TxDOT to hold meeting on U.S. 190 project
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
The west end of Highway 190 near the city limits of Copperas Cove will be the subject of a public meeting coming up on Thursday, June 15, to be held at Taylor Creek Elementary School, 2096 Big Divide, from 5:30-7 p.m.
The meeting is part of a public comment period that the Texas Department of Transportation is holding from June 15 to July 3.
A presentation will be given at 6 p.m. and questions will be answered by staff during the open house meeting. A prerecorded copy of the same presentation will be available in the virtual open house.
Residents may also submit public comments online at https://www.txdot.gov/about/contact-us/ask-a-general-question.html?issue.... or email them to Jodie.Kelly@txdot.gov. Written comments may be also mailed to TxDOT Brownwood District Office, 2495 Highway 183 N., Brownwood, TX 76802.
The section of roadway under discussion starts at the intersection of Highway 190 and F.M. 2657 at the Coryell County line, and goes west past the intersection of Big Divide, all the way to near the turnoff for County Road 263.
TxDOT’s Brownwood District is holding the public meeting for locals to offer their input on proposed changes to U.S. 190.
According to TxDOT, the changes include a “controlled access freeway,” one-way frontage roads, on- and offramps. The one-way frontage road will be between West Highway 190 and the housing development known as The Valley at Great Hills and will enlarge the current TxDOT right of way.
The project, not anticipated to be let for construction until sometime in 2029, will include constructing overpasses at Big Divide Road and Great Hills Drive.
This is intended to “improve safety by constructing (overpasses) at high-traffic intersections and providing safer access by constructing one-way frontage roads, and improving mobility by adding service roads.”
The overall proposed project will convert the roadway from a four-lane divided highway to a freeway section with frontage roads. The divided roadway will have a 24-foot median with concrete barriers.
The project is subject to final design considerations and will require right of way. The required ROW is approximately 40 acres and will be determined during the final design.
The estimated timeline involves environmental clearance by summer 2028, construction plans finalized by fall 2028, requiring the right of way and utility relocation by winter 2029 and awarding of construction contract awarded. The duration of the project is yet to be determined.
This project will occur after the widening of the U.S. 190 bypass from two lanes to four lanes. That project does not have a firm start date at this point.
More information about the project can be found at https://www.txdot.gov/projects/hearings-meetings/brownwood/061523-us190....