Houston: US 290 Project gets ROD

[MaxConcrete]

This was expected, but it is always good to get the official ROD.

http://my290.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=i9iylWCaXfU%3d&tabid=148
Project web site
http://my290.com/

The first work will begin in 2011 with $314.6 million committed to build the first phase of the massive interchange connecting I-610, US 290 and I-10. The overall project is around $4.6 billion and no further funding has been committed yet.

There will be some long runs of 12 main lanes west of 610 and west of BW8. No funding is committed for those projects yet.
Schematics
http://my290.com/HOME/FEIS/tabid/65/Default.aspx


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 25, 2010
US 290/ Hempstead Corridor Program Receives Environmental Clearance
"TxDOT is a huge step closer to beginning improvements on US 290."
HOUSTON — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is pleased to announce that
the US 290/Hempstead Corridor Program has received final federal approval.
On August 25, 2010, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a Record of
Decision (ROD) for the US 290/Hempstead Corridor's Final Environmental Impact
Statement (FEIS). The ROD documents the proposed recommendations for the Corridor,
explains why these recommendations were selected and includes a description of the
mitigation required to implement the recommendations. The receipt of the ROD signifies
environmental clearance for the US 290/Hempstead Corridor Program, marks the
completion of the Program's 10-year planning and environmental process, and allows
TxDOT to proceed with right of way negotiation and construction activities.
The first project that will be let for construction will consist of improvements to the inbound
portions of the US 290/IH 610 interchange funded by the previously allocated Proposition
12 bond funding. Construction letting for the Proposition 12 project is scheduled to occur
May 2011. Although they are a fraction of the total Program scope, the Proposition 12
improvements will result in a combined peak travel time savings of approximately $30
million per year for IH 10, IH 610 and US 290.
For more information on the US 290/Hempstead Corridor Program, please contact the US
290/Hempstead Corridor Program Public Information Office at 1-866-95US290 (1-866-
958-7290). For additional information regarding the Record of Decision please visit the
US 290 Program website at www.my290.com.

[mgk920]

Check out the two animations on that project website - YIKES!   

Mike

[Stephane Dumas]

Check out the two animations on that project website - YIKES!   

Mike

Indeed, the Turcot interchange replacement in Montreal looks tiny compared to this.

[ShawnP]

Give it to Texas when they rebuild they rebuild and don't take the cheap route (yes that means you MODOT).

[DorkOfNerky]

Glad to see the Interchange being redone. It's logical that it be the first thing to be redone in the overall scope of the project. It'd be stupid to add more lanes first without the interchange to support it.

I just hope TxDOT and HCTRA strongly consider getting the Hempstead Tollway done next. (HCTRA is adamant in creating the Grand Parkway/Toll 99 between 290 and I-10 instead.) A combination of commuter rail and the Hempstead Tollway will do a better job of relieving traffic on 290 during construction of the main lanes than the Grand Parkway ever would.

[Grzrd]

This TxDOT-authored link provides good summary of the importance of the 290 corridor to Texas:

http://expandingcapacity.transportation.org/states/TX_Unlocking_Gridlock_0410.pdf