Loop 9 Transportation Study
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Texas Department |
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About the Loop 9 DEIS Questions About the Loop 9 DEIS Q. What is a DEIS? A. A DEIS – or Draft Environmental Impact Statement – is a federally-required document that provides decision makers with detailed, site-specific information about the potential environmental impacts of a proposed action (such as a new highway or toll facility) and alternatives to that action (such as not building any transportation improvement), and suggests how adverse impacts might be mitigated if construction occurred. Q. When will Loop 9 be constructed? When will it open to traffic? A. If approved, the proposed facility could possibly be constructed and opened to traffic by the year 2015, but this or any forecast date is highly dependent on the availability of transportation funds. Q. Which roads will access the tolled facility? Which roads will connect across Loop 9? A. All U.S. highways, state highways and FM roads will have access to the tolled facility. Major arterials (identified as such in local city/county thoroughfare plans) will connect over or under Loop 9. Local streets and collectors are currently being planned to “T” into the access roads to maintain access to properties. Q. How much Right of Way is needed? A.The proposed right-of-way width is typically 450 to 600 feet in order to accommodate the roadway, side slopes, and connections to local cross streets. At major interchanges with other highway facilities, the proposed right-of-way would increase as necessary to accommodate mainlane-to-mainlane direct connecting ramps. Q. What type of facility will Loop 9 be? A. If approved, the facility type would consist of three mixed auto and truck tolled lanes in each direction (with room in the center of the alignment for future separation of autos and trucks) and three outside toll-free access lanes in each direction. Q. What happens once the Loop 9 DEIS study is completed? A. After achieving state and federal agency approval of the DEIS, a Loop 9 public hearing will be held to receive public and agency comments. These comments will be addressed and a Recommended Alternative identified within a Final EIS (FEIS). The FEIS itself will then be circulated for public and agency review and comment. Following this FEIS review process, FHWA will issue a Record of Decision (ROD) documenting the final decision.
Q. I am trying to subdivide or sell a piece of property lying in the path of one of the proposed alignments. Do I need to disclose Loop 9 to potential buyers? Can TxDOT buy my property now? A. You are legally required to disclose that your property may be impacted if the alignment in question is selected for ultimate Loop 9 construction. TxDOT cannot begin purchasing right of way until after receipt of the FHWA's Record of Decision. Please see the Study Timeline for an estimated schedule of anticipated future activities. Q. What compensation do I receive for my property? A. Consistent with U.S. Department of Transportation policy, as mandated by the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 and the Uniform Relocation Act Amendments of 1987, TxDOT provides relocation resources to all displaced persons without discrimination. All property owners from whom property is needed are entitled to receive just compensation for their land and property. Just compensation is based upon the fair market value of the property. TxDOT also provides, through its Relocation Assistance Program, payment and services to aid in movement to a new location. |