Virtual Public Meeting with In-Person Option - West Rail Trail in Cameron County
Where:
The virtual meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 at 12 p.m.
When:
The virtual meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 at 12 p.m. and will remain available until Wednesday, March. 10, 2021 at 5 p.m. The meeting will include both audio and visual components. All comments must be postmarked or received on or before Wednesday, March 10, 2021.
See presentation in English:
See presentation in Spanish:
In addition to the virtual public meeting, The Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) is providing an in-person option for individuals who would like to participate in-person instead of online. The in-person option will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Attendance at the in-person option will be by appointment only.
Purpose:
CCRMA in conjunction with the city of Brownsville, Cameron County and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is proposing to construct a dual-purpose hike and bike trail within an abandoned railroad alignment within the city of Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas from Palm Boulevard to I-69 East, a distance of 6.60 miles. The proposed plan is to construct a 12-foot-wide shared use path consisting of an asphalt pavement.
Written comments from the public regarding the proposed project are requested and may be submitted by mail to Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, 3461 Carmen Avenue, Rancho Viejo, TX 78575. Written comments may also be submitted by email. All comments must be received on or before March 10, 2021, to be part of the public meeting record. Responses to comments received will be available online once they have been prepared.
Description:
The West Rail trail would utilize an old railroad corridor that consists of only the rock foundation that ranges in width from 25 to 30 feet in width. All other railroad infrastructure has been removed. Vegetated grass drainage ditches that run parallel on both sides of the rock foundation provided drainage for the old railroad would remain to provide drainage for the hike and bike trail. The existing railroad right of way width is 100-foot wide throughout the majority of the project. The proposed typical section consists of a 12-foot-wide dual-purpose pathway for hiking and biking use. Two drainage structures would be constructed to span existing drainage features and connections to neighborhoods at several locations along the project limits would be provided.
How to sign up for in-person meeting:
In-person attendees will be able to view the same presentation delivered in the online public meeting which will be playing on a screen, review hard copies of project materials, ask questions of project staff and consultants from a socially distanced approach, and leave written comments. The in-person option will only be held on Tuesday Feb. 23, 2021, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Brownsville City Hall – Old Federal Building located at 1001 E. Elizabeth, ST., Brownsville, TX 78520, 2nd Floor City Manager’s Conference Room. Attendance at the in-person option will be by appointment only. Individuals wishing to attend the in-person option must call (956) 247-3500 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 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 City Manager’s Conference Room.
Special Accommodations:
The CCRMA makes every reasonable effort to accommodate the needs of the public. The virtual public meeting will be in English and Spanish. If you have a special communication accommodation or need for an interpreter, a request can be made. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can also be made to accommodate most needs. Please call (956) 247-3500 no later than Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. Please be aware that advance notice is requested as some accommodations may require time for Cameron County 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 Dec. 9, 2019, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
Downloads:
Contact: