Notice of Draft Environmental Assessment and Virtual Public Hearing with In-Person Option – US 87 from east of US 385 to FM 2589

Where:

The virtual public hearing will be held beginning on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at 9 a.m. and remain available for online viewing through Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. The virtual public hearing will be a pre-recorded presentation and will be posted as a video link near the bottom of this web page at that time. Please note that all project materials can be found below under the Downloads section on this page.

The in-person option is for individuals who would like to participate in person instead of online. The in-person public hearing will be on May 25, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Moore County Maintenance Barn, 1249 N. Maddox Ave., Dumas, Texas 79029. Appointments are recommended for attendees, but walk-ins will be permitted. For more information on this option, please see below.

When:

The pre-recorded virtual public hearing will be available on this web page starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

Purpose:

The purpose of the public hearing is to receive public comment on the draft environmental assessment and the recommended alternative for proposed improvements along US 87 from east of US 385 to FM 2589 in Hartley and Moore Counties, Texas. Written or verbal comments must be received on or before Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 11:59 p.m., to be a part of the official public hearing record.

The virtual 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, will also be available. Following the virtual public hearing, the presentation will remain available for viewing on this web page until Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. If you do not have internet access, you may call the TxDOT Amarillo District offices at (806) 356-3200 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to ask questions and access project materials any time during the project development process. Comments may be provided by mail, email or voicemail as described and on the virtual public hearing website.

Description:

The project is in Hartley and Moore counties near the communities of Hartley and Dumas. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve mobility, connectivity and safety along the US 87 corridor. The project is approximately 19 miles long. The proposed improvements include expanding from the current super-two configuration into a four-lane divided highway along US 87 from east of the US 385 Interchange, near Hartley, to FM 2589 west of Dumas.

The existing right-of-way width varies from 100 feet to 150 feet and the proposed right-of-way width varies approximately 200 feet to 260 feet. The proposed project would, subject to final design considerations, require additional right of way and potentially displace one residence and seven non-residential structures.

The draft EA, maps and drawings showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules, and other information regarding the proposed project are available for inspection Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the TxDOT Amarillo District Office, 5715 Canyon Drive, Amarillo, Texas, 79110. Project materials can be found below under “Downloads”. The draft EA will also be available in hard copy form for review at the in-person option.

How to sign-up for an in-person hearing:

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, 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, May 25, 2021, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Moore County Maintenance Barn, 1249 N. Maddox Ave., Dumas, Texas 79029.  Appointments are recommended for attendees participating in-person, but walk-ins will be permitted. Individuals wishing to attend the in-person option may call (512) 636‑7754 between the hours of 8 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 the recommendation to 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.

How to make a comment:

For both the virtual public hearing and in-person option, the public may provide comments in the following ways:

Verbal Testimony

Leave a recorded voicemail at (806) 370-8060 with your verbal testimony starting on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at 9 a.m. Voicemail access is available 24 hours a day through Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.

Written Comments

Written comments can be submitted the following ways until Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.:

• Email: As described in notice
• Online: Online Comment Form
• Mail: Comment Form *print double-sided
  Comment Form (Español) *imprimir en ambos lados
  Blair Johnson, P.E.
  TxDOT Amarillo District Engineer
  5715 Canyon Drive
  Amarillo, Texas, 79110

Comments must be received or postmarked by Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 11:59 p.m., which is 15 calendar days following the start of the virtual public hearing date. TxDOT will provide written responses to individual comments in a timely manner following the public hearing. The public hearing summary report will be available online at www.txdot.gov and keyword search “US 87 Public Hearing” once it has been prepared.

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, please contact Christopher Johnson, P.M.P., Project Manager, TxDOT Amarillo District at (806) 356-3200 no later than 4 p.m. CT, Friday, May 21, 2021. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some services and accommodations may require time for the TxDOT to arrange.

For additional information about the virtual public hearing, or general questions regarding the proposed project, please contact Christopher Johnson, P.M.P., Project Manager at (806) 356-3200 or by email.

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

For full screen, please visit our YouTube page.