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ATLANTA – Anyone can be part of the ongoing I-30 East Texas Corridor Study by letting their opinions and concerns be known by only taking an online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/I-30EastTexas, according to Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials.
I-30 provides an important east-west connection for travel and trade. As the interstate system ages and population and business increase in Texas, it is necessary to assess the current safety and capacity needs to plan for the future. TxDOT undertakes the corridor study with the purpose of identifying rural transportation needs along I-30 from Farm-to-Market (FM) 2642 near the Rockwall/Hunt County line to the Texas/Arkansas State Line.
The study area spans approximately 145 miles, it traverses six Texas counties and is within the TxDOT Paris and Atlanta Districts. The TxDOT Dallas District is undertaking separate studies to identify improvements from the Rockwall/Hunt County line into the Dallas Metropolitan Area.
The study will assess current corridor conditions and future transportation needs. Factors considered include:
· Existing and future traffic volumes (including trucks)
· Crash statistics
· Economic development opportunities
· Physical characteristics (including horizontal and vertical clearances at overpasses, bridge/structural ratings, pavement condition, median treatments, truck parking, lane, and shoulder widths, as well as the availability of frontage roads, community needs, and environmental features
The study will better incorporate community needs and concerns for local communities and leaders. It involves them throughout the study. Similar to previous studies, an I-30 Working Group comprised of local stakeholders has been established to assist TxDOT in identifying and assessing transportation needs along the corridor. Also, the Working Group will provide an avenue to engage the public, inform and gather input, as well as make recommendations for TxDOT and other local entities. The I-30 Working Group includes individuals representing a cross-section of elected officials and other stakeholders along the corridor.
The I-30 East Texas Corridor Study is expected to have a series of Working Group meetings, either in person or through practical means. By the fall or 2016 he overall study should be completed. The Working Group members will also be conducting public outreach activities, which is incorporated into the study analyses and recommendations.
For more information, go online to the following link: http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/statewide/i30-east-texas-corridor.html or contact Marcus.Sandifer@txdot.gov or (903) 799-1306.