TxDOT Q&A: Some of our questions answered about the Hempstead Tollway

Have you had a lot of response from the public since opening the US 290 Program office?

Yes - and we're hearing from more and more people each week that passes. It's been very rewarding to talk and meet with so many individuals who deeply care about the reconstruction of US 290 and Hempstead Highway. By providing the personal touch, we're able to learn, understand and address the various needs and concerns of the public we're serving. We're also able to answer questions, dispel myths and explain the reasoning behind what has been proposed for the corridor.

With that said, we realize there are quite a few out there who still don't know about the reconstruction or, if they do, they don't know we're here to be of service. So we keep working diligently to get the word out. What's been especially helpful is when the folks that we've served in turn go out and tell friends, neighbors and area business owners about us. It's rewarding to know they see the value of what we provide to the community.

We haven't had a chance to study the preliminary schematics in detail. Is it still the case, as was explained in earlier meetings, that a 75-100 foot right of way acquisition along Hempstead Road would be required under the preliminary plan?

Currently the proposed amount of right-of-way acquisition varies along Hempstead Highway, with the minimum being 75 feet plus 50 feet for the high-capacity transit corridor (for a total of 125 feet). In some sections there will be more for ramps, intersections or other issues.

Because of such variance, concerned property and business owners are encouraged to visit the US 290 Program Office and view the preliminary schematics that pertain to their specific interests. Please contact US 290 Public Involvement Manager Melissa Deaver at (713) 357-2034. She will schedule an appointment with you and ensure that one of our engineers is available to personally answer any questions you may have.

Do plans still include space for some type of mass transit (light rail, commuter rail or high speed bus) along the Hempstead Corridor? A 50-foot reserve for such use has been mentioned before.

Yes. Preliminary plans still incorporate a multi-modal vision for the US 290/Hempstead Highway Corridor. Provisions are being made for a 50-foot, high-capacity transit to accommodate anticipated future passenger-rail movements. Also, there are accommodations within the roadway border width for bike lanes as well along Hempstead Highway. The existing Union Pacific Railroad freight line will remain in place along Hempstead Highway and US 290.

- Freeway capacity reconstruction and widening from IH 610 to FM 2920 (Harris County line) to create:

- Five general-purpose lanes in each direction from IH 610 to just west of Beltway 8, plus auxiliary lanes where appropriate

- Four general-purpose lanes in each direction from just west of Beltway 8 to near the future Grand Parkway/SH 99

- Three general-purpose lanes in each direction from near the future Grand Parkway/SH 99 to the west study limit

- Two- or three-lane frontage roads in each direction throughout the corridor

ALSO:

- Four-lane, two-way managed lanes facility along Hempstead Highway from IH 610 to Grand Parkway

- Two general-purpose lanes (possibly three) with curb and gutter in each direction will be reconstructed along Hempstead Highway from IH 610 to Beltway 8

- US 290 HOV lanes moved to the Hempstead Toll Road

- Proposed high-capacity transit corridor located along Hempstead Highway

- Bicycle and pedestrian improvements

Will streets crossing the Hempstead Tollway be built up to the degree that some streets crossing the Hardy Toll Road have been? Streets like Aldine Mail Route, Aldine Bender, and Little York Road have been built up leading to steep bridges over the toll road.

As previously shown to the public, the current proposed schematic along Hempstead Highway shows the Hempstead Managed Toll Lanes with a bridge over the cross street. Currently, there are no proposed cross-street bridges over Hempstead Highway.

I know that protests from residents of the Cottage Grove subdivision near T.C. Jester caused plans to build a continuous service road along I-10 to be put on hold last year. Will this have a negative impact on traffic flow to and from the Hempstead Tollway and I-10?

(Near Northwest Banner, April 5, 2007)