US 290/Hempstead Tollway projects to alter northwest landscape

A February, 2006, Banner article reported that TxDOT planned to construct a tollway on Hempstead Road. Since that time, progress has continued on one of the largest road projects in northwest Houston since the construction of US 290. Designated the US 290/Hempstead Corridor Project, it involves not only a tollway, but also the reconstruction of the US 290 freeway and the US 290/IH 610 interchange.

In 2007, TxDOT presented a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the project in three public meetings. This assessed the potential impact of the project on the physical, biological and socioeconomic resources of the area. It also gave a detailed description of the project and several plan alternatives.

These hearings gave citizens and stakeholders an opportunity to provide oral and written comments on the issues in the EIS. Informational displays, maps and schematics were made available for viewing.

TxDOT’s next step was the creation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) to submit for approval to the Federal Highway Administration(FHWA). This statement addressed the issues and alternatives in the draft document and then, based on analysis and comments from the public and other agencies, selected a preferred construction plan. After the FHWA finishes its review, TxDOT will present it to the public sometime this summer for comment.

The final step is a Record of Decision (ROD) by the FHWA, which will explain the basis for its decision on the “environmentally preferable alternative” for the project. It will also discuss whether all means of minimizing environmental harm have been adopted, or why they were not. This will likely be completed by the end of the year. Availability of funding will determine how soon construction phases can begin after the ROD, but right of way acquisition could begin next year.

Northwest Houston residents will notice changes in the landscape as the US 290/Hempstead Road projects progress. Some residential and business property will be taken for construction. Both sides of Hempstead Road are primarily industrial and commercial, so there will be minimal infringement on residential areas. But some familiar businesses along Hempstead will disappear to make room for the tollway. Northwest Mall will lose part of its parking area to the tollway. The adjacent strip center with a popular barbeque restaurant will be totally displaced, as well as other eating places on Mangum near W. 18th Street.

Tollway construction could also involve the relocation of apartment and mobile home communities, churches and various City and public transportation facilities along Hempstead. Bus routes may have to be changed, which could impact people living in surrounding areas. In the short term there will be an increase in traffic congestion as traffic patterns change during construction, and access to some facilities in the area could be affected.

According to TxDOT the proposed right of way for the expansion of US 290 will result in the displacement of some residences in Section 17 of the Oak Forest neighborhood. The Hempstead tollway will be closer to the Langwood neighborhood than the highway is now, but there will be no residential displacements

The reconstruction of the IH 610 interchange could also result in some traffic congestion but TxDOT says it will maintain access to businesses during construction. Traffic noise may impact nearby residences and facilities in the area while construction is in progress. Neighborhoods close to the IH 610 interchange will notice a change in their viewscape as more and higher ramps are built. There will also be a change in traffic flow on some of the roadways near the interchange. The IH 610 West Loop northbound frontage road currently has one exit ramp to W. 18th St. The reconstructed Loop will allow motorists to take exits for W. 12th, Minimax, and W. 18th streets. No businesses on the frontage road will be displaced. But intersections at Minimax and W. 18th will be widened.

The DEIS also addresses environmental impacts such as mobile source air toxics, vegetation, tree replacement, and floodplain. It discusses how it plans to mitigate adverse affects on the environment caused by the roadway construction. It also takes into account the existence of historic structures like a historic grain elevator near US 290 and Cypress Rose Hill Road, and an area known at Hot Wells.

Information on these issues can be found in the DEIS posted on the TxDOT website. The FEIS, however, will reveal what is actually going to be impacted once reviewed by the FHWA. TxDOT has assembled a management team to organize community outreach and provide a resource for information on the project. The team, located at a US 290 Project office on the North Loop, is available for meetings with the public as well as presentations on the plans for the project. In addition, the office has established a website with updates and maps for the public to view. Visit www.my290.com.

(The Banner, July 9, 2009)