Public Scoping Meetings State Highway 99 (Grand Parkway), Segments H and I-1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, February 1, 2006

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and The Grand Parkway Association (GPA) are preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Segments H and I-1 of State Highway 99 (SH 99), also known as the Grand Parkway. Segments H and I-1 are located on the northeast side of the greater Houston metropolitan area and span the area from US 59 (N) to IH 10 (E) generally between FM 2100 and SH 146 in Montgomery, Harris, Liberty, and Chambers Counties, a distance of approximately 36 miles. Cities within the project study area include Mont Belvieu, Dayton and New Caney, Texas. Segments H and I-1 are planned as a four-lane, limited access, toll facility within a 400-foot wide right-of-way. SH 99 is a key element of the 2025 Regional Transportation Plan, a transportation program developed by the Houston-Galveston Area Council.

The purpose of the Public Scoping Meetings is to solicit public input towards the development of the proposed project’s purpose and need, objectives, process, schedule, and study area. TxDOT, GPA and consultant team representatives will be available to respond to questions and to record your comments and concerns.

These meetings are the first in a series of public meetings to be held throughout the project development process. The same information will be presented at both meetings and both meetings will be conducted in open-house format with no formal presentation at the following locations and times:

The meetings are being held in handicap accessible locations and will be conducted in English. Persons interested in attending these meetings who have special communication or accommodation needs are encouraged to contact Grand Parkway Association at (713) 965-0871 at least 72 hours prior to the meetings. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate these needs.

Additional project information may be obtained by visiting www.grandpky.com. Comments are encouraged, and comment forms will be available at the meetings. Comments may also be mailed to Grand Parkway Association, 4544 Post Oak Place, Suite 222, Houston, TX 77027. Comments will also be accepted at GPA’s project e-mail address segmenthandi1comments@grandpky.com or the GPA’s general email address, comments@grandpky.com, if the message specifically states that it is related to Segments H and I-1. Comments must be postmarked by March 17, 2006 to be included in the public record for this public scoping meeting series.

For more information, contact the Public Information Office at (713) 802-5072.