Texas Department of Transportation Corpus Christi District Harbor

Texas Department of Transportation Corpus Christi District Harbor Bridge Project U. S. 181 (Harbor Bridge)/SH 286 (Crosstown Expressway) Agency Scoping Meeting May 17, 2007

Welcome Victor Vourcos, P. E. Harbor Bridge Project Manager Texas Department of Transportation Corpus Christi District Office

Today’s Agenda • 1: 30 Introductions • 1: 45 Presentation • 2: 15 Discussion

Today’s Presentation • Introductions • Why are We Here? • Project History • Environmental and Public Involvement • Next Steps for Project • Funding Options for Project • Project Schedule • Discussion

Introductions

Introductions • Tx. DOT Team • URS Consultant Team

Why Are We Here?

Why Are We Here? • Provide an update on current status of Harbor Bridge project • Explain changes in the project limits • Describe status of environmental and public involvement processes • Listen to your comments and answer your questions

Why Are We Here? FHWA Decision in late 2006 • FHWA directed Tx. DOT to extend limits of project to include improvements to SH 286 (Crosstown Expressway) • Extension includes improvements to IH 37 from Crosstown Expressway to Nueces Bay Blvd. • Extended limits allow for consideration of tolling strategies south to SH 358 (South Padre Island Drive)

Why Are We Here? Project Construction Limits and Study Limits Extended • Project Construction Limits – Area where construction would occur and may include additional right of way • Study Limits – Area that may be affected by changes in traffic and access to abutting property; no construction would occur and no right-of-way would be acquired. • No specific alignments have been selected – No specific right-of-way footprint identified

Why Are We Here? Revised Project and Study Limits

Project History

Harbor Bridge Project History Summary of Project Phases Phase I Feasibility Study Completed in June 2003 Phase II Schematic and Environmental Documentation Current phase for the Harbor Bridge should be completed in 2009 Phase III Right-of-way map preparation and ROW acquisition for the preferred alternative Estimated completion: 2011 Phase IV Secure funding and construct project

Harbor Bridge Project History Harbor Bridge Corridor Alternatives from the Feasibility Study • RED • ORANGE • GREEN • BLUE

Harbor Bridge Project History • Red and Orange Corridors recommended for further evaluation in EIS • TXDOT and FHWA determined that Green and Blue Corridors need not be evaluated in detail during the EIS process (June 1, 2005) • However, ALL corridor alternatives, including the No-Build, to be discussed during the EIS process

Environmental and Public Involvement Eddie Sutherland Environmental Task Leader URS Corporation

Environmental and Public Involvement Need for the Project • Safety: – Steep vertical grades/lack of shoulders – Sharp curves on bridge approaches • Maintenance: – Steel structure over salt water – Built about 50 years ago – Experiencing high and increasing maintenance costs • Mobility: – Need for better access to bridge by motor vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists

Environmental and Public Involvement Need for the Project • Harbor Bridge/SH 286 improvements needed to address: – Connectivity to local streets • Navigation: – Need for higher/wider clearances for ships entering Port of Corpus Christi

Environmental and Public Involvement

Environmental and Public Involvement Environmental Documentation • Published Revised Notice of Intent published in Federal (3/20/07) and Texas (4/6/07) Registers • Revised socio-economic environment draft section for extended limits • Submitted draft Historic Resources Survey Report for original project limits • Coordinated with the City of Corpus Christi concerning project effects on parks for original project limits

Environmental and Public Involvement Environmental Documentation (cont. ) • Prepared environmental constraint maps of adjacent corridor • Completed environmental justice tech memo for original project limits • Completed some baseline chapters of Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Environmental and Public Involvement Activities • Agency and Public Scoping Meetings June 2005 • CAC #1 (Corpus Christi and Portland) Sept 2005 • Newsletter #1 Sept 2005 • Project Web site goes live Feb 2006 • CAC #2 (Corpus Christi and Portland) Mar 2006 • Newsletter #2 Apr 2006 • Public Meeting Apr 2006

Environmental and Public Involvement Activities (cont. ) • Meetings with neighborhood groups adjacent to SH 286 (Crosstown Expressway): – April 24, 2007 – Kelsey Memorial United Methodist Church – April 25, 2007 – Boys and Girls Club • Newsletter #3 May 2007 • Agency and public scoping meetings May 2007

Dave Johnston, P. E. Project Manager URS Corporation

Next Steps in Harbor Bridge Project

Next Steps • Environmental Documentation • Revise Need and Purpose to address revised project and study limits – Identify need for SH 286 Roadway Improvements • Safety concerns • Upgrade to current design standards • Connectivity to local roads • Poor Level of Service • Increasing traffic demand

Next Steps Environmental Documentation (cont. ) • Revise Need and Purpose to address revised project and study limits – Address consideration of tolling options including managed lanes

Next Steps Environmental Documentation (cont. ) • Address New Project (Construction) Limits – Complete development of affected environment section for DEIS – Begin environmental consequences section of DEIS – Continue coordination with City of Corpus Christi on impacts to parks and city facilities – Expand assessment of historic properties – Expand assessment of relocations and effects on low income and minority groups – Assess toll-related socioeconomic issues

Next Steps Environmental Documentation (cont. ) • Address New Study Limits – Complete the development of affected environment section for DEIS – Assess toll-related socioeconomic issues – Assess access changes to neighborhoods – Assess traffic noise

Next Steps Schematic Development • Set final typical cross-sections to accommodate future travel demand (red and orange corridors) • Set right-of-way footprints – allows for determination of displacements, relocations and effects on other resources

Next Steps Proposed Typical Sections

Next Steps Public Involvement Activities • Additional meetings of Citizens’ Advisory Committees in 2007 and future years • Public meeting in fall 2007 • Newsletter • Website with continuously updated information • Neighborhood meetings as requested • Public hearing in 2008

Funding Options

Funding Options • Tx. DOT must find new sources of funding, for example: – Using one or more “managed” lanes with toll – Managed lane separated in some way from other lanes of traffic. – Managed lane allows traffic to flow more quickly and/or to generate money needed for highway/bridge construction and maintenance.

Funding Options (cont. ) • However, managed lanes with tolling only used for added capacity--drivers will always have a choice of whether to drive on tolled lanes versus “free” lanes • A variety of funding sources in addition to tolling will be considered

Project Schedule

Project Schedule • Complete Revised Need and Purpose – June 2007 • Revise schematics for new project limits – Fall 2007 • Hold Public Meeting – Fall 2007 • Complete draft EIS – Fall 2008 • Hold Public Hearing – 2008 • Complete final EIS/Record of Decision – 2009 • Acquire right-of way – 2009 – 2011 • Construction – Depends on availability of funding

Your Comments

Contact information Victor Vourcos, P. E. Tx. DOT Project Manager Tx. DOT Corpus Christi District 1701 S. Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, Texas 78469 -9907 Phone: 361 -808 -2378 www. harborbridgeproject. com