SH 121 from Collin County Outer Loop to N of CR 635 - Notice Draft EA Available for Public Review and Public Hearing

Tuesday, August 08, 2017

CSJ: 0549-03-021, 0549-03-024, 0549-03-028, and 0549-02-028

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is proposing improvements to State Highway (SH) 121 by widening the facility from a two-lane facility to a four-lane divided facility from the Collin County Outer Loop to north of County Road (CR) 635 in Collin and Fannin Counties, Texas. Pursuant to Texas Administrative Code, Title 43, Part 1, Chapter 2, Subchapter E, §2.107 and §2.108 and Code of Federal Regulations, Title 23, Chapter I, Subchapter H, §771.111 and Title 40, Chapter V, §1506, this notice advises the public that a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and technical reports are available for public review and that TxDOT will be conducting a public hearing on the proposed project. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at the First Baptist Church Melissa, 2101 East Melissa Road, Melissa, TX 75454. Displays will be available for viewing at 6:00 p.m. with the formal hearing starting at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to present the planned improvements and to receive public comment on the proposed project.

The proposed SH 121 improvements would include reconstructing and widening the existing two-lane undivided roadway facility to a rural four-lane divided highway (two lanes in each direction) consisting of 12-ft wide travel lanes, with a 40-ft wide grass median, with grass-lined ditches, a four-ft. wide inside shoulders, and discontinuous frontage roads. As per the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations, Regulations and Recommendations and TxDOT’s Guidelines Emphasizing Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations, and based on the proposed project area’s location within a predominately rural sector of Collin County, the 10-ft wide outside shoulders would serve as bicycle accommodations for projects. Grade separated intersections are proposed at FM 455 and FM 2862. The length of the SH 121 proposed widening improvement project is approximately 9.52 miles. Approximately 165.075 acres of new right-of-way (ROW) and 2.417 acres of permanent easement would be necessary for the proposed project construction. The proposed project is located within the 100-year floodplain associated with 14 streams identified within the project area. The hydraulic design for the proposed project would be in accordance with current TxDOT and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) design policies and standards. The proposed project would potentially displace four residences, one commercial building, and one structure (barn) property. Information about the TxDOT Relocation Assistance Program, benefits and services for displacees, as well as information about the tentative schedules for ROW acquisition and construction, can be obtained from the TxDOT Dallas District Office at the address listed below. Relocation assistance is available for displaced persons and businesses.

Displays available for viewing: 6 p.m.

Public Hearing: 7 p.m.

First Baptist Church Melissa,

2101 East Melissa Road,

Melissa, TX 75454

Notice of Availability of EA & Notice of Public Hearing (in English)

Public Hearing Venue Map

Draft EA Document

Schematic Design