Virtual Public Meeting with an In-Person Option - US 83/US 277 at FM 3034

Where:

Virtual: The virtual public meeting presentation and other materials will be located near the bottom of this page at the date and time listed below.

In-Person: TxDOT Abilene District Office’s Training Center, 4250 N. Clack St., Abilene, Texas 79601

When:

Virtual: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, at 4 p.m.

In-Person: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Purpose:

TxDOT is proposing to improve United States Highway 83/US 277 at Farm to Market 3034 from 800 feet north of West Summit Road in Taylor County to 0.8 miles north of FM 3034 in Jones County, Texas.

Description:

This notice advises the public that TxDOT will be conducting a virtual public meeting on the proposed project with an in-person option. The virtual meeting will consist of a pre-recorded video presentation and will include both audio and visual components. The presentation will be posted online at the date and time listed above. Following the virtual public meeting, the presentation will remain available for viewing at the web address indicated above until at least Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. If you do not have internet access, you may call (325) 676-6960 between the hours of 8 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 meeting 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 at the location, date and time listed above.

The proposed project would include a new US 83/US 277 overpass bridge at the intersection with FM 3034. The US 83 mainlanes and frontage roads would be reconstructed but remain a four-lane divided highway with two-lane frontage roads. To accommodate the new FM 3034 exit and entrance ramps to and from US 83, FM 3034 would be realigned to the north of the existing intersection allowing for appropriate weaving distance for highway traffic movements.

The Business US 83 connector to US 83 mainlanes would be realigned to allow for an exit ramp from northbound US 83 mainlines to merge with the connector to provide access to FM 3034. A new entrance ramp would be added to provide access from Business US 83 to the US 83 mainlanes. In addition to these improvements, the US 83 east frontage road would be converted to a one-way roadway south of FM 3034, but would remain a two-way roadway north of FM 3034. The west frontage road will remain two-way. Due to the proximity of the nearby median opening north of the existing US 83/277 at FM 3034 intersection, it is proposed to close this median opening.

A future shared-use path along the west frontage road is planned as part of the statewide TxDOT Bicycle Tourism Network. This project will require the purchase of 12.1 acres of right of way with no impacts to building structures.

Although additional right of way would be required, no residential or non-residential structures are anticipated to be displaced at this time. Information concerning services and benefits available to affected property owners and information about the tentative schedule for right-of-way acquisition and construction can be obtained from the TxDOT district office by calling (325) 676-6960.

If you have any general questions or concerns regarding the proposed project or virtual meeting or in-person option, please contact Project Manager Eric Welch by email or by phone at (325) 676-6960.

How to Make a Comment:

After attending the public meeting, the public may provide comments in the following ways listed below.

• Email: As shown in the Notice
  
• Mail: Downloadable Comment Form *print double-sided
  TxDOT Abilene District Office
  Attn: Eric Welch, P.E.
  4250 N. Clack St.
  Abilene, TX 79601

Comments must be received or postmarked by Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, to be included in the official public meeting record. TxDOT will provide online responses to individual comments in a timely manner following the virtual public meeting.

Special Accommodations:

The virtual public meeting 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 meeting or in-person option, please contact Project Manager Eric Welch at (325) 676-6960 no later than 4 p.m. CT, on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some services

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.

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

For full screen, please visit our YouTube page.