Notice of a Virtual Public Hearing with In-Person Option - Loop 360 at Courtyard Drive/RM 2222

Where:

To view the hearing materials, see below or visit Loop360Project.com. 

When:

The virtual public hearing will be available beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at 10 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. To log onto the virtual public hearing, see the materials below or visit Loop360Project.com.

The in-person option is for individuals who would like to participate in-person instead of online and will be by appointment only. For more information on this option, please see the description paragraph below.

Purpose:

TxDOT and the city of Austin are proposing to improve safety and mobility along Loop 360 at the intersections of Courtyard Drive and RM 2222 in Travis County, Texas. This notice advises the public that TxDOT will be conducting an virtual public hearing on the proposed project with an in-person option.

The public hearing will include a pre-recorded presentation that explains the proposed improvements and provides additional information about the project. The presentation will include both audio and visual components. Additional materials, including a written transcript of the presentation, display boards, exhibits and supporting documents such as fact sheets, will also be available. Please note that the presentation will not be available on the website until the time and date listed above. Following the virtual public hearing, the presentation will remain available for viewing at the web address indicated above until Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. If you do not have internet access, you may call (512) 832-7192 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to ask questions and access project materials during the project development process.  

Additionally, TxDOT is providing an in-person option for individuals who would like to participate in-person instead of online. In-person attendees will be able to view the same presentation delivered in the online public hearing which will be playing on a screen, review hard copies of project materials, ask questions of TxDOT staff and/or consultants from a socially distanced approach, and leave written comments. The in-person option will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the TxDOT Austin District office, 7901 North I-35, Austin, TX 78753. Attendance at the in-person option will be by appointment only. Individuals wishing to attend the in-person option must call (512) 832-7192 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to make an appointment. In recognition of COVID-19, enhanced safety measures will be applied at the in-person option, including a requirement to wear a face mask, submit to a temperature check prior to entry, have an appointment and follow social distancing practices. If anyone arrives without an appointment they may be asked to wait outside to ensure we maintain appropriate occupancy within the hearing room.

For both the virtual public hearing and in-person option, members of the public may call (512) 647-1064 to provide verbal testimony immediately following the conclusion of the virtual public hearing presentation at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. Formal written comments may also be provided by mail or email as explained below. All verbally provided testimony and timely written comments will be considered by TxDOT and included as part of the official record.  Responses to verbally provided testimony and comments will be prepared by TxDOT, included as part of the hearing and project record, and made available online at Loop360Project.com or TxDOT.gov and search keywords “Loop 360 at Courtyard Drive.”

Written comments from the public regarding the proposed project are requested and may be submitted by mail to the Loop 360 Project Team, 1608 W. 6th St., Austin, TX 78703. Written comments may also be submitted by email to info@Loop360Project.com or by using the comment form on the project website, located at http://Loop360Project.com/contact.htm. All written comments must be received on or before Oct. 21, 2020. Additionally, as stated above, members of the public may call (512) 647-1064 and verbally provide testimony from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. Responses to written comments received and public testimony provided will be available online at Loop360Project.com or TxDOT.gov and search keywords “Loop 360 at Courtyard Drive” once they have been prepared.

Description:

The current roadway consists of two, 12-foot-wide mainlanes with 10-foot-wide outside shoulders in each direction, separated by a 48-foot-wide grassy median. There is an at-grade intersection at Courtyard Drive with left-turn and right-turn lanes, and a traditional grade-separated intersection with entrance and exit ramps at RM 2222, and there are no bicycle lanes, shared-use paths or sidewalks along Loop 360 in the project area. The proposed Loop 360 at Courtyard Drive/RM 2222 project includes replacing the existing traffic signals on Loop 360 at Courtyard Drive with an underpass (where the Loop 360 mainlanes go under the cross street), constructing a diverging diamond intersection (DDI) at RM 2222, and adding 10-foot-wide shared-use paths along both sides of Loop 360, and six-foot-wide sidewalks along both sides of Courtyard Drive. All work would be conducted within the existing TxDOT right of way. The project is approximately one mile in length.

The proposed project would involve work within the Federal Emergency Management Agency designated 100-year floodplain of West Bull Creek. The hydraulic design for this project would be in accordance with current Federal Highway Administration and TxDOT design policies.

Environmental documentation or studies, maps and drawings showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules, and other information regarding the proposed project are available online at Loop360Project.com or TxDOT.gov and search keywords “Loop 360 at Courtyard Drive.” These materials will also be available in hard copy form for review at the in-person option.

If you have any general questions or concerns regarding the proposed project or virtual hearing or in-person option, please contact Crystal Wotipka at (512) 832-7192 or cwotipka@rifeline.com.

Special Accommodations:

The virtual public hearing and in-person option will be conducted in English. If you need an interpreter or document translator because English is not your primary language or you have difficulty communicating effectively in English, one will be provided to you. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. If you need interpretation or translation services or you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend and participate in the virtual public hearing or in-person option, please contact Crystal Wotipka, TxDOT Austin District, at (512) 832-7192 no later than 4 p.m. CT, Oct. 1, 2020. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some services and accommodations may require time for the Texas Department of Transportation to arrange.

Memorandum of Understanding:

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 9, 2019, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.

Instructions for Viewing Presentation:

TxDOT has created basic instructions in an effort to help the public understand the basics of participating in a virtual public meeting/hearing. Before viewing the video presentation, click on the link below to read through the instructions.

• Instructions for Viewing a Pre-Recorded Presentation
• Instructions for Viewing a Pre-Recorded Presentation (Español)