TxDOT Study Seeking Public Input

The Texas Department of Transportation is interested in your opinions and ideas about roadways in our area.

Anyone can be part of the ongoing I-30 East Texas Corridor Study by letting their opinions and concerns be known by simply taking an online survey, according to Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials.

Interstate 30 provides an important east-west connection for travel and trade. As the interstate system ages and population and trade increase in Texas, it is necessary to assess the current safety and capacity needs to plan for the future. The corridor study is being undertaken 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, traverses six counties and is located 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 to be 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 availability of frontage roads)
• Community needs and
• Environmental features

To better incorporate community needs and concerns, local communities and leaders will be involved throughout the study. Similar to previous studies, an I-30 Working Group that is comprised of local stakeholders has been established to assist TxDOT in identifying and assessing transportation needs along the corridor. In addition, the Working Group will provide an avenue to engage the public, inform and gather input, as well as provide 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 virtual means. The overall study is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2016. The Working Group members will also be conducting public outreach activities, which can be incorporated into the study analyses and recommendations.

For more information, go online or contact Marcus.Sandifer@txdot.gov or (903) 799-1306.