NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING SOUTH PADRE ISLAND 2ND ACCESS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING SOUTH PADRE ISLAND 2ND ACCESS PROJECT CAMERON COUNTY
On July 17, 2012, the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA), in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will conduct a Public Hearing to discuss the proposed South Padre Island 2nd Access Project located in Cameron County, Texas. The Public Hearing will be held at the South Padre Island Convention Center, which is located at 7355 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, Texas 78597. The Public Hearing will begin with an open house from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. During this time, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), displays of the proposed alternatives and other project information will be available for viewing. Project team members will be available during this time to answer questions. At 6:30 p.m., a presentation will be given, followed by the public comment period.
The limits of the proposed improvements extend from State Highway (SH) 100 on the mainland to Park Road 100 on South Padre Island. The proposed action consists of three major components: the mainland roadways, the bridge crossing the Laguna Madre, and the island roadway. The mainland roadway component would consist of a four-lane facility within a 150-foot right-of-way (ROW) from SH 100 north to either Buena Vista Drive, Laguna Vista Drive or FM 510 (depending upon the alternative chosen) and a 400-foot ROW from the end of the 150-foot section to the Laguna Madre. The Laguna Madre crossing component, which would be access controlled and tolled, would consist of four lanes within a single 80-foot wide bridge. The island roadway component of the project would consist of two typical sections. The first typical section would consist of four lanes and extend from the bridge to an intersection with Park Road 100 within a 400-foot ROW.
The second typical section reflects improvements to Park Road 100 and would extend from the intersection with Park Road 100 south to the project terminus. Within this area, Park Road 100 would be reconstructed as a four-lane roadway with sidewalks within the 200-foot existing Park Road 100 ROW.
The need for the proposed project is to improve public safety, enhance local and regional mobility, and provide the infrastructure necessary to support economic development. Additionally, environmental sensitivity is an important component of the project need. The DEIS evaluates 12 alternatives (11 build alternatives and the no-build alternative). All build alternatives would require the acquisition of new ROW, resulting in impacts to the 100-year floodplain, seagrasses, threatened/endangered species habitat and waters of the U.S. Within the proposed ROW, no historic resources or known archeological sites would be impacted. Depending on the alternative, some to zero displacements of residential or commercial proper ties would occur. Information about the relocation assistance program will be available at the Public Hearing and on request. The land uses anticipated to be predominantly impacted would be undeveloped and agricultural land. In addition, public lands and parks located within the project study area would not be impacted. The DEIS, maps, and other information concerning the project are available for review prior to the Public Hearing at the following locations: (1) Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, 1100 East Monroe Street, Brownsville, Texas 78520;
- (2)
- Texas Department of Transportation, 600 W. US Expressway 83, Pharr, TX 78577-1231; (3) HNTB Cor poration, 2494 Central Boulevard Suite A, Brownsville, TX 78520; (4) Brownsville Public Library, 2600 Central Boulevard, Brownsville, TX 78522; (5) Port Isabel Public Library, 213 Yturria St., Port Isabel, TX 78578; (6) Harlingen Public Library, 410 76 Drive, Harlingen, TX 78550; and
- (3)
- South Padre Island City Hall, 4601 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX 78597.
The Public Hearing will be conducted in English. Spanish interpretation will be available upon request. Persons who have special communication, access or accommodation needs should contact Mr. Greg Garcia at (956) 554-7508 during normal business hours at least two working days prior to the Public Hearing so that arrangements can be made. The CCRMA will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate special needs.
All interested citizens are encouraged to attend the Public Hearing and provide input on the project. Verbal and written comments may be presented at the Public Hearing. Written comments not submitted at the Public Hearing may be submitted to TxDOT, Attention: SPI 2nd Access Project Manager, 600 W. US Expressway 83, Pharr, TX 78577-1231. Comments may also be faxed to (956) 554-7509 or e-mailed to SPI2ndAccess@hntb.com. All written comments received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, will be included in the official record of the Public Hearing. 06/17, 07/07/2012
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