Environmental Impact Statement: Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller Counties, Texas

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

Environmental Impact Statement: Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller

Counties, Texas

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an

environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed

highway expansion project in Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller Counties,

Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Mack, P.E., District Engineer, Federal Highway Administration,

Room 826, Federal Office Building, 300 East 8th Street, Austin, Texas

78701, Telephone (512) 916-5516, or James G. Darden, P.E., Project

Development, Houston District, Texas Department of Transportation, P.O.

Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251-1386, Telephone (713) 802-5241.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the Texas

Department of Transportation, (TxDOT), will prepare an EIS for a

proposed expansion of the Interstate 10 West Katy Freeway (IH-10 Katy

Freeway), from the Houston's central business district, extending along

the IH-10 Katy Freeway to the Brazos River approximately 65.98

kilometers (41 miles). The study area includes major parallel arterials

and the TxDOT right-of-way through Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller

Counties (recently purchased from Union Pacific Railroad formerly known

as the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad). Cities and towns affected in

this region include Houston, Brookshire, Hedwig Village, Bunker Hill

Village, Hilshire Village, Hunters Creek Village, Katy, Piney Point

Village, and Spring Valley.

A comprehensive transportation study of the 40 mile corridor along

the IH-10 Katy Freeway between downtown Houston and the Brazos River,

referred to as a Katy Freeway Corridor Major Investment Study (MIS)

identified several strategies to meet the existing and future travel

needs within the corridor. These strategies range from a No-Build and

Transportation System Management (TSM) approach to a major emphasis on

high occupancy vehicles (HOV) and transit, as well as the single

occupancy vehicle (SOV). Combinations of these approaches were also

evaluated. As a result of these evaluations, a preferred alternative

for meeting the corridor's transportation needs was then selected.

Strategies, approaches, and alternatives will be discussed in the Draft

EIS. Other topics to be discussed (in detail) in the Draft EIS include

land use; traffic and transportation; economic development;

displacement and relocation; neighborhood quality and cohesion; access

to community facilities; safety and security; geology and soils;

hazardous materials; noise; visual and aesthetics; water resources;

biological resources and endangered and threatened species; wetlands;

air quality; and cultural resources.

Impacts caused by the construction and operation of the IH-10 Katy

Freeway corridor will vary in accordance with the preferred alternative

alignment. Generally, impacts would include construction detours,

construction traffic, mobility improvement and evacuation route

improvements, air and noise impacts from construction equipment and

roadway operations, water impacts from construction areas and roadway

storm water runoff, impacts to waters of the United States, and impacts

to residents and businesses based on potential relocations.

In March 1995, the TxDOT Houston District initiated the Katy

Freeway Corridor MIS study. This study followed guidelines designed by

the Federal government for major investments in transportation, as

outlined in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of

1991. This study involved the development of key elements of a MIS

encompassing the IH-10 Katy Freeway, major arterials, and the adjacent

parallel Union Pacific ROW which has been purchased by the State. The

Katy Freeway Corridor MIS was a cooperative effort between TxDOT and an

interagency committee with representatives from the Houston-Galveston

Area Council, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the

Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO), the FHWA, the Federal Transit

Administration, and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission.

The purpose of this MIS was to evaluate the transportation needs of the

corridor and provide an opportunity for TxDOT and participating

agencies to identify the most reasonable, effective, and efficient

transportation option for addressing these needs. Goals and objectives

were developed with the assistance of over 150 community and business

representatives who participated in a round of public meetings held in

July of 1995.

As a result of the July 1995 public meetings, a set of twenty-two

alternative transportation improvement concepts were developed to

address the problems and needs of the corridor. These twenty-two

concepts included transportation modes such as highway, bus, and rail.

The twenty-two initial concepts were then screened based on the goals

and objectives for the MIS study, resulting in eleven corridor-wide

conceptual alternatives. These eleven alternatives were presented for

review and comment at a second round of public meetings in November of

1995.

Using the input from the second round of public meetings, the

corridor-wide conceptual alternatives were again screened to a short

list of seven alternatives to be carried forward for further analysis.

Each alternative was evaluated based on travel forecasts, environmental

impacts, capital costs, and financial feasibility. These alternatives

are described as follows:

Alternative I: No-Build--This alternative includes improvements

that are already committed to and expected to be in place by the year

2020, including additional arterial enhancement, reversible HOV

connection from IH-10 east of Studemont into downtown, HOV direct

connection between the Northwest Transit Center and the IH-10 Katy

Freeway at the Interstate 610 West Loop (IH-610 West Loop), and

localized intersection improvements. Transit service would be increased

according to METRO 2020 plans, including a new transit center between

Shepherd and Durham near the IH-10 Katy Freeway. The capacity of the

No-Build alternative is the same as the current IH-10 Katy Freeway.

Alternative II: TSM/Transportation Demand Management (TDM)--The

TSM/TDM alternative is designed to improve mobility in the corridor

without major capital investment. The alternative is designed to

improve the operating flow in the corridor rather than increase

capacity. The TSM/TDM alternative includes the No-Build improvements

plus synchronized traffic signals, ramp meterings, park and pool

facilities, geometric improvements, motorist information systems, and

other low-cost enhancements. Transit service would be further

increased, including an expanded and relocated Kingsland Park & Ride

lot and a new transit center at Memorial City Mall.

Alternative III-1: Moderate SOV, Moderate HOV--This alternative

includes all No-Build and TSM/TDM improvements. From downtown to IH-610

West Loop, no SOV lanes are added; however, a two-lane, two-way HOV

facility is added. From IH-610 West Loop to Katy, one SOV lane in each

direction is added to provide a total of eight SOV lanes. The existing

reversible HOV lane is upgraded and extended to provide a two-lane,

two-way HOV facility to Katy. From Katy to Brookshire no additional SOV

or HOV lanes are provided. From Brookshire to the Brazos River, one SOV

lane in each direction is added, for a total of six SOV lanes. Transit

service would benefit from increased speeds in both directions with the

HOV lane improvements. The West

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Belt Park & Ride lot would be expanded and relocated.

Alternative IV-2: Major SOV, Moderate HOV--This alternative

includes all No-build and TSM/TDM improvements. From downtown to IH-610

West Loop, no SOV lanes are added but a two-lane, two-way HOV facility

is added. From IH-610 West Loop to Katy, two SOV lanes in each

direction are added to provide a total of ten SOV lanes. The existing

reversible HOV lane is upgraded and extended to provide a two-lane,

two-way HOV facility all the way to Katy. From Katy to Brookshire no

additional SOV or HOV lanes are provided. From Brookshire to the Brazos

River, one SOV lane in each direction is added, for a total of six SOV

lanes. Transit service would benefit from increased speeds in both

directions with the HOV lane improvements. The West Belt Park & Ride

lot would be expanded and relocated.

Alternative V-2: Moderate SOV, Special Use Lane--This alternative

includes all No-Build and TSM/TDM improvements. From downtown to IH-610

West Loop, no SOV lanes are added but a two-lane, two-way HOV facility

is added. From IH-610 West Loop to Katy, one SOV lane in each direction

is added to provide a total of eight SOV lanes. The existing reversible

HOV lane is upgraded to provide a four-lane, two-way HOV/Special Use

facility between IH-610 West Loop and State Highway 6 (SH 6). The

special use lanes could be express lanes with an option of a toll

charged for use. A two-lane, two-way HOV facility would be added

between SH 6 and Katy. From Brookshire to the Brazos River, one SOV

lane in each direction is added, for a total of six SOV lanes. Transit

service would benefit from increased speeds in both directions with the

HOV lane improvements. The West Belt Park & Ride lot would be expanded

and relocated.

Alternative V-3: Low SOV, Fixed-Guideway--This alternative includes

all No-Build and TSM improvements. From downtown to Brookshire, no SOV

lanes are added. From Brookshire to the Brazos River, one SOV lane in

each direction is added, for a total of six SOV lanes. A fixed-guideway

system would be constructed from downtown to Katy. The fixed-guideway

would allow service on three to four car trains on double tracks with

grade separations at major arterials. Service would operate

approximately every ten minutes in both directions during peak periods.

The fixed-guideway system would provide connections to buses at each of

the eleven stations, including the Northwest Transit Center for service

to the Uptown/Post Oak and the terminus station at the north end of

downtown for service to downtown.

Alternative VI-1: Major SOV, Special Use Lane--This alternative

includes all No-Build and TSM improvements. From downtown to IH-610

West Loop, no SOV lanes are added but a two-lane, two-way HOV facility

is added. From IH-610 West Loop to Katy, two SOV lanes in each

direction are added to provide a total of ten SOV lanes. The existing

reversible HOV lane is upgraded to provide a four-lane, two-way HOV/

Special Use facility between IH-610 West Loop and SH 6. The special use

lanes could be express lanes with an option of a toll charged for use.

A two-lane, two-way HOV facility would be added between SH 6 and Katy.

From Brookshire to the Brazos River, one SOV lane in each direction is

added, for a total of six SOV lanes. Transit service would benefit from

increased speeds in both directions with the HOV lane improvements. The

West Belt Park & Ride lot would be expanded and relocated.

A detailed evaluation of the seven alternatives was presented to

the public during a round of open house meetings in January of 1997 for

input and feedback. The meetings were held January 27, 28, 29, and 30,

1997 at the following locations: Monday, January 27 at the City of

Houston West End Multi Service Center, 170 Heights Boulevard, Houston,

Texas; Tuesday, January 28 at the Brookshire Convention Center, 4027

Fifth Street, Brookshire, Texas; Wednesday, January 29 at the Spring

Branch Community Center, 1721 Pech, Houston, Texas; and Thursday,

January 30 at the Holiday Inn Select, 14703 Park Row, Houston, Texas.

Based on the detailed analysis of the seven alternatives and public

input and feedback, it was determined that Alternative V-2: Moderate

SOV, Special Use Lane, was selected as the locally preferred

(recommended) alternative. In order to select the recommended

alternative, the seven alternatives, including the No-Build Alternative

and the TSM/TDM Alternative, were evaluated for their engineering

feasibility, potential environmental and community impacts, financial

feasibility, and their ability to meet the goals and objectives of the

community.

The preferred alternative was then presented to the public during a

final round of public meetings in July of 1997. The public meetings

were held July 8, 9, and 10 at the following locations: Tuesday, July 8

at West Memorial Jr. High School Cafeteria, 22311 Provincial Blvd.,

Houston, Texas; Wednesday, July 9 at the Memorial Senior High School

Cafetorium, Echo Lane at IH-10, Houston, Texas; and the First Baptist

Church Fellowship Center, 7401 Katy Freeway at Post Oak Blvd., Houston,

Texas. Each meeting format was set up as a combination open-house/

public forum format. The first two hours of each meeting was an open-

house where information was available regarding the locally preferred

alternative and the decision-making process. Members of the study team

were present during the open-house to answer questions and record

comments. Immediately following the open-house, a short presentation

was given. The floor was then opened for public comments. Members of

the study team were also available after the public forum for

additional questions or comments.

A summary of the public input and feedback regarding the final

rounds of public meetings was presented to the Transportation Policy

Committee of the MPO for review and concurrence in October 1997.

Letters describing the proposed action soliciting comments will be

sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to private

organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are known

to have interest in this proposal. A Public Scoping meeting will be

held at a later date to request public comments on the proposed action

and the preferred alternative. A public hearing will also be held at a

later date, with copies of the Draft EIS available for public and

agency review and comment prior to the public hearing.

To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed

action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments

and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or

questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be

directed to the FHWA at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,

Highway Research, Planning and Construction. The regulations

implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental

consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this

program)

Issued on: March 23, 1998.

John Mack, P.E.,

District Engineer, Austin, Texas.

[FR Doc. 98-9284 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-22-M