Troy/Bruceville-Eddy/Lorena: Public Meetings: Notice of Public Hearing

IH 35: FM 2063 to S. LP 340/SH 6

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will conduct a public hearing to discuss the proposed widening of Interstate 35 from FM 2063 in Hewitt to the South LP 340/SH 6 interchange in Waco. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, February 27, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hewitt Community Center at 208 Chama in Hewitt. TxDOT staff will be available from 6:00 p.m. until the beginning of the presentation to informally answer questions.

I-35 is currently a four-lane freeway section with two-lane frontage roads and a usual right-of-way width of 274 feet. The proposed project would widen I-35 to three lanes in each direction, separated by concrete traffic barrier, and provide for four lanes in the future, with two-lane frontage roads. The existing two-way frontage roads would be converted to one-way operation. The proposed usual right-of-way width is 377 feet.

Additional right-of-way would be required for the project and relocations may be necessary. Information concerning the State's Relocation Assistance Program and the benefits and services available to affected property owners will be available at the hearing.

Maps and other drawings showing the proposed location and design will be displayed at the hearing. The Environmental Assessment and other information about the project is on file and available for inspection and copying. This material will be available after the hearing at TxDOT's Interstate 35 Project Office located at 801 Austin Avenue, Suite 1030, Waco, TX 76701.

All interested citizens are invited to attend this hearing and express their views. Persons interested in attending who have special communication or accommodation needs are encouraged to contact the I-35 Project Office at (254) 754-8087 as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made. Since the public hearing will be conducted in English, any requests for language interpreters or other special communication needs should be made at least one week prior to the meeting. TxDOT will make every reasonable effort to accommodate these needs.

Verbal and written comments regarding the proposed project are requested. Comments may be presented either at the hearing or in writing after the hearing. Comments must be received no later than 10 days following the hearing in order to be included in the public hearing record. Written statements may be submitted to Mr. John F. Obr, PE, I-35 Project Director, Texas Department of Transportation, 801 Austin Avenue, Suite 1030, Waco, TX 76701 at any time on or before 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 10, 2003.