Notice of Draft Environmental Assessment and Virtual Public Hearing with In-Person Option - Robert S. Light Blvd. Extension
Where:
The virtual public hearing and in-person option dates and times are posted below.
When:
The virtual public hearing will be available beginning on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, at 9 a.m. through Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. To log into the virtual public hearing, go to the following web address at the date and time indicated above: hayscountytx.com. In the search box in the center of the screen, enter the search keywords: “Robert S. Light Public Hearing.”
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:
Hays County, in cooperation with TxDOT, is proposing to construct an extension of Robert S. Light Boulevard from the intersection of the existing Robert S. Light Boulevard and RM 967 to FM 1626 in Hays County, Texas. This notice advises the public that a draft environmental assessment is available for public review and that Hays County will be conducting an online virtual public hearing on the proposed project with an in-person option.
Project staff will give a presentation which will be a pre-recorded video and will include both audio and visual components. 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 Friday, Oct. 9, 2020 at 11:59 pm. If you do not have internet access, you may call (512) 765-1497 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, to ask questions and access project materials developed during the project development process.
Additionally, Hays County 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 virtual public hearing which will be playing on a screen, review hard copies of project materials, ask questions of Hays County staff and/or consultants from a socially distanced approach, and leave written comments. The in-person option will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hays County Precinct 2 office located at 5458 FM 2770 in Kyle, Texas. Attendance at the in-person option will be by appointment only. Individuals wishing to attend the in-person option must call (512) 765-1497 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, prior to the day of the public hearing 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 at a designated location to ensure we maintain appropriate social distancing within the hearing room.
For both the virtual public hearing and in-person option, members of the public may call (512) 685-2988 to provide verbal testimony immediately following the conclusion of the virtual public hearing presentation at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 through 11:59 pm on Friday, Oct. 9, 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 Hays County and included as part of the official record. Responses to verbally provided testimony and comments will be prepared by Hays County, included as part of the hearing and project record, and made available online at hayscountytx.com.
Written comments from the public regarding the proposed project are requested and may be submitted by mail to the HDR Engineering, Inc., 1290 Wonder World Drive, Suite 1230, San Marcos, TX 78666. Written comments may also be submitted by email to RobertSLightProject@hdrinc.com. All written comments must be received on or before Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. Additionally, as stated above, members of the public may call (512) 685-2988 and verbally provide testimony from 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, until 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. Responses to written comments received and public testimony provided will be available online at hayscountytx.com once they have been prepared.
Description:
The proposed 1.92-mile extension of Robert S. Light Boulevard from its current terminus at RM 967 to FM 1626 in Hays County, Texas includes the construction of the northernmost two-lane section of an ultimate divided four-lane section between the municipalities of Buda and Kyle. The proposed project right of way (ROW) varies from 200-feet to 290-feet and accommodates the future construction of the ultimate four-lane divided roadway when the projected traffic growth indicates expansion is needed and as funding allows.
The proposed roadway extension includes the construction of two 12-foot travel lanes, one in each travel direction, with 10-foot shoulders on each side with open ditch drainage. The project also includes the construction of a bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks as well as a bridge over the Mustang Branch of Onion Creek and Centex Materials haul road.
The project area includes 53.8 acres of proposed ROW within the Centex quarry and would not require any displacements.
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 Hays County by calling (512) 214-6153.
The proposed project would involve construction in wetlands.
The proposed project would involve an action in a floodplain.
The proposed project would occur within the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, contributing within the transition zone, and transition zone. A water pollution abatement plan will be prepared for the project section within the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone.
The draft EA, any maps and drawings showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules, and other information regarding the proposed project are available online at hayscountytx.com. 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 Allen Crozier, P.E., Senior Project Manager, (512) 214-6153.
Special Accommodations:
The virtual public hearing will be conducted in English. If English is not your primary language and you have difficulty communicating effectively in English, you may need an interpreter or document translator; one will be provided to you upon request. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend the virtual public hearing or in-person option, Allen Crozier, HDR Engineering, Inc., at (512) 214-6153 or by email no later than 4 p.m., Sept. 18, 2020. Please be aware that advance notice is requested as some accommodations may require time for Hays 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 Hays County pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated Dec. 9, 2019, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
Downloads:
Contact:
TxDOT Austin District
7901 North IH-35
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 832-7298
Email
Posted: Sept. 4, 2020