Some of you
may be aware that there is presently underway a project on Hwy.
290 & Hempstead Hwy. with TxDOT. now beginning acquisition
of land (& eventually using condemnation if necessary)
to "expand" it from 610 to Grand Parkway - FM 2920) I lifted
the following from a site that describes the project:
The Houston District of the Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), is considering improvements in the US 290
corridor from IH 610 to FM 2920, a distance of approximately 38
miles (including the Hempstead Highway corridor and the
connections to the IH 610 West Loop). The Major Investment Study
(MIS) & Environmental Impact Statement and Schematic Design (EIS) have
been completed and the project is moving forward. The
alternatives studied in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
will be variations of the multi-modal configurations suggested
in the MIS: general-purpose lanes, managed lanes (possibly
toll), and a reserve for advanced high-capacity transit (light
rail/bus rapid transit).
Immediately below is the latest update (with
interactive features) and below that is an earlier stage of the
process.
Latest UPDATE:
US 290 Northwest Freeway Update Center
|
UPDATE
April 12, 2006: Roger Gonzales of
TxDOT reports to the Association's Transportation
Committee that the FEIS on US 290 may be approved by end
of 2006 or early 2007. Also, the tollroad element of
the 290 Corridor can be underway in 2011 and the
mainlanes of 290 underway in 2013. Design packages
should be out in September or October of 2006. |
Click for Map and
Letting
Schedule
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
has undertaken a Major Investment Study (MIS) of the US 290
Corridor. This MIS studied the Northwest Freeway (US290 and
Hempstead Highway) Corridor from Loop 610 in Houston to FM 2920
in Harris County.
The purpose of the study was to
evaluate the future transportation needs of the Corridor and to
evaluate alternatives in addressing transportation issues. The
MIS evaluated various transportation alternatives to determine
which alternatives were best to address congestion, traffic
safety, and environmental issues along the Corridor.
This MIS was begun in 1999 and was completed
in 2002. Following the review of over 11 alternative treatments
and three major public meetings with a total attendance of
nearly 1000 residents and workers in the corridor, a recommended
alternative was selected.
Preferred Alternative
The preferred
alternative is to widen US 290 to 5 general purpose lanes in
each direction between Loop 610 and the Grand Parkway. In
addition, it proposes 4 general purpose lanes from the Grand
Parkway to FM 2920.
The preferred alternative also
contains "advanced high-capacity transit" along Hempstead inside
Beltway 8 and along US 290 outside BW 8.
In addition the alternative calls for
a 4 lane, two-way, managed use facility along Hempstead.
This concept is similar to that being constructed in the
Interstate 10 West corridor. The difference is that the
Hempstead facility will not be in the center of the freeway as
is the I-10 project. Click on these thumbnails for a
schematic
Current Developments
The project is entering preliminary design and
the connection of US 290 at Loop 610 to Interstate 10 West is
being redesigned to improve traffic flow in that highly
congested corridor.
In addition, an evaluation is underway on the
Hempstead managed use lanes as a tolled project, again similar
to the managed use lanes on Interstate 10 West.
A major concern of the West Houston
Association is the design of grade separations in the corridor.
We believe the major thoroughfares crossing both US 290 and
Hempstead should be grade separated to improve mobility in the
entire corridor.
Timing of the Project
If current studies prove out, the US 290
project should be constructed in phases with the Hempstead
Managed Use Lanes built first as a toll revenue financed
project. As with the I-10 managed use lanes, transit vehicles
would be likely be allowed access so as to greatly improve
transit capacity and trips in the corridor. Second, the
mainlanes of the freeway would be constructed after right-of-way
is acquired. Finally, the high-capacity transit facility would
be constructed.
Early Project Description:
TxDOT-Houston District US 290 Major
Investment Study
After thoroughly reviewing the
previously described results, discussing
alternatives with the Steering
and Advisory Committees, coordinating with
TxDOT, and gathering opinions and
concerns expressed at public meetings, the
study team recommended a
locally preferred alternative (generally viable
alternative 2 with some
modifications) that includes the following improvements:
Planning-level
cost estimates indicate that the locally preferred
alternative will cost $883 million in roadway construction
(mobilization, contingency, and traffic control included),
$35 million in right-of-way acquisition, and $873 million in
AHCT construction The locally preferred alternative
represented the most appropriate choice for the corridor
when taking into account cost, constructibility,
environmental impacts, and construction staging. The
analysis of the alternatives led to the conclusion that
all three of the major components studied in this
MIS (general-purpose lanes, managed facility, and AHCT)
are necessary elements of the locally preferred
alternative. The locally preferred alternative
provides congestion relief by having an acceptable LOS
throughout the corridor; the new design presents a
great
opportunity to improve public safety in the corridor and it
meshes well with METRO’s plans for transit in the corridor.
H-GAC’s Transportation Policy
Council is the policy board ultimately responsible for adopting
the locally preferred alternative. The implementation
sequence for the locally preferred alternative is as follows:
Click
to Enlarge Map
