The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, July 30, 2015 at Bear Branch Junior High School, 31310 FM 2978 Road, Magnolia, TX 77354. The purpose of the hearing is to present the proposed improvements for FM 2978 from FM 1488 to Conroe-Huffsmith Road in Montgomery County, Texas, and to receive public comment. Displays will be available for viewing at 5:30 p.m. with the formal hearing commencing at 6:30 p.m.
The existing facility consists of two travel lanes in each direction with 7.5-foot outside shoulders and open ditches. The existing right-of-way (ROW) is typically 120 feet in width.
The proposed project involves widening the existing two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane roadway with a two-way continuous turn lane, five-foot outside shoulders which would accommodate bicycles, and a four-foot sidewalk in various locations on the east side of FM 2978. A sidewalk is not proposed on both side of FM 2978 for the length of the proposed project due to ROW constraints. The proposed project also involves the reconstruction of the bridge over Dry Creek. The roadway widening would be constructed within the existing 120-foot ROW, with the exception of four proposed detention ponds totaling 17.09 acres of additional ROW. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve traffic operations and travel times, increase emergency access, and improve safety conditions. There are no residential or commercial displacements associated with the proposed project. Information about the tentative schedule for ROW acquisition and construction may be obtained from the TxDOT Houston District Office.
Maps and other drawings showing the proposed project’s location and design will be displayed at the hearing. Environmental documentation for the project will also be available for inspection at the hearing. This information is available by appointment Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the TxDOT Houston District Office located at 7600 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas 77007. To schedule an appointment please contact Ms. Indra Gunaratne at 713-802-5330. Information is also available at the Montgomery County Area Office at 901 North FM 3083 East, Conroe, Texas 77301, with the same hours, telephone 936-538-3300.
All interested people are invited to attend this public hearing. Verbal and written comments from the public regarding this project are requested and may be presented for a period of 10 working days following the hearing. Written comments may be submitted either in person or by mail to the TxDOT Houston District Office, Director of Project Development, Texas Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251-1386, or emailed to HOU-PIOWebMail@txdot.gov. Comments must be received or postmarked on or before Thursday, August 13, 2015 in order to become part of the official hearing record.
The Public Hearing will be conducted in English. Persons interested in attending the hearing who have special communication or accommodation needs, or need an interpreter, are encouraged to contact the TxDOT Houston District Public Information Office at (713)-802-5072. Requests should be made at least two days prior to the public hearing. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate these needs. If you have general questions or concerns regarding the proposed project, you may contact Mr. James A. Roscher at (713) 802-5246.
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 December 16, 2014, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
