Si necesite respuestas a sus preguntas en el espanol, o necesite alguien traducir esta informacion, contacte Anikka Ayala-Rogers a aayala@dot.state.tx.us or llamela a (713) 354-1532.
OVERVIEW: The US 290 Corridor FEIS
The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed transportation improvements on the US 290/Hempstead Corridor was made available in April 2010. The wait period for the FEIS document was concluded in May 2010. TxDOT has begun the process of addressing all public comments submitted on the document, and once complete, will re-submit the document to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) prior to requesting final federal approval through a Record of Decision (ROD).
The proposed US 290 Program Corridor begins at the IH 610/US 290/IH 10 Interchange in Houston, TX and extends northwestward to Farm-to-Market (FM) 2920 near Waller, TX for a distance of approximately 38 miles. The proposed enhancements include roadway improvements along a portion of US 290, construction of the new Hempstead Tollway and associated connections to IH 610 and IH 10 in Harris County.
LOCATE: Where to find the US 290 Corridor FEIS & associated materials
ONLINE
US 290 Corridor FEIS: Executive Summary
PDF file
FEIS Executive Summary
US 290 Corridor FEIS: Full Report
PDF file
Full FEIS Report
US 290 FEIS Map Drawings
Maps
TxDOT OFFICES & OTHER LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CORRIDOR
Both electronic copies and paper copies of the FEIS may be obtained by contacting the Texas Department of Transportation Houston District at 713-802-5243. Please note that all requests for paper copies will incur a cost for reproduction. Hard copies of the FEIS may also be viewed at the following locations:
- TxDOT District Office, 7600 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007
- TxDOT Area Office, 14838 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77040
- US 290 Program Office, 2950 North Loop West Suite 1150, Houston, TX 77092
- Spring Branch Library, 930 Corbindale, Houston, TX 77027
- Fairbanks Library, 7122 North Gessner Road, Houston, TX 77040
- Cy-Fair Library, 9191 Barker Cypress, Cypress, TX 77433
- Collier Regional Library, 6200 Pinemont Drive, Houston, TX 77092
- Hillendahl Library, 2436 Gessner Road, Houston, TX 77080
- M. Smith Memorial Library, 2103 Main Street, Waller, TX 77484
- Northwest Library, 11355 Regency Green Drive, Cypress, TX 77429
- Hockley Community Center, 28515 Old Washington Road, Hockley, TX 77447
- Houston Library Central Branch, 500 McKinney, Houston, TX 77002.
UNDERSTANDING: Why the FEIS is important to you…
Why was the FEIS prepared?
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision-making process by considering the environmental impacts of their proposed actions and reasonable alternatives to those actions. To meet this requirement, agencies prepare a detailed statement known as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Distribution of a draft EIS for public and agency review is a step of the overall EIS process.
Following the requirements of NEPA, the FHWA, in coordination with TxDOT, prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to assess the potential effects (impacts) of the proposed project. After receiving public comments, both oral and written, through the DEIS public hearing process, this Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was prepared. The FEIS details the process through which the project was developed, provides a detailed description of the proposed project, the need for and purpose of the proposed project, the reasonable alternatives identified, the affected environment and the analysis of the anticipated benefit and adverse environmental effects.
The public and other agencies were provided the opportunity to comment on the FEIS document during the FEIS wait period, which began in April 2010 and was concluded in May 2010. The FHWA and TxDOT will consider input from the public before issuing a Record of Decision, (ROD). The ROD is a major milestone of the environmental clearance process. It will explain the basis for the decision, identify all the alternatives considered, explain the “environmentally preferred alternative,” and discuss whether all practical means to avoid or minimize environmental harm from the alternative selected have been adopted and, if they were not, why they were not.
What does the EIS process mean for the public?
The US 290 Corridor EIS is being prepared in accordance with the requirements for environmental impact statements established by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and in accordance with FHWA regulations and related guidance.
NEPA requires, and the FHWA is committed to, the examination and avoidance of potential impacts to the social and natural environments when considering approval of proposed transportation projects. In addition to evaluating the potential environmental effects, transportation needs of the public must also be considered to reach a decision that is in the best overall public interest.
The FHWA and NEPA project development process is an approach to balanced transportation decision making that takes into account the potential impacts on the human and natural environments and the public’s need for safe and efficient transportation.
BACKGROUND: How did we get here?
The beginning...
In order for TxDOT to know what to expect and plan for in the coming years, a Major Investment Study (MIS) of the US 290 and Hempstead Tollway corridor was prepared. It was critical to determine what the future transportation needs were for this area.
After several years of intensive research, numerous studies and, most importantly, extensive public involvement efforts, the MIS determined that renovating the US 290 Corridor is a worthwhile investment in the community's future. It is TxDOT’s mission to work cooperatively to provide safe, effective and efficient movement of people and goods. It is important for you to know and understand what was recommended in the MIS because it set the course for the DEIS and beyond.
Major Investment Study (MIS): Summary Report
please click here to view the PDF
Major Investment Study (MIS): Entire Report
please click here (20MB file - may take additional time to download)
RECAP: DEIS Public Hearings
In association with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), TxDOT held one Public Hearing over three nights to solicit comments relating to environmental issues presented in the US 290 DEIS. Identical information was presented at all meetings, and Informational displays and individuals knowledgeable about the DEIS were available. To learn more about how the Public Hearings were presented, feel free to download the US 290 Newsletter here: US290newsletter.pdf
The US 290 DEIS Public Hearing was held at the following locations:
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sheraton Brookhollow
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Dean Middle School
Tuesday, July 23, 2007
The Berry Center
The DEIS is the environmental document which proceeded the program’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Comments from the public were received during the DEIS period and incorporated into the FEIS final document.
Click here to read the US 290 Corridor DEIS Executive Summary
PDF file
DEIS Executive Summary
Click here to read the full US 290 DEIS Report
PDF files
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/hou/eis/us290/deisreport.htm
View the video presentation shown at all three locations of the US 290 DEIS Public Hearing
To start: Select box below to activate and right click on box to select play
Reaching out to the public
In addition, below are links to meeting notes and newsletters detailing past activities that have brought us to this point, as well as the official Notice of Availability for the US 290 Corridor FEIS that was published on April 16, 2010. This website will keep you posted on all the current information and future developments as we go through this entire process together.
Notice of Availability for the US 290 FEIS
Click here to read the Notice of Availability.
Past newsletters
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/HOU/eis/us290/newsletter.htm
Past public meetings
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/HOU/eis/us290/meetings.htm
TxDOT Environmental Efforts
We're always thinking about ways to integrate environmental and aesthetic elements with roadway functionality as we plan this reconstruction effort. Learn more about TxDOT's progressive approach to caring for your quality of life through its Green Ribbon Project!
TxDOT is aware that these days, "green" means more than landscaping. Click here to learn more about TxDOT’s huge recycling efforts statewide.