FM 1000

Titus County, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, July 22, 2010, at 6:30 PM at the Titus County Extention Office, 1708 N. Industrial Road, Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455. Titus County proposes to construct FM 1000 on new location from proposed US 271 Relief Route east to FM 1735 in Titus County, Texas. The purpose of the public hearing is to present the findings of the preliminary engineering studies, environmental studies and the recommended alignment of FM 1000 for public input. The proposed project would construct a road with generally two 12-foot travel lanes and two 10-foot wide shoulders on new location southeast of the City of Mount Pleasant. Approximately 140.4 acres of additional right-of-way would be required for the proposed improvements. Potential right-of-way relocations would include one residential property and 3 miscellaneous, inactive commercial or abandoned buildings.  There would be no active commercial relocations.

The need and purpose of the proposed project is to address the limited access to community facilities for travelers from the southeastern portion of Mount Pleasant and south-central Titus County and address safety concerns along existing Tennison Road.  Portions of the proposed project would not increase the base flood elevation to a level which would violate applicable floodplain regulations or ordinances.  A wetland investigation identified 6.293 acres of waters of the U.S., including wetlands, within the proposed right-of-way.

An open house will be held prior to the public hearing from 5:30 to 6:30 PM during which the Environmental Assessment and maps and exhibits for the proposed project will be available for review. A schematic layout showing the proposed alignment, along with the Environmental Assessment for the proposed project are on file and available for review and copying prior to the hearing at the City of Mount Pleasant City Manager’s Office at 501 N. Madison Ave., Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455; TxDOT Mount Pleasant Area Office at 2210 W. Ferguson, Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455; and TxDOT Atlanta District Office at 701 E. Main Street, Atlanta, Texas 75551.

Titus County Right-of-Way agents will be available to discuss relocation procedures, benefits, programs and other needed information.

All interested citizens are invited to attend this public hearing. Persons who have special communication, access, or accommodation needs should contact June Farrell, PBS&J, via phone (281) 529-4205 or e-mail: JMFarrell@pbsj.com at least two working days prior to the hearing. The public hearing will be conducted in English. Requests for interpreters should also be made at least two working days in advance of the hearing. TxDOT and Titus County will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate these needs.

Verbal and written comments relative to the proposed project are requested. Comments may be presented either at the hearing or in writing after the hearing. Written statements and other exhibits may be mailed to June Farrell, PBS&J, 1250 Wood Branch Park Drive, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77079. Written comments and other exhibits may be presented for a period of 10 days following the public hearing and must be postmarked by August 5, 2010 in order to be included in the public hearing record. Comments may also be submitted via email at JMFarrell@pbsj.com.

A Public Hearing Summary Report will be available for public viewing at the City of Mount Pleasant City Manager’s Office, 501 N. Madison Ave., Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455; TxDOT Mount Pleasant Area Office at 2210 W. Ferguson, Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455; and TxDOT Atlanta District Office at 701 E. Main Street, Atlanta, Texas 75551 or on www.keeptituscountymoving.com.  Notice of availability of the Public Hearing Summary Report will be published in local newspapers when it is available for review.