Businesses, residents prepare for Hwy. 290 expansion
With each transportation project, an environmental impact statement, or EIS, is drafted to determine the project's scope and the effect it will have on the surrounding area. Once the EIS is completed, land must be acquired to build, widen or enhance roads, which typically results in a right of way purchase.
In Northwest Houston, the Hwy. 290 expansion calls for the purchase of 358 parcels along the corridor by the Texas Department of Transportation.
"Right of way acquisition is needed if it is determined that a road widening project is necessary for the betterment of the community," said Karen Othon, TxDOT public information officer. "Traffic and engineering studies are conducted and public input is obtained prior to moving forward with right of way acquisition."
Right of way is a legal agreement that allows one entity to use another's property for public use, such as transportation purposes. There are more than 1 million acres of right of way controlled by TxDOT throughout the state, and the right of way division helps coordinate land acquisition and utility adjustments and provides relocation assistance to businesses and landowners. Easements can also be purchased by cities, counties and statewide entities such as TxDOT to use a portion or all of an owner's land to relocate utilities or expand projects.
