Notice of Draft Environmental Assessment and Virtual Public Hearing with In-Person Option - North US 59 Loop

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 Monday, April 12, 2021, at 8 a.m. until Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. The virtual public hearing will be a pre-recorded presentation with both audio and visual components and will be posted as a video on this website at the time and date listed above. 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 and will be by appointment only onmonday, April 12, 2021, from noon to 8 p.m. at the TxDOT Laredo District Office, 1817 Bob Bullock Loop, Laredo, Texas 78043 . For more information on this option, please see the description paragraph below.

Purpose:

TxDOT, city of Laredo, Webb County, and the Webb County-City of Laredo Regional Mobility Authority are proposing to upgrade North US 59 Loop (formerly known as Loop 20 and Bob Bullock Loop) to a full urban interstate expressway from International Boulevard to East Corridor Road in Laredo, Webb County, Texas. This notice advises the public that a draft environmental assessment is available for public review and that TxDOT will be conducting an online virtual public hearing on the proposed project with an in-person option. The virtual hearing will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021, at 8 a.m.

The hearing will consist of a virtual room 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 until Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. If you do not have internet access, you may call (956) 712-7445 between the hours of 8a.m. to 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 hearing, 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 on Monday, April 12, 2021, from noon to 8 p.m. at the TxDOT Laredo District Office, 1817 Bob Bullock Loop, Laredo, Texas 78043. Attendance at the in-person option will be by appointment only. Individuals wishing to attend the in-person option must call (956) 712-7445 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 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 a requirement 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.

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 (956) 307-9984 with your verbal testimony starting on Monday, April 12, 2021, at 8 a.m. The access is available through Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 5 p.m.

Written Comments

Written comments are requested and may be submitted by mail or email and must be received on or before Tuesday, April 27, 2021:

Mail: Fillable Comment Form *print double-sided

TxDOT Laredo District Office
1817 Bob Bullock Loop
Laredo, TX 78043

Email: As shown in the Notice

Description:

The existing North US 59 Loop is typically a six-lane roadway with signalized intersections at the major street crossings. The proposed project would upgrade 5.9 miles of US 59 Loop (formerly known as Loop 20 and Bob Bullock Loop) to a full urban interstate expressway from International Boulevard to East Corridor Road (Airport) in Laredo, Webb County, Texas. The upgrades would include three 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, a center concrete traffic barrier, inside and outside shoulders and appropriately placed on-off ramps. The main lanes would be constructed between three-lane frontage roads. Main lane overpasses are proposed at Jacaman, University, Del Mar and Shiloh intersections.

The typical right-of-way width would be expanded from the current 150-foot to 400-foot, which would require the acquisition of approximately 192 acres of additional right of way. Sidewalks and an adjacent dual-use pathway are also proposed. Exceptions to the proposed 400-foot wide right of way would be eight proposed storm water detention ponds that would be located adjacent to the existing and proposed new right ofway. These proposed storm water detention ponds extend anywhere from 190-feet to approximately 620-feet from the proposed right of way and vary in size from 1.3 acres to 5.8 acres.

The proposed project would, subject to final design considerations, require additional right of way and potentially displace two non-residential structures. No residential displacements are anticipated. Relocation assistance is available for displaced persons and businesses. Information about the TxDOT Relocation Assistance Program and services and benefits for those displaced and other affected property owners, as well as information about the tentative schedule for right-of-way acquisition and construction, can be obtained from the TxDOT district office by calling (956) 712-7445.

Special Accommodation:

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 or in-person option, please contact Raul Leal, Public Information Officer, TxDOT Laredo District Office at (956) 712-7416 or email to no later than 4 p.m. CT, Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some services and accommodations may require time for TxDOT 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 TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated Dec. 9, 2019, and executed by the FHWA and TxDOT.

Contact:

TxDOT Laredo District
1817 Bob Bullock Loop
Laredo, TX 78043

(956) 712-7416
Email

Posted March 29, 2021