WELCOME US 83 Public Meeting From north of the Starr/Zapata County Line to Loma Blanca Road Thursday, June 8, 2017 Roma Middle School Lecture Hall Open House: 5 6 p.m. Presentation and Public Comment: 6 p.m. Why am I here? Learn about the proposed project Provide comments on the proposed project
Project Purpose and Need What problems are we trying to address? Significant increase in heavy truck traffic Upgrades needed as this corridor is part of the Texas Trunk System* What are we trying to do? Improve capacity Upgrade facility to meet the Texas Trunk System Maintain access to communities * A rural network of four-lane or better divided roadways that will serve as a principal connector of all Texas cities with over 20,000 population as well as major ports and points of entry, not to exceed total mileage of 11,500 miles.
Project Scope Proposed four-lane divided rural highway Proposed highway will be built within proposed 300-foot right of way (ROW) Construct bridges at FEMA flood zones Future major intersection at FM 2098 with turnarounds and proposed 450-foot ROW Crossovers at approximate quarter mile intervals
Project Limits US 83 N Project Start: 0.255 miles north of Starr/Zapata county line Project End: 0.09 miles north of Loma Blanca Road Total Length: 10.5 miles Project will be completed in two segments: Segment 1: 0.255 miles north of Starr/Zapata county line to 0.31 miles north of FM 2098 Segment 2: 0.31 miles south of Placido Road to 0.09 miles north of Loma Blanca Road
Preliminary Project Schedule * US 83 Ongoing Public Involvement Schematic Environmental Clearance Final Design Acquire ROW Spring 2019 Letting Begin Construction Summer 2017 Fall 2017 Fall 2018 Utilities Spring 2021 Spring 2021 Summer 2021 * This project schedule and dates are preliminary and subject to change. 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 Dec. 16, 2014, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
US 83 Existing Typical Section Two-Lane Segment 100'-280' existing ROW 50' overall width of existing roadway typical sections: Two 11' outside shoulder Two 12' vehicle travel lane 4' buffer
US 83 Existing Typical Section Five-Lane Segment 100'-280' existing ROW 80' overall width of existing roadway typical sections: Two 8' outside shoulder Four 12' vehicle travel lane 16' continuous left turn lane
US 83 Proposed Typical Section Four-Lane Continuous 130' 160' existing ROW 84' typical section: Two 10' outside shoulder Four 12' vehicle travel lane 16' continuous left turn lane
US 83 Proposed Typical Section Rural Four-Lane Divided 300' proposed ROW 38' overall width of new roadway typical sections 4' inside shoulder Two 12' vehicle travel lane 10' outside shoulder With a 63' 88' grassy median
US 83 Proposed Typical Section Major Intersections 450' proposed ROW at proposed major intersections 38' overall width of new roadway typical sections Southbound and northbound direction: 4' inside shoulder Two 12' vehicle travel lane 10' outside shoulder With a 163' 188' grassy median
How Can I Make Comments? Mail or drop off written comments to: TxDOT Pharr District Office Attn: US 83 600 W. Interstate 2 Pharr, TX 78577 Submit a written comment form tonight Fax comments to (956) 702-6110 Email comments to Robin.Gelston@txdot.gov Visit www.txdot.gov and search US 83 from Starr-Zapata County Line to view information and provide comments Comments must be received or postmarked by Friday, June 23, 2017
Next Steps Compile and consider community input from tonight s public meeting and during commenting period Finalize project design details Prepare and finalize environmental documentation