Historic SH 63/LA 8 Bridge at the Sabine River
Notice of draft environmental assessment and draft Section 4(f) documentation and virtual public hearing with in-person option
Virtual: Tuesday, July 25, 2023, by noon CT
In-person options: Tuesday, July 25, 2023, from 5 – 7 p.m. and Thursday, July 27, 2023, from 5 – 7 p.m. CT
| Public comment deadline | All comments or testimony must be received by Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. |
| Virtual details | The virtual hearing 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 Tuesday, July 25, 2023, by noon. If you do not have internet access, you may call the TxDOT Beaumont District Office at 409-898-5732 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to ask questions and access project materials during the project development process.The virtual public hearing will be posted on this webpage beginning Tuesday, July 25, 2023, by noon. Please note, this is not a live event. The materials can be viewed at your convenience. |
| In-person details | Tuesday, July 25, 2023 Thursday, July 27, 2023 The in-person hearing will include an “open house” format along with a live presentation and verbal testimony opportunity. Attendees will be able to view the presentation on a large screen, review hard copies of project materials, ask questions of TxDOT staff and/or consultants and leave written comments. |
| Purpose | The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Beaumont District, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), is proposing the relocation of the State Highway (SH) 63/Louisiana Highway (LA) 8 crossing of the Sabine River at the Texas and Louisiana state line, between the community of Burkeville in Newton County, TX, and the city of Leesville in Vernon Parish, LA. The proposed project would remove the TxDOT/LADOTD jointly owned existing historic bridge and construct new approach roadways and a new bridge structure approximately 0.3 mile (i.e. 1,825 feet) downstream from the existing bridge. The project is needed based on the bridge’s current condition. This notice advises the public that a draft environmental assessment (EA) is available for public review and that TxDOT, in partnership with LADOTD, will be conducting an online virtual public hearing on the proposed project along with two in-person hearing opportunities. |
| Description | The existing historic SH 63/LA 8 Sabine River Bridge (National Bridge Inventory Number [NBI] 201760021404005), also known as Burr’s Ferry Bridge, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed project is nearly three miles in length: the western limit in Texas is less than one mile west of the proposed bridge; in Louisiana, the eastern project limit is less than two miles east of the proposed bridge. The current existing right of way (ROW) width ranges from 120 to 180 feet and the existing roadway approaches include two 10.5-foot-wide lanes. The proposed ROW width for SH 63/LA 8 would range from 116 to 240 feet. The new approach roadway would contain two 12-foot-wide lanes, two 10-foot-wide shoulders, and would include a 30-foot-wide clear zone on each side of the pavement. Proposed ROW for cross streets includes a 50- to 75-foot-wide ROW with two 12-foot-wide lanes, two 1-foot-wide shoulders, and two 10-foot-wide clear zones. In Texas, the proposed ROW diverges from the existing ROW near the intersection of SH 63 and CR 2119, and in Louisiana the proposed ROW diverges from the existing ROW near the LA 8/LA 111 intersection. The proposed bridge would be 46 feet wide with two 12-foot-wide travel lanes and two 10-foot-wide outside shoulders. The project would require approximately 77 acres of new ROW, much of which is from commercial timber farms. Access would be maintained throughout project construction. Construction is anticipated to take three years. Although additional ROW 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 ROW acquisition and construction can be obtained from the TxDOT district office by calling 409-898-5732. The historic SH 63/LA 8 bridge is classified as a historic site under Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966 and Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code. Since TxDOT is considering the demolition of the historic bridge, the proposed project is anticipated to impact (or “use”) under Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 and Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code. Public comment on the effects of the proposed project on the activities, features, or attributes of the historic bridge may be submitted as described below. The proposed project would involve construction in wetlands and an action in a floodplain. The draft EA, 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 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the TxDOT Beaumont District Office, 8350 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, Texas, 77708. An appointment can be made by calling 409-898-5732 to review these materials. The draft EA is also available for inspection during business hours at the main Vernon Parish Library, 1401 Nolan Trace, Leesville, LA 71446, and the LADOTD District 08 Office at 3300 S. MacArthur Drive, Alexandria, LA, 71301. |
| Additional information | 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 hearing. Before viewing the video presentation, click on the link below to read through the instructions. To view in full screen, play the video and then click on the YouTube logo. You can watch in full screen on YouTube. |
| Accessibility | The virtual and in-person public hearings will be conducted in English. If you need an interpreter or document translator because English is not your primary language or if 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 or in-person hearings, please contact the TxDOT Beaumont District Public Information Office at 409-898-5745 no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, July 21, 2023. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some services and accommodation may require time for TxDOT to arrange. |
| Hearing materials | |
| How to make a comment | Submit comments or testimony in the following ways:
All written comments and verbal testimony must be received on or before Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. Responses to verbally provided testimony and comments will be prepared by TxDOT, included as part of the hearing and project record, and made available online on this webpage. |
| Lead Agency | The lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act for the proposed project is the Federal Highway Administration. |
Posted: June 20, 2023