The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has a number of highway construction projects under way around the state. Brady & Hamilton is monitoring several of the larger projects, and will be providing updates on their progress. Projects we are watching include:

• FM 1103 in Guadalupe County: The project is proposing to expand FM 1103 from Rodeo Way to FM 78 in Guadalupe County, Texas. The proposed FM 1103 roadway would consist of four 11-foot lanes (two in each direction), with an additional continuous two-way left turn lane or raised center median, curbs, and shared-use paths for pedestrian and bicycle accommodation. Turning lanes would be provided at intersections. The proposed project would include drainage improvements. The proposed right-of-way width to accommodate the improvements varies from 120-135 feet. The proposed project would involve construction in wetlands and would involve an action in the floodplains.

• I-10 (FM 359-US 90) in Waller, Fort Bend and Harris Counties: The proposed project would reconstruct I-10 to add two managed lanes and two general purpose lanes from FM 359 to US Freeway (US) 90/Katy Mills Blvd. From US 90/Katy Mills Blvd to Mason Rd, I10 would be restriped to add the new managed lanes. Additionally, frontage roads would be extended from Pederson Rd to US 90/Katy Mills Blvd.

• I-30 West Corridor in Tarrant County: The existing I-30 consists of three to four general purpose lanes and two to four discontinuous frontage road lanes in each direction for the total length extending from I-820 to Chisholm Trail Parkway. The existing frontage roads are discontinuous. The existing I-820 includes three general purpose lanes and continuous two-lane frontage roads each direction. The alternative analysis prepared by TxDOT recommends five general purpose lanes each direction along I-30 to accommodate future traffic growth in the corridor.   Along I-820, the study recommends three to four general purpose lanes each direction.  The study recommends reconstruction of the I-30/I-820, I-30/Spur 341, and I-30/SH 183 interchanges. TxDOT is also recommending continuous frontage roads varying from two to four lanes each direction be provided.  Shared use paths are proposed adjacent to the frontage roads to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

• I-35 Capital Express Central in Travis County: The I-35 Capital Express Central project is located in the central region of the Austin metropolitan area for a distance of approximately 8 miles along I-35 between US 290 East and SH 71/Ben White Boulevard, with additional flyovers at I-35 and US 290 East. The proposed improvements include the removal of the existing I-35 decks, lowering the roadway, and adding two non-tolled high-occupancy vehicle managed lanes in each direction along I-35 from US 290 East to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard, with additional flyovers at I-35 and US 290 East. The project will also reconstruct east-west cross-street bridges, add pedestrian and bicycle paths, and make additional safety and mobility improvements within the project limits. View the fact sheet.

• I-35 Capital Express North in Travis County: The I-35 Capital Express North project proposes to add one non-tolled managed lane in each direction along I-35 from SH 45 North to US 290 East

• I-35 Capital Express South in Tavis and Hays Counties: The I-35 Capital Express South project proposes to add two non-tolled managed lanes in each direction along I-35 from SH 71/Ben White Boulevard to SH 45 Southeast.

• I-35 Denton in Denton and Cooke Counties: Reconstruct and Widen IH 35 to three mainlines in each direction and continuous two-lane, one-way frontage roads in each direction between US 380 and FM 3002.

• IH 30 (I-45 to Ferguson) in Dallas County: The proposed improvements to I-30 between I-345/I-45 and Ferguson Road would include ten general purpose lanes (five in each direction), two reversible managed lanes, discontinuous two to three lane frontage roads in each direction, and reconstruction of ramps and bridges. The proposed I-30 main lanes and managed lanes would be depressed from I-345/I-45 to Dolphin Road.  Accommodations for bicycle and pedestrian travel along the project corridor are a component of project development.

• Loop 12 in Dallas County: The proposed project includes the reconstruction and widening of Loop 12 from Spur 408 to south of SH 183, within the Cities of Irving and Dallas in Dallas County. The total length of improvements is approximately 10 miles; from which 7.8 miles would be along Loop 12 and 2.2 miles would be along I-30.  The proposed improvements would consist of the reconstruction of Loop 12 to a minimum of six and maximum of eight 12-foot wide general purpose lanes with 10-foot wide shoulders between Spur 408 and south of SH 183. The proposed project would also include the addition of two 12-foot wide reversible managed lanes, and reconstruction of the discontinuous frontage roads to continuous frontage roads between Spur 408 and south of SH 183. The frontage roads would be reconstructed to include a minimum of two to a maximum of three 12-foot wide lanes in each direction. Other improvements consist of the addition of a 10-foot wide shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians along the northbound frontage road. There would be a buffer between the shared-use path and the frontage roads. Sidewalk improvements would occur along the southbound frontage road. Other pedestrian and bicycle improvements include sidewalks and bicycle paths at street crossings. The proposed project would also include the reconstruction of the Loop 12 and I-30 interchange.

• RM 620 at Anderson in Travis and Williamson Counties: TxDOT proposes improvements at the intersection of RM 620 and Anderson Mill Road to enhance safety and improve mobility. The RM 620 at Anderson Mill Road intersection is one of the most congested along the corridor. The proposed project would extend for a total of 1.2 miles along RM 620, from approximately 240 feet south of Foundation Road to Little Elm Trail, and would include two- to three-lane frontage roads, elevated bypass lanes at Anderson Mill Road and El Salido Parkway, intersection improvements, and improved bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

• SH 21 in Bastrop County: The proposed project would eliminate undivided portions of the roadway by expanding the right-ofway width to approximately 230 feet, but varying through the project to accommodate the construction of a variable median that would separate the northbound and southbound travel lanes. The travel lanes would typically be 12-feetwide, with 4-foot-wide inside shoulders and 10-foot-wide outside shoulders. Also, new twin bridges would be constructed over US 290 along a new alignment. There would be various crossovers with side road intersections to allow left turn lanes.

• US 183 in Lampasas County: The proposed US 183 widening project includes the following, between US 190 and US 281: Adding additional pavement width where necessary, for a total of four travel lanes, two in each direction, Dividing the roadway with a flush median, Adding a center-turn lane for making left-hand turning movements, Improving shoulders and guardrails, Improving drainage by upgrading culverts, Reducing slope (steepness) of ditches

• US 81 Tarrant in Tarrant County: Widen US 81/US 287 from Avondale-Haslet Rd to I-35W

• US 81 Wise in Wise County: The proposed project would include reconstruction of the US 81/US 287 main lanes, adding ramps and one-way frontage roads, and a new grade-separated crossing at NRS Ranch Road. Proposed improvements would involve the conversion from a four-lane divided rural highway to a controlled access highway. The proposed mainlanesand one-way frontage roads each consist of two 12-foot lanes in each direction. The mainlanes would have 10-foot outside and 6-foot inside shoulders. The frontage roads would have 10-foot outside and 4-foot inside shoulders. A separate project will provide crossover improvements and add acceleration/deceleration lanes to improve safety ahead of the proposed project.

What is eminent domain?

Eminent domain is the power of the government to take privately owned property and use it for public use. “Public use” encompasses many different project types like highways, transmission lines, and various types of underground pipelines. Just compensation must be provided to the private landowner.

How does it affect private landowners?

Project contractors are not responsible for ensuring that private landowners receive the maximum payout, but rather are more interested in completing projects as timely and cost-effectively as possible. Without proper legal counsel, private landowners could be taken advantage of and not receive the compensation they deserve.

What can be done?

If you think your property may be impacted by any of these TxDOT projects, we encourage you to seek counsel. If you would like to visit with our firm, please feel free to contact us at 512-474-9875, or email takings@bhlawgroup.com. Alternatively, if you would like for our firm to contact you, or if you’d like to sign up to receive email updates, simply fill out the form at this web address: https://bit.ly/TxDOT-projects. We’re happy to provide an initial consultation at no cost to you. Please don’t hesitate to contact our firm if we can be of assistance on these or other matters.