOT to acquire approximately 100 acres of Right-of-Way (ROW). As of fall 2020, TxDOT has been in the process of acquiring ROW and conducting appraisals on impacted properties. Once ROW is acquired, construction will begin.

A map of project area from a 2018 TxDOT public hearing

TxDOT in Denton County: SL 288

~ Luke Ellis ~ Leave a comment

TxDOT is preparing for future population growth in Denton County with their most recent plans to improve State Loop 288. The project extends 9 miles from IH 35 W to IH 35.  The final product of the SL 288 improvements will be a newly located, four-lane frontage road system. Improvements will be completed in two phases. Phase one includes the construction of one frontage road which will be a two-lane, two way street. Phase one also includes securing right of way and constructing a sidewalk and median. In Phase two, there will be construction of another two lane frontage road, and both two-lane frontage roads will become one-way frontage roads. In August 2020, the project’s Final Environmental Assessment was issued by TxDOT for public review. The next step for the project is the acquisition of approximately 414.7 acres of Right of Way.

TxDOT in Denton County: FM 2931

~ Luke Ellis ~ Leave a comment

In response to safety concerns and worsening traffic conditions, TxDOT is planning to widen FM 2931 in Denton. The project is approximately 6.37 miles and will span from US 380 (East University Drive) to FM 428 (Spring Hill Road). The first phase of the project will transform the 2-lane road into a 4-lane, urban roadway and will include the construction of a 42-foot-wide raised median. Phase two will transform FM 2931 into a 6-lane roadway and will add a 3rd lane in each direction. 

Approximately 46 acres of new ROW would be required to accommodate the proposed improvements. TxDOT is scheduled to begin Right-of-Way acquisitions in Fall 2021. Before ROW acquisitions can occur, however, TxDOT must still prepare a preliminary design and receive environmental clearance.

TxDOT in Houston: I-45 Improvement Project

~ Luke Ellis ~ Leave a comment

The City of Houston is preparing for one of the biggest infrastructure projects in a generation. The project is called the North Houston Improvement Project (NHHIP) and it will reconstruct I-45 from Beltway 8 to Downtown. TxDOT’s goals for the project are to manage congestion, enhance safety and accommodate future growth.

NHHIP is 24 miles in length and will be separated into three segments. Segment 1 will include the widening of the freeway and additional new lanes from IH-610 N Loop and North Sam Houston Tollway. Segment 2 will widen and add new lanes of the portion of I-45 from IH-610 to downtown Houston. Segment 2 will also include a rebuild of the interchange between IH-45 and the IH-610 North Loop. Lastly, Segment 3 includes improvements to the segment of I-45 surrounding downtown Houston. Segment 3 includes the most expensive and all-encompassing improvements, as the entire 12 mile stretch of highway will be rebuilt (including four major interchanges).

The project in its entirety will take over ten years to complete. However, regional planning documents anticipate construction on Segment 3 beginning within the next two years. Segments 1 and 2 will begin construction in five to ten years. TxDOT is currently preparing the Final Environmental Impact Statement, which the public will have the chance to review for 30 days. Following the review period, TxDOT will reach a record of decision and start acquiring Right-of-Way before finally beginning construction.

TxDOT in Williamson County: Updates on Expansion of US 79 in Round Rock

~ Luke Ellis ~ Leave a comment

TxDOT is working on a new project to make improvements to US 79 between I-35 and east of FM 1460 (A.W. Grimes), with the goals of improving traffic flow and increasing safety for travelers in Round Rock. The proposed project includes installing a raised median for safety and widening the existing US 79 roadway by adding a third travel lane in each direction. Additional improvements could potentially include building new overpasses at US 79/Mays Street and US 79/FM 1460, and altering the existing US 79/I-35 intersection.

TxDOT recently concluded the public comment phase on the Draft Environmental Assessment and the recommended build alternative. After taking those public comments into consideration, the next steps (according to the TxDOT project fact sheet) will likely be right of way acquisitions before utility relocation and finally, road construction.

Update: RM 620 Expansion near Lakeway

~ Luke Ellis ~ Leave a comment

The RM 620 expansion project near Lakeway, Texas is still on track despite some funding shifts. In June, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) voted to move construction funding for the RM 620 expansion to I-35. However, funding for the initial right-of-way expansion still remains and TxDot is going forward with right-of-way acquisitions. TxDot appraisers will be inspecting impacted properties in Fall 2020. Before construction can begin, TxDot must still complete the final schematic and obtain approval of the final environmental study.

San Antonio Road Funds

~ Luke Ellis ~ Leave a comment

In May of 2017, the voters of San Antonio approved the six propositions of the $850 million bonds offered by San Antonio. The bonds will be used to invest in the infrastructure of the city, such as sidewalks, parks, drainage improvements, and roads. One of the projects will include improvements to the Broadway corridor, renovating the Hemisfair street grid, as well as some pedestrian bridges near Hardberger Park. The Hemisfair Park Streets projects will reconstruct Hemisfair boulevard and is expected to begin construction in June of 2019. Broadway Street Corridor is also expected to undergo improvements thanks to the approved bonds, with construction beginning in December of 2018.

South Bexar County will also benefit from the city’s approved bonds. Highland Oaks roads will undergo significant construction improvements. Eight streets will be constructed. They will have 12-foot lanes, with 4-foot paved shoulders. The engineer for the project predicts that the road construction project should be completed by fall of 2019.