Public meeting to be held on US 290 expansion

The Texas Department of Transportation*s US 290 Program Team is looking forward to a major milestone this spring. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is anticipated to be published soon upon approval of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

   Why is this milestone important for those along the US 290/Hempstead Highway corridor? *The publication of the DEIS is important because public hearings related to the proposed improvements will subsequently follow. It is then that public hearings will take place related to the proposed improvements,* said Melissa Deaver, the US 290 Public Involvement Manager. *We encourage the community*s involvement, comments, and attendance during this time. What you have to say is extremely important because final determination of the proposed right of way will be subject to comments during these hearings.*

   At this point, the US 290 Team anticipates a final Record of Decision (ROD) concerning any proposed improvements from the FHWA in Spring 2008, following which they will initiate right of way acquisition. *The key thing to keep in mind is that, at this time, all plans are preliminary and no decisions have been made,* Deaver said. *With that said, we are here to answer your questions by presenting the most current information we have available. If you would like to see what has been proposed, please contact me at (713) 357-2034. I can schedule a time for you to meet with one of our engineers to review the schematics.*

   Deaver also stressed that members of the U.S. 290 Program Team are available to talk with area neighborhood associations, civic groups and other interested organizations about what is being proposed. Feel free to contact her to schedule a presentation.

   For the most up-to-date information on the reconstruction of US 290 and Hempstead Highway, please visit www.my290.com regularly.

This part of Hempstead Road beside the Northwest Mall will be the site of ramps connecting the new Hempstead Tollway to the 610 West Loop, shown in the background. The preliminary project map indicates that the ramps will cross a portion of the mall parking lot next to Macy's (formerly Foley's, as shown in our file photo). Plans call for right of way acquisition to be initiated next year when final decisions have been made.

(Near Northwest Banner, April 5, 2007)