I-10 CONNECT Public Meeting #1 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 I-10 Connect of Understanding dated Dec. 16, 2014, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT. January 21, 2016 January 21, 2016 1
Public Meeting Purpose 1. Inform the public of project status and present recommendations 2. Describe the project so the public can determine how they may be affected 3. Provide the public another opportunity to provide input 4. Develop a record of public participation Public comments and questions will not be taken during the presentation. TxDOT personnel and consultants will be located outside of the auditorium to answer any questions after the presentation. 2
Public Meeting Agenda Introductions Project Goals and Objectives Existing Routes Congestion Preliminary Environmental Constraints Alternatives Development Qualitative Alternative Screening Matrix Recommended Alternatives General Project Timeline 3
Project Location 4
Project Goals and Objectives Add connectivity Provide needed connections from I-10 to Loop 375 (east to east and west to west) Ease congestion & improve mobility in the study area Improve queuing impacts approaching the Port of Entry Minimize impacts to the environment Improve mobility during planned I-10 reconstruction projects Maximize existing assets (minimize reconstruction) 5
Existing Route East to East I-10 EB TO Loop 375 EB N START END 6
Existing Route East to East Loop 375 EB TO I-10 EB N END START 7
Existing Route West to West I-10 WB TO Loop 375 WB N START END 8
Existing Route West to West Loop 375 WB TO I-10 WB N END START 9
Congestion - Existing Conditions (2015) Traffic Animation Source: Jacobs Engineering Group 10
Congestion - No-Build 2042 Traffic Animation Source: Jacobs Engineering Group 11
Future (2042) No-Build Condition VISSIM Simulation Findings Port of Entry continues to experience high congestion during AM and PM Peak Hours. I-110 Corridor continues to operate @ Level of Service (LOS) F southbound during PM Peak Hour, the southbound I-110 queue spills back from POE to I-10 Direct Connectors. In addition, the queue on southbound I-110 spills back to US 54 causing LOS F all the way to Pershing Drive (2 miles). Most of intersections along Paisano operate at LOS E and F. Northbound US 54 C-D Roads operate @ LOS E or worse between Montana Ave and Altura Ave. Loop 375 westbound to Paisano experiences congestion due to the spill back from POE. 12
Preliminary Environmental Considerations Environmental Constraints Consideration During Alternatives Evaluation Legend Parks Cemeteries 100-year Floodplain National Wetland Inventory Feature Railroad Study Area Streams and Canals 13
Environmental Considerations In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), TxDOT will evaluate potential impacts of the proposed project on the social and environmental resources listed below and prepare environmental documentation to detail these studies, assess potential impacts, and outline avoidance and mitigation measures. Historic-age Resources Archeological Resources Parks Cemeteries Section 4(f) Properties Potential Commercial Displacements Potential Socioeconomic and Community Impacts Air Quality Potential Noise Impacts Hazardous Materials Water Quality and Waters of the U.S. Vegetation and Threatened and Endangered Species 14
Project Workgroup (PWG) Meeting #1 Originally developed ten (10) base alternatives. Variations were developed resulting in a total of thirteen (13) alternatives. Alternatives that did not meet general project goals and objectives, including the required connections were eliminated from further consideration. Eight (8) of the thirteen (13) potential alternatives are variations of three (3) general design concepts and recommended for further evaluation. Direct Connectors Slip Ramps Combination 15
PWG Meeting #1 Comments 1) Concern regarding trucks diverting off interstate and driving through neighborhoods. 2) Alternatives need to avoid Lincoln Center Building. 3) Concern over the constructability of alternatives and impacts to local residences and businesses. 4) Previous considerations of additional alternative reliever routes and studies. 5) Concern over impacts to areas outside of the project study area. 16
Post PWG Meeting #1 Development of Potential Alternatives After input from the PWG #1 Meeting, refinements were made to the alternatives. Additional Alternatives were developed to improve constructability and address concerns with Lincoln Center Building impacts. Direct Connectors Alternatives 1-3 Slip Ramps Alternatives 4, 5 Combination Alternatives 6-11 17
Alternatives 1, 2, & 3 Direct Connectors 1 2 3 Direct Connectors Alignments vary per alternative Key Potential Minimal Environmental Impacts Key Challenge Constructability. 18
Alternatives 4 & 5 Slip Ramps 4 5 Slip Ramps Proposed Loop 375 to I-10 EB connections differ. Key Potential Minimal Environmental Impacts. Key Challenge Providing adequate weaving distances. 19
Alternatives 6, 7, & 8 Combination 6 7 8 Combination Entrance to POE from US 54 differs per Alternative. Key Potential Separate movements Key Challenge Major environmental impacts. 20
Additional Alternatives - Alternative 9 Potentials: No Direct Impact to Lincoln Center Building All Movements Separated Combined I-10 EB Direct Connector I-10 Connect Challenges: ROW Required Constructability January 21, 2016 21
Additional Alternatives - Alternative 10 Potentials: No Direct Impact to Lincoln Center Building All Movements Separated Separated I-10 EB Direct Connectors I-10 Connect Challenges: ROW Required Constructability January 21, 2016 22
Additional Alternatives - Alternative 11 Potentials: No Direct Impact to Lincoln Center Building Maximizes Existing Structures No ROW Required Challenges: Short Weaving Sections Removes Existing Ramp (Yandell Dr to US 54 Entrance Ramp) 23
Alternatives & Evaluation Traffic and Mobility: Provides Access to Major Roadways Avoids Queuing on I-10 DCs Improves Queuing at POE Reduces Overall Congestion Potential Environmental Impacts: Meets Need and Purpose Natural Environment Impacts Human Environment Impacts Engineering: Constructability Meets TxDOT Design Criteria Design/Operation Flexibility ROW Requirements Construction Costs 24
Alternative Evaluation Matrix 1 5 9 11 25
Recommended Alternatives Next Step Refine Alternatives Evaluate Comments from Public Meeting Identify Operational Improvements Assess I-110 and US 54 Interchanges along Paisano Dr. Evaluate Environmental Impacts Develop Quantitative Evaluation Matrix 26
Project Milestones (Subject to Change) Workgroup Meeting June 3, 2015 Screen Potential Alternatives Identify Recommended Alternatives Workgroup Meeting November 9, 2015 Public Meeting #1 January 21, 2016 Refine Alternatives Identify Preferred Alternative Workgroup Meeting Spring 2016 Public Meeting #2 Spring 2016 Finalize Preliminary Design Optional Workgroup Meeting Summer 2016 Optional Public Meeting #3 Summer 2016 EA Submittal Public Hearing TBD 27
Contact Information Antonio Santana TxDOT Project Manager Phone Number: (915) 790-4200 Public Email: I10Connect@hdrinc.com Note: Written Comments must be post-marked by Monday, February 1, 2016 Web Site: www.txdot.gov key word search I-10 Connect Or Type TxDOT I-10 Connect in your internet search browser 28