1. Texas Department of Transportation Corpus Christi District Harbor Bridge Project U.S. 181 (Harbor Bridge)/SH 286 (Crosstown Expressway) Agency Scoping Meeting May 17, 2007

2. Welcome Victor Vourcos, P.E. Harbor Bridge Project Manager Texas Department of Transportation Corpus Christi District Office

3. Today’s Agenda 1:30 Introductions 1:45 Presentation 2:15 Discussion

4. Today’s Presentation Introductions Why are We Here? Project History Environmental and Public Involvement Next Steps for Project Funding Options for Project Project Schedule Discussion

5. Introductions

6. TxDOT Team URS Consultant Team

7. Why Are We Here?

8. Provide an update on current status of Harbor Bridge project Explain changes in the project limits Describe status of environmental and public involvement processes Listen to your comments and answer your questions

9. Why Are We Here? FHWA Decision in late 2006 FHWA directed TxDOT to extend limits of project to include improvements to SH 286 (Crosstown Expressway) Extension includes improvements to IH 37 from Crosstown Expressway to Nueces Bay Blvd. Extended limits allow for consideration of tolling strategies south to SH 358 (South Padre Island Drive)

10. Why Are We Here? Project Construction Limits and Study Limits Extended Project Construction Limits – Area where construction would occur and may include additional right of way Study Limits – Area that may be affected by changes in traffic and access to abutting property; no construction would occur and no right-of-way would be acquired. No specific alignments have been selected – No specific right-of-way footprint identified

11. Why Are We Here? Revised Project and Study Limits

12. Project History

13. Harbor Bridge Project History Summary of Project Phases Phase I Feasibility Study Completed in June 2003 Phase II Schematic and Environmental Documentation Current phase for the Harbor Bridge should be completed in 2009 Phase III Right-of-way map preparation and ROW acquisition for the preferred alternative Estimated completion: 2011 Phase IVSecure funding and construct project

14. Harbor Bridge Project History Harbor Bridge Corridor Alternatives from the Feasibility Study RED ORANGE GREEN BLUE

15. Harbor Bridge Project History Red and Orange Corridors recommended for further evaluation in EIS TXDOT and FHWA determined that Green and Blue Corridors need not be evaluated in detail during the EIS process (June 1, 2005) However, ALL corridor alternatives, including the No-Build, to be discussed during the EIS process

16. Environmental and Public Involvement Eddie Sutherland Environmental Task Leader URS Corporation

17. Environmental and Public Involvement Need for the Project Safety: –Steep vertical grades/lack of shoulders –Sharp curves on bridge approaches Maintenance: –Steel structure over salt water –Built about 50 years ago –Experiencing high and increasing maintenance costs Mobility: –Need for better access to bridge by motor vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists

18. Environmental and Public Involvement Need for the Project Harbor Bridge/SH 286 improvements needed to address: –Connectivity to local streets Navigation : –Need for higher/wider clearances for ships entering Port of Corpus Christi

19. Environmental and Public Involvement

20. Environmental Documentation Published Revised Notice of Intent published in Federal (3/20/07) and Texas (4/6/07) Registers Revised socio-economic environment draft section for extended limits Submitted draft Historic Resources Survey Report for original project limits Coordinated with the City of Corpus Christi concerning project effects on parks for original project limits

21. Environmental and Public Involvement Environmental Documentation (cont.) Prepared environmental constraint maps of adjacent corridor Completed environmental justice tech memo for original project limits Completed some baseline chapters of Draft Environmental Impact Statement

22. Environmental and Public Involvement Public Involvement Activities Agency and Public Scoping MeetingsJune 2005 CAC #1 (Corpus Christi and Portland)Sept 2005 Newsletter #1Sept 2005 Project Web site goes liveFeb 2006 CAC #2 (Corpus Christi and Portland)Mar 2006 Newsletter #2Apr 2006 Public MeetingApr 2006

23. Environmental and Public Involvement Public Involvement Activities (cont.) Meetings with neighborhood groups adjacent to SH 286 (Crosstown Expressway): –April 24, 2007 – Kelsey Memorial United Methodist Church –April 25, 2007 – Boys and Girls Club Newsletter #3 May 2007 Agency and public scoping meetings May 2007

24. Dave Johnston, P.E. Project Manager URS Corporation

25. Next Steps in Harbor Bridge Project

26. Next Steps Environmental Documentation Revise Need and Purpose to address revised project and study limits –Identify need for SH 286 Roadway Improvements Safety concerns Upgrade to current design standards Connectivity to local roads Poor Level of Service Increasing traffic demand

27. Next Steps Environmental Documentation (cont.) Revise Need and Purpose to address revised project and study limits –Address consideration of tolling options including managed lanes

28. Next Steps Environmental Documentation (cont.) Address New Project (Construction) Limits –Complete development of affected environment section for DEIS –Begin environmental consequences section of DEIS –Continue coordination with City of Corpus Christi on impacts to parks and city facilities –Expand assessment of historic properties –Expand assessment of relocations and effects on low income and minority groups –Assess toll-related socioeconomic issues

29. Next Steps Environmental Documentation (cont.) Address New Study Limits –Complete the development of affected environment section for DEIS –Assess toll-related socioeconomic issues –Assess access changes to neighborhoods –Assess traffic noise

30. Next Steps Schematic Development Set final typical cross-sections to accommodate future travel demand (red and orange corridors) Set right-of-way footprints – allows for determination of displacements, relocations and effects on other resources

31. Next Steps Proposed Typical Sections

32. Next Steps Public Involvement Activities Additional meetings of Citizens’ Advisory Committees in 2007 and future years Public meeting in fall 2007 Newsletter Website with continuously updated information Neighborhood meetings as requested Public hearing in 2008

33. Funding Options

34. TxDOT must find new sources of funding, for example: –Using one or more “managed” lanes with toll –Managed lane separated in some way from other lanes of traffic. –Managed lane allows traffic to flow more quickly and/or to generate money needed for highway/bridge construction and maintenance.

35. Funding Options (cont.) However, managed lanes with tolling only used for added capacity--drivers will always have a choice of whether to drive on tolled lanes versus “free” lanes A variety of funding sources in addition to tolling will be considered

36. Project Schedule

37. Complete Revised Need and Purpose – June 2007 Revise schematics for new project limits – Fall 2007 Hold Public Meeting – Fall 2007 Complete draft EIS – Fall 2008 Hold Public Hearing – 2008 Complete final EIS/Record of Decision – 2009 Acquire right-of way – 2009 – 2011 Construction – Depends on availability of funding

38. Your Comments

39. Contact information Victor Vourcos, P.E. TxDOT Project Manager TxDOT Corpus Christi District 1701 S. Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, Texas 78469-9907 Phone: 361-808-2378 www.harborbridgeproject.com