Continue to visit this site for project updates. Updated information about the project, including availability of the Environmental Assessment for public review and public hearing dates, will be posted when available.

Project Update: August 27, 2009
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) continues work on the Environmental Assessment for the proposed upgrade of US 77 to a controlled access facility that meets interstate standards. The public hearings originally planned for late spring 2009 have been delayed until the spring of 2010 because of various factors. The project team and TxDOT have worked extensively with public officials, citizens, landowners and businesses along US 77 to address local concerns. The additional time required to coordinate with these stakeholders, to develop alternatives and to address local issues has extended the project schedule.
When the Environmental Assessment is approved and is made available for public review, public hearings will be scheduled. The public will have an opportunity to review the Environmental Assessment prior to the public hearings, which are anticipated to be held in the spring of 2010. Public comments can be made for the record at the hearings or during the public comment period that follows the hearings. All public comments will be reviewed, summarized and considered. If FHWA grants a Finding of No Significant Impacts (FONSI), the proposed improvements to US 77 will be able to move forward. Detailed design work and acquisition of any needed right of way will still need to be accomplished and funding will have to be identified and secured.

Project Update: May 7, 2009
Work continues on the Environmental Assessment for the proposed upgrade to US 77.  The public hearings planned for late spring have been delayed until the fall due to some unavoidable delays in completing work necessary for the document. Field work for the location and identification of plant materials has been impeded by drought conditions. Also, based on comments from the Round 2 Public Information Meetings, additional coordination with individuals and groups has been done in an attempt to resolve or clarify concerns. Based on this input, modifications to the proposed plans have been made to improve access and mobility for local residents in Riviera and Driscoll. 
Following completion of the Environmental Assessment, the document will be submitted to TxDOT for review and then submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for approval to proceed to public hearings. If there is public support and environmental clearance is received, proposed improvements to US 77 will be allowed to move forward. This is the first step in moving segments or the entire corridor to development as a project.