The Texas Department of Transportation (“TxDOT”) is proposing to replace the center turn lane with a raised median to better control the number of potential conflict points on SH 48 SH 4 to FM 511 in Cameron County, Texas. This notice advises the public that TxDOT will be conducting an on-line virtual public meeting on the proposed project.  The virtual meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020 at      4 p.m.  To log onto the virtual public meeting, go to the following web address at the date and time indicated above:  www.txdot.gov and search keywords “SH 48 Virtual Public Meeting.”  Project staff will give a presentation which will be a pre-recorded video and will include both audio and visual components.  Please note that the presentation will not be available on the website until the time and date listed above.  Following the virtual public meeting, the presentation will remain available for viewing at the web address indicated above until through Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.  If you do not have internet access, you may call Samantha Lozano, P.E., TxDOT Project Manager at 956-702-6334 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to ask questions and access project materials during the project development process.  Formal comments may be provided by mail or email as explained below.   

This approximately 3.8-mile section of SH 48 between SH 4 and FM 511 is two lanes in each direction. In addition to replacing the center turn lane with a raised median, TxDOT will consider proposed left turns and crossovers along the project length. Improvements will be done within the existing 100-foot right of way and no new right-of-way is expected to be needed for the project located in the city of Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas.   

The proposed project would involve construction in wetlands and involve an action in a floodplain, but no construction will be performed outside the existing ROW; no additional ROW will be acquired for this project. 

Any environmental documentation or studies, maps and drawings showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules, and other information regarding the proposed project are available online at www.txdot.gov, search keywords “SH 48 Virtual Public Meeting.”   

The virtual public meeting will be conducted in English. If you need an interpreter or document translator because English is not your primary language or you have difficulty communicating effectively in English, one will be provided to you. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. If you need interpretation or translation services or you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend and participate in the virtual public meeting, please contact Robin Gelston, Environmental Supervisor, TxDOT Pharr District at 956-702-6100 no later than 4 p.m. CT, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2020. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some services and accommodations may require time for the Texas Department of Transportation to arrange