International Bridge Trade Corridor (IBTC)
From 365 Tollway and FM 493 to I-2
Posted: June 15, 2023
| Notice: | Notice of availability of final environmental assessment |
IBTC Public Hearing: Draft Environmental Assessment
Posted: February 14, 2022 | Last Updated: June 9, 2023
| Where: | The virtual public hearing will be posted below beginning Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 5 p.m. CT. The materials can be viewed at your convenience. Additionally, HCRMA & TxDOT are providing an in-person hearing option for individuals who would like to participate in person instead of online. In-person attendees will be able to review the same materials and presentation as the online public hearing. |
| When: | The pre-recorded presentation will be posted on this page on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 5 p.m. CT. Additionally, HCRMA & TxDOT are providing an in-person option for individuals who would like to participate in person instead of online. In-person attendees will be able to view the same presentation and materials delivered in the online public hearing, which will be playing on a screen, review hard copies of project materials, ask questions of TxDOT staff, and leave written comments. The in-person option will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Community Resource Center 1429 S Tower Rd, Alamo, TX 78516. For both the virtual public hearing and in-person option, members of the public may call (956) 278-0687 to provide verbal testimony immediately following posting of the virtual public hearing presentation, from Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 5 p.m., through Friday, April 1 2022, at 11:59 p.m. |
| Purpose: | The Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority (HCRMA), in cooperation with the TxDOT Pharr District, as the lead agency, is proposing to construct a controlled access six-lane divided non-tolled roadway on new location from 365 Tollway and FM 493 to I-2 in Hidalgo County, Texas. This notice advises the public that a draft environmental assessment (EA) is available for public review and that the HCRMA and TxDOT will be conducting an online virtual public hearing on the proposed project with an in-person option. The virtual and in-person hearing will consist of the same narrated presentation by the project team, project exhibits and other information, and an opportunity to comment. Comments must be received on or before Friday, April 1, 2022, to be a part of the official hearing record. |
| Description: |
The proposed project would be constructed in two phases; Phase I (interim design) would primarily construct the four 12-foot-wide frontage roads (two in each direction) with 10-foot-wide outside shoulders and inside shoulders that vary from four to 10-foot-wide from 365 Tollway to FM 493 and mainlanes from the future Valley View Interchange to I-2. Phase II (ultimate design) would consist of six 12-foot-wide mainlanes (three in each direction), with 10-foot-wide inside and outside shoulders and divided by a concrete traffic barrier. The ultimate design would also provide for overpasses and ramps at major intersections. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve local/regional mobility for transporting persons/goods from international ports of entry in the area north to I-2 between US 281 and FM 493. The total length of the proposed project is 13.15 miles and would traverse the cities of Pharr, city of Alamo, and Donna, Texas. The proposed project would require the use of approximately 59.16 acres of existing transportation right-of-way (ROW), and the acquisition of approximately 678.0 acres of additional ROW and 28.3 acres of permanent easements. The proposed project would potentially result in 85 residential displacements. Of these, 29 residential displacements have previously occurred during the early ROW acquisitions and 5 are other structures. The proposed project is not anticipated to result in commercial displacements. Relocation assistance is available for displaced persons and businesses. Information about the TxDOT Relocation Assistance Program, benefits and services for displacees, and tentative schedules for ROW acquisition can be obtained from the HCRMA office by calling (956) 402-4762. The proposed project would involve an action in a floodplain. This hearing will be conducted in accordance with Chapter 26 of the Parks and Wildlife Code and will allow the public the opportunity to review the project details as they relate to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listed Louisiana – Rio Grande Canal Company System (also known as the Hidalgo County Irrigation District #2). The draft EA, any maps and drawings showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules, and other information regarding the proposed project are on file and available for inspection Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the HCRMA offices, located at 203 W. Newcombe Avenue, Pharr, Texas 78577. Project materials are also available online at https://www.hcrma.net/ibtc.html. These materials will also be available in hard copy form for review at the in-person option. |
| Special Accommodations: | The virtual public hearing and in-person option will be conducted in English and Spanish. If you need an interpreter or document translator because English or Spanish is not your primary language or you have difficulty communicating effectively, one will be provided to you. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. If you need interpretation or translation services or you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend and participate in the virtual public hearing or in-person option, please contact Doug Hagemeier at (512) 264-1095 no later than 4 p.m. CT, Monday, March 14, 2022. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some services and accommodations may require time to arrange. |
| Memorandum of Understanding: | The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated Dec. 9, 2019, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT. |
| Downloads: |
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| Contact: | Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority |