The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is proposing to improve the traffic flow of IH 45 Frontage Roads and Ramps within the Fairfield area. An informal open house is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, 2019 between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30p.m. at the Fairfield Elementary School in Fairfield, TX. TxDOT staff will display the proposed alternative and be available to discuss the project.
The existing frontage roads within the Fairfield section of IH 45 are two-way, one lane north and one lane south, with on and off ramps accessing the IH 45 main lanes. The existing frontage roads lanes are 12-ft wide with 4 to 5-ft shoulders bounded by open ditches. US 84 and FM 27 intersect both east and west frontage roads within the project limits. There is currently no frontage road south of US 84 along the east side of IH 45.
Proposed roadway construction along IH 45 extends from approximately 0.5 miles south of Church Street to approximately 1.6 miles north of FM 27 (total length of 4.36 miles) in Fairfield, Texas. Construction includes ramp reconfigurations, frontage road rehabilitation, frontage road realignment, new location frontage, intersection improvements, and shared use paths. This project would require approximately 6.44 acres of new ROW along the east side of the existing ROW.
There are four (4) proposed northbound ramps including; new location exit ramp to Church Street, new location exit ramp to US 84, new location exit ramp to FM 27, Re-constructed entrance ramp from FM 27.
There are five (5) proposed southbound ramps including; new location, 2-way, entrance ramp from Church street new location exit ramp to Church Street, new location exit ramp to US 84, new location, 2-way, exit ramp to FM 27, new location, 2-way, exit ramp to west frontage road. All ramps would consist of a 14-ft travel lane with a 6-ft outside shoulders and 2-ft inside shoulders
The IH 45 East Frontage Road will be realigned at US 84 and FM 27. The remaining existing IH 45 East Frontage Road pavement will be rehabilitated. The IH 45 East Frontage Road will be extended south from US 84 to Church Street.
The IH 45 West Frontage Road will be realigned at Church Street, US 84, and FM 27. The remaining existing IH 45 West Frontage Road pavement will be rehabilitated.
Between US 84 and FM 27, the east and west frontage roads would be bounded with curb and gutter. Behind the curbed sections, there would be 10-ft shared use paths along both frontage roads with an offset of 5-ft
Both the IH 45 east and west frontage roads will be converted to one-way operation from Church Street to FM 27. Two-way operation will remain south of Church Street and north of FM 27 on the west frontage.
US 84 and FM 27 will be signalized at both intersections, improvements will be made with the addition of right turn lanes. Church Street will be stop controlled at both frontage road intersections with no additional turn lanes
The public is invited to attend and may come and go at their convenience. Information about this project is also available on the TxDOT Projects and Studies web page at http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/bryan/i45-fairfield.html. Updated meeting displays will be available for viewing on the web page after the public meeting. Displays showing the design and other information regarding the project are also available for inspection at the District Office Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Although additional right-of-way is required, no residential or non-residential structures will be displaced. Information concerning services and benefits available to affected property owners and information about the tentative schedule for right-of-way acquisition may be obtained from the district office at the address listed below or online at https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/forms-publications/consultants-contractors/publications/row.html.
The project would not impact any section 4(f) properties or historical resources. There would be no encroachments on floodplains or impacts to wetlands. There would be no impacts to State and Federally Listed Threated or Endangered Species.
Comments may be made at the meeting or in writing by December 27, 2019 to the TxDOT Bryan District Advance Planning Office Attn: IH 45 Fairfield, 2591 North Earl Rudder Freeway, Bryan, TX 77803, or by email or phone to Ms. Allison Kurwitz, P.E. with the Bryan District Planning Office at (979) 778-2165 or Allison.Kurwitz@txdot.gov.
Persons interested in attending the meeting who have special communication or accommodation needs, are encouraged to call (979) 778-2165. Requests should be made at least two days prior to the meeting. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate these needs.
Sí desea información en Español, puede llamar al (979) 778-9719.
The environmental review, consultation and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated Dec. 16, 2014, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
For more information, contact Bobby.Colwell@txdot.gov or (979) 778-9764.