Texas Department of Transportation Corpus Christi District U.S. 181 (Harbor Bridge) Environmental Documentation and Schematic Development Citizens’ Advisory Committee September , 2005

Welcome

Tonight’s Agenda Introductions Mission of Citizens’ Advisory Committee Review of Harbor Bridge Feasibility Study Project Status and Schedule Environmental Documentation Process Alternative Alignments Planning for Next Meeting

Mission of the CAC To offer community the opportunity for timely information exchange with TxDOT on Harbor Bridge project To present project information as it becomes available To consider your comments To assist TxDOT in conveying information to the community

CAC Logistics Open membership Meetings held at frequency desired by membership Now meeting in Portland and Corpus Christi

Summary of Harbor Bridge Feasibility Study Completed in 2003 Established purpose and need for bridge replacement Considered public input Identified/evaluated four possible corridors for replacement bridge Recommended a preferred corridor

Study Area for Harbor Bridge Replacement

Need for Harbor Bridge Improvement Safety –Steep vertical grades –Lack of shoulders –Sharp horizontal curves Maintenance –High costs –Corrosive environment Economics –Restrictive vertical clearance

Public Input Considered Considered input from the public and other stakeholders –Three citizens’ advisory committee meetings –Two newsletters –Two public meetings

Your Ideas for Harbor Bridge Replacement Safety –Provide adequate width for current and future traffic –Provide shoulders and remove sharp approach curves –Make more user friendly with bike lanes and pedestrian walkway Social/Community –Support livable, united neighborhoods –Revitalize community

Your Ideas for Harbor Bridge Replacement (cont.) Maintenance –Use durable materials/ long lasting structure Aesthetics –Maintain distinctive, signature structure –Result in skyline worthy structure Economics –Provide adequate navigational clearances

Harbor Bridge Corridor Alternatives

Corridor Evaluation Process Evaluation criteria developed for four possible corridors Criteria fall into three categories: –Environmental/Public Involvement Issues –Traffic/Planning –Engineering Each alternative corridor evaluated and ranked

Ranking of Corridors for Harbor Bridge Replacement # 1:Red Corridor Why? –Lower environmental impact –Achieves desirable design criteria –Highly compatible with future development plans for local community –Resolves offset alignment between Crosstown Expressway and U.S. 181

Ranking of Corridor for Harbor Bridge Replacement # 2:Orange Corridor Why? –Similar environmental impact to #1 –Meets design criteria –Moderately compatible with future development plans

Ranking of Corridor for Harbor Bridge Replacement # 3:Blue Corridor Why? –Higher impact on coastal/aquatic life –Higher visual impact –Worsens access to central business district –Creates barrier between central business district and beachfront area

Ranking of Corridors for Harbor Bridge Replacement # 4:Green Corridor Why? –More relocations required than for red and orange –High adverse effect on local business/ economic interests –Low compatibility with future development plans for community –Worsens access to central business district –Does not address offset alignment between Crosstown Expressway and U.S. 181

Project Phases Feasibility Study – Completed in 2003 Environmental Documentation and Schematic Development – Now underway Right-of-Way Mapping/Acquisition Preparation of Detailed Construction Plan Construction – funding and phasing

Tolling Considered for Harbor Bridge Replacement TxDOT charged by Texas Transportation Commission to consider tolling of new facilities Tolling study will include investigation of tolling strategies and their application to this project –Estimate amount of toll –Estimate possible revenues to be generated from tolling –Evaluate number of lanes to be tolled Use of tolling will affect construction schedule

Projected Harbor Bridge Replacement Timeline Complete feasibility study – Summer 2003 Prepare Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) followed by Record of Decision (ROD) –Prepare document – 2004 to 2008 –Public involvement – Throughout project –Environmental Clearance – 2008

Harbor Bridge Replacement Timeline (cont.) Prepare ROW Map and Acquire ROW –2008 to 2010 Develop construction plans –2008 to 2010 Start phase construction – (with tolling); (without tolling)

Approach to Environmental Documentation/ Schematic Development Phase Red Corridor recommended for further evaluation in Feasibility Study In 2005, TxDOT and FHWA determined that Green and Blue Corridors need not be evaluated in detail during the EIS process However, all corridors, including the No-Build, to be considered during the EIS process

Potential Environmental Constraints

Status of Environmental Documentation Process NEXT... Assess impacts from proposed alternatives on Social, Natural and Physical Environment Coordinate with local, state and Federal agencies that oversee resources that may be impacted Develop mitigation strategies for those impacts that cannot be avoided

Alternative Alignments for Further Study

Meeting with Corpus Christi AIA Meet on Sept. 29 to review Harbor Bridge replacement project with local architects Explain current alignments being evaluated Provide local architects an opportunity to provide input on type of structure and lighting options for a new bridge

Planning for Next Meeting Next CAC meeting: date/topics Upcoming public meeting: 1/06