RM 1826 from US 290 to SH 45
Virtual public meeting with in-person option
Virtual: Thursday, March 7, 2024, by 5 p.m.
In-person: Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Public comment deadline | The comment period has been extended. All comments must now be received by Friday, March 29, 2024. |
Virtual details | The virtual meeting will consist of a pre-recorded video presentation and will include both audio and visual components. The presentation will be posted on this webpage on Thursday, March 7, 2024, by 5 p.m. If you do not have internet access, you may call 737-272-7027 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. |
In-person details | Thursday, March 7, 2024, 5 - 7 p.m. Oak Hill United Methodist Church - Fellowship Hall 7815 US 290 Austin, TX 78736 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 and leave written comments. |
Purpose | The Texas Department of Transportation is proposing to widen RM 1826 from US 290 to SH 45, with construction extending to the Hays County line, in Travis County, Texas, a distance of 4.4 miles. |
Description | TxDOT is proposing safety and mobility improvements for multiple modes of travel along the length of RM 1826. The proposed project would include the widening of an undivided two-lane roadway to a divided four-lane roadway (two travel lanes in each direction), with dedicated left-turn lanes and/or a four-foot-wide raised median. U-turns would be constructed at multiple locations throughout the length of the project. The construction of a shared-use path along both sides of RM 1826 would accommodate bicycle and pedestrian traffic and connect the existing sidewalks in place at the Slaughter Lane and SH 45 intersections. Multiple water quality treatment ponds and vegetated filter strips are also proposed along the corridor to comply with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone requirements. The proposed project would require the acquisition of approximately 34 acres of additional right of way (ROW), approximately 1.6 acres of temporary construction easement, as well as approximately 0.3 acres of permanent drainage easements to accommodate proposed drainage improvements. The existing ROW width varies from approximately 80- to 120-feet-wide and the proposed ROW width would vary from 132- to 260-feet-wide, depending on the location. A proposed U-turn turnout, SUP and access driveway would affect the Grey Rock Golf Club, a City of Austin municipal golf course, located at 7401 State Highway 45, Austin, Texas, 78739. The U-turn turnout, SUP, and access driveway are located at Holes 4 and 5 and the cart path between the green and tees of these two holes, an area of approximately 0.57 acre. TxDOT anticipates making a de minimis determination for this use under Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966. Public comments on the effects of the proposed project on the activities, features, or attributes of the Grey Rock Golf Club may be submitted as described below. The proposed project would involve construction in wetlands and within two floodplains. A portion of the proposed project would occur within the Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone. Any environmental documentation or studies, any maps and drawings showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules, and other information regarding the proposed project are on file and available for inspection Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 AM. and 5 PM. at 7901 North I-35, Austin, Texas, 78753. Project materials are also available on this webpage. 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 meeting or in-person option, please contact the Project Engineer at 737-272-7027 or by email as shown in the notice. |
Accessibility | 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 call the ICF Public Involvement Specialist at 512-256-0182 no later than 4 p.m. CT, Monday, March 4, 2024. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some services and accommodations may require time for TxDOT to arrange. |
Meeting materials | |
How to make a comment | Written comments from the public regarding the proposed project are requested and may be submitted by:
All comments must be postmarked on or before Friday, March 29, 2024 to be included in the official summary report. Responses to comments received will be available on this webpage once they have been prepared. |
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. |
Posted: Feb. 21, 2024