To keep you informed of developments with the planned expansion of U.S. 290 and Hempstead Highway, we are advising you that the Texas Transportation Commission recently approved the allocation of $314.6 million to begin work on the project. The initial work will be focused on the U.S. 290-Loop 610 interchange. The funding is contingent, however, on a contract letting date of May 2011. This is significant because the needed right-of-way will have to be acquired prior to the contract letting. Therefore, to the extent that property owners in this area have not already been contacted, they should expect to be contacted in the near future by representatives of TxDOT or its right-of-way acquisition agents. If you are contacted, or if you have questions in advance of being contacted, please contact us at your convenience.

Additionally, TxDOT is stating that it intends to request a Record of Decision (ROD) in 2010. Assuming TxDOT does so, and it is approved, this will represent a substantial step in the project’s advancement. Receipt of the ROD would confirm federal approval of the project and would complete the environmental review process. Once the ROD is received, it is expected that Phase I of the project, involving Hempstead Highway from Loop 610 to just west of Huffmeister, will begin in earnest.

As this project nears, we will continue to keep you informed of developments. If you have any questions, please contact Vinson & Elkins lawyers Dixon Montague or George Murphy. Visit our website to learn more about V&E's Condemnation and Land Use practice, or e-mail one of the V&E Condemnation practice contacts.