STATE HIGHWAY 360 PUBLIC HEARING Thursday, October 17, 2013 FROM: E. SUBLETT ROAD/ W. CAMP WISDOM ROAD TO: US 287 TIMBERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL, ARLINGTON, TEXAS
Project Vicinity Proposed Project Length: Approximately 9.2 miles 2
Public Hearing Agenda Welcome & Introduction Loyl Bussell, P.E. Proposed Project Overview & Environmental Randy Redmond, P.E. Proposed Project Design Shane Walters, P.E. Right of Way Acquisition and Relocation Jeny Houdmann 20 Minutes Recess Public Comments Loyl Bussell, P.E. Adjournment Loyl Bussell, P.E. 3
Public Hearing Purpose 1. Inform the public of the proposed project status and present the build recommendation. 2. Describe the proposed project so that the public can determine how they may be affected. 3. Provide the public another opportunity to provide input. 4. To develop a record of public participation. 4
Public Comments Oral Comments Tonight: Please sign up at the registration desk to speak Mail Written Comments to: Texas Department of Transportation ATTN: Sonja Land Strategic Project Division Environmental Coordinator 4777 East Highway 80 Mesquite, Texas 75150 Written Comments must be postmarked on or before Monday, October 28 th, 2013 5
Prior Public Involvement Bi-monthly stakeholder meetings 21 technical work group meetings Town Hall meeting on April 29, 2010 held by Texas State Representative Paula Pierson Public Meeting on June 24, 2010 at Mansfield City Hall TxDOT recently met with city staff members to update on project progress including interim project plans Mansfield resolution supporting project on September 23, 2013 6
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA Process) The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process was followed for the proposed project. The Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared for the proposed project is based on the proposed design that is being presented tonight. The Environmental Assessment evaluated impacts associated with the proposed project including tolls, air quality, noise, water quality, vegetation, archeology, and historical properties. 7
NEPA Specifics Approximately 6 acres of additional right of way are required. Required for the purpose of transitioning cross streets to tie to existing roadways. Approximately 0.52 acres of the 6 acres are to accommodate drainage modifications. No Residential, Commercial or Public structures will be displaced. 14 Individual Crossings of Potential Waters of the U.S./Wetlands are anticipated to be impacted. 4 crossings would require a Pre-Construction Notification to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 3 crossings would require Individual Permits to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 8
NEPA Specifics Habitat Type Permanent Impact (acres) Crops 123.8 Unmaintained Herbaceous Vegetation 207.2 Maintained Herbaceous Vegetation 58.8 Fenceline Vegetation 1.0 Upland Woodlands 69.0 Riparian Vegetation 7.4 Bottomland Hardwoods 15.3 Mitigation for the loss of riparian habitat is proposed and will be determined based on coordination between TxDOT and the TPWD. 9
NEPA Specifics Traffic noise abatement measures were evaluated Noise abatement measures were evaluated including: Traffic management Alternation of horizontal and vertical alignments Acquiring undeveloped property to act as a buffer zone Construction of noise barriers Based on the analysis, one noise barrier was determined to be feasible for one residential development south Webb Lynn Road. 10
Proposed Project Location Proposed Project Length: Approximately 9.2 miles N 11
Existing Facility SB Frontage SH 360 (Usual) NB Frontage SB Mainlane US 287 (Usual) NB Mainlane 12
Proposed Ultimate Facility SH 360 Ultimate from West Camp Wisdom Rd / Sublett Rd to Debbie Ln SH 360 Ultimate from Debbie Ln to US 287 US 287 Ultimate 13
Tolling Fully electronic Toll Collection Systems No physical toll booths to stop and pay with cash. Toll Collection System would be interoperable with other systems in the state TxDOT TxTag, North Texas Toll Authority Tag and Houston Area EZ Tag would be accepted. 14
Tolling Toll rates would be determined prior to opening. The Environmental Assessment presents a range of anticipated toll rates and total cost to users. For example, assuming average toll rate of $0.16 per mile typical user would pay approximately $1.47 per one-way trip. Toll rates and costs would vary and may be higher. 15
Proposed Project Implementation Phasing Estimated cost of the proposed ultimate improvements shown tonight is approximately $625 million Eight lane tollway from E. Sublett/W. Camp Wisdom to Broad St. and six lane tollway from Broad St. to US 287 The proposed implementation of the project would be phased due to funding constraints The proposed interim improvements include a four lane tollway from E. Sublett/Camp Wisdom to Broad St. and a one mainlane per direction tollway with an alternating direction passing lane from Broad St. to US 287. 16
3D Visualization of Proposed Ultimate Improvements 17
Public Need for Private Property US Constitution (Fifth Amendment) protects individual rights to own property. Fifth Amendment to the Constitution establishes the Laws of Eminent Domain. Eminent Domain Law applies only to projects with a demonstrated public need. Advanced planning identifies a need and through public involvement and local coordination, compelling support for the project is established. 18
Equal Treatment Policy It is the policy of The Texas Department of Transportation that individuals impacted by transportation systems expansion shall not be denied benefits, excluded from participation or otherwise be subjected to discrimination based on the grounds of race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin. 19
Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970 Law passed in 1970 that was designed to ensure that anyone who owned property needed for a public purpose would be treated fairly. The law establishes guidelines for the acquisition of property and the relocation of displaced individuals and businesses. 20
Right of Way TxDOT enters into agreements with many companies in order to facilitate the proposed project activities such as: Surveying Mapping Acquisition Appraisers Title Companies Utility Adjustments 21
Right of Way The rules are the same for all property owners. The protection of property owner rights are very important to TxDOT. We make sure property owners are well advised. The contractors and sub-contractors must follow all procedures, policies and specifications. TxDOT manages and oversees all right of way activities and utility adjustments. 22
Acquisition of Property Property owner must be notified in writing of the need for his/her property. An independent appraiser would be hired to do a detailed appraisal of the property. Appraiser must have experience in appraising properties similar to the subject property. Property owner must be given the opportunity to accompany the appraiser when the property is inspected. Appraisal report must be reviewed by another appraiser who would certify that uniform standards of appraisal practice were used in determining value. 23
Acquisition of Property A written offer to the property owner would be made based on the value determined in the appraisal. Property owner would be given a minimum of 30 days to consider the offer. If the offer would be acceptable, a closing at a title company is arranged. Administrative Settlement Process The property owner has an opportunity to make a counter offer that spells out the justification and support for an increase over the approved value. If the property owner considers the offer unacceptable, the options available to the landowner under the laws of eminent domain would be explained. 24
Project Specifics Displacements and Relocations No displacements of residences, businesses, or public facilities. It is anticipated that small portions of 31 parcels along the corridor would need to be acquired. Denial of access requirements near proposed entrance/exit ramps. Project Timing/Schedule (Contingent upon availability of construction funds) Proposed Interim Design 2018 Proposed Ultimate Design 2035 25
Right Of Way Acquisition Process Right of Way Brochures Available on the TxDOT website: http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/forms-publications/consultantscontractors/forms/row.html Available at TxDOT Fort Worth and Dallas District Offices Several copies available tonight 26
Utility Adjustment Utility companies would be contacted soon. Public records would be reviewed. On the ground inspections may begin in the coming months. Utility adjustments would commence once the right of way has been acquired and utility agreements are signed. 27
Public Inquires Environmental Documents and Schematics can be viewed at: TxDOT Fort Worth District 2501 S.W. Loop 820 Fort Worth, Texas 76133 TxDOT Dallas District 4777 East Highway 80 Mesquite, Texas 75150 And online at: http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/fort-worth/sh- 360.html 28
Recess 20-Minute Recess Please register your attendance and sign up to speak at the front desk. Public Comment Period following recess 29
Public Comment Period Please note that we will not attempt to respond to your statements at this time. Please state your full name and address for the record. 30
Public Comments Speaker s Time: 3 MINUTES Please state your name and address for the record. 31
Public Comments Oral and written statements received will be carefully analyzed. After review of transcript and addressing concerns, the environmental approval is anticipated. Once approval is received, utility relocation may begin. Construction can begin after detailed plans are completed and utilities relocated. Mail Written Comments to: Texas Department of Transportation ATTN: Sonja Land Strategic Project Division Environmental Coordinator 4777 East Highway 80 Mesquite, Texas 75150 Written Comments must be postmarked by Monday, October 28 th, 2013 32
PUBLIC HEARING STATE HIGHWAY 360 FROM: E. SUBLETT ROAD/ W. CAMP WISDOM ROAD TO: US 287 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 TH 2013 Timberview High School Arlington, Texas