The hearing will be held on February 6, 2018 at La Marque High School, 397 Duroux Road, La Marque, Texas 77568. Displays available at 5:30 p.m. with formal hearing starting at 6:30 p.m. Purpose: present planned improvements, receive public comment.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is proposing to reconstruct and widen IH 45 from FM 1764 to north of the Galveston Causeway Bridge in Galveston County, Texas. This project is being executed by the State of Texas, not the City of La Marque. City leadership is working closely with TxDOT, however, and will continue to provide updates as soon as they become available. Information, maps, updates, and TxDOT contact information area available at 45.cityoflamarque.org.
Notice Public Hearing
Interstate Highway (IH) 45 From Farm-to-Market (FM) 1764 to north of the Galveston Causeway Bridge
CSJs: 0500-04-103, 0500-04-104, 0500-04-105, and 0500-01-107
Galveston County, Texas
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), is proposing to reconstruct and widen IH 45 from FM 1764 to north of the Galveston Causeway Bridge in Galveston County, Texas. This notice advises the public that TxDOT will be conducting a public hearing on the proposed project. The hearing will be held on February 6, 2018 at La Marque High School, 397 Duroux Road, La Marque, Texas 77568. Displays will be available for viewing at 5:30 p.m. with the formal hearing starting at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to present the planned improvements and to receive public comment on the proposed project.
The proposed project from FM 1764 to north of the Galveston Causeway Bridge would consist of reconstructing and widening IH 45 from a six-lane interstate to an eight-lane interstate. Additionally, frontage roads would be reconstructed with a minimum of four 12-foot lanes (2 in each direction), with bicycle accommodations. Five-foot wide sidewalks would be constructed where feasible. The typical right-of-way (ROW) width would be 300-feet. The total project length is approximately 10 miles.
The proposed project would require approximately 8.7 acres of additional ROW and would potentially displace three commercial properties. Information about the TxDOT Relocation Assistance Program, benefits and services for displacees, as well as information about the tentative schedules for ROW acquisition and construction can be obtained from the TxDOT district office at the address listed below. Relocation assistance is available for displaced persons and businesses.
The proposed project encroaches on the 100-year and 500-year floodplain, approximately 283 acres of the project area lies within the 100-year floodplain and 311 acres lie within the 500-year floodplain. The proposed project may impact 31 acres of wetlands, and 5,400 linear feet of waters of the U.S.
Draft environmental technical reports, maps showing the project location and design, anticipated construction schedules, and other information regarding the project are on file and are available for inspection Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays, at the TxDOT Houston District Office, located at 7600 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas 77007 and the TxDOT Galveston Area Office located at 5407 Gulf Freeway, La Marque, TX 77568. To schedule an appointment at the Houston District contact Mr. Chance Norman at (713) 802-5251 or at the Galveston Area office contact Mr. Jamal Elahi at (409) 978-2500. The project information can also be viewed online at TxDOT’s website:http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/houston/020618.html. This information will also be available for inspection at the hearing. Verbal and written comments regarding the project may be presented at the hearing, or submitted in person, by mail to the TxDOT Houston District Office, or via e-mail to hou-piowebmail@txdot.gov. Comments must be received on or before February 21, 2018 to be part of the official hearing record.
The hearing will be conducted in English. Persons attending the hearing who have special communication or accommodation needs, such as the need for an interpreter, are encouraged to contact the TxDOT District Public Information Officer at TxDOT (713) 802-5076. Requests should be made at least five days prior to the hearing. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate these needs.
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 16, 2014, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.