US 290

For more information regarding the US 290 project, please visit www.my290.com.

From Gary Trietsch, District Engineer, Houston District, TxDOT

The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), Houston District, initiated a Major Investment Study in August 1999 for the US 290 corridor. The limits of the corridor, which include Hempstead Road, are from the IH 10W/IH 610 interchange to FM 2920. The study, which was completed in February 2003, recommended the implementation of three different modes of transportation for the US 290 corridor. The modes include widening US 290, Managed Lanes along Hempstead Road, and High Capacity Transit. The recommendation was presented to the Transportation Policy Council of the Houston-Galveston Area Council and adopted into their Metropolitan transportation Plan.

TxDOT began the development of the schematic for US 290 in March 2005. As part of the development of the schematic, several schematic alternatives for US 290 were produced. These alternatives were presented at public meetings for public comments. This office is currently developing a preferred alternative based on the public comments and the evaluation of the right-of-way impacts for each of the alternatives.

A hydraulic study for the US 290 corridor is currently being done. The results of the study, which will address potential detention ponds, will be incorporated into the schematic design drawings. In addition, a traffic study is being done to refine traffic volumes to further analyze the preferred schematic design.

The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) has been developing the schematic design for Hempstead Road managed lanes in coordination with TxDOT. HCTRA has evaluated various alternatives and is currently developing a preferred alternative.

TxDOT is tentatively planning a public meeting in late fall to present the preferred alternative for both US 290 and Hempstead Road. TxDOT will notify the public concerning the dates of the public meeting.