SRC-TNM H.B. 691 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.B. 691
By: Thompson (Whitmire)
State Affairs
5-6-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Pleasantville neighborhood in Houston is seeking the
installation of a noise abatement sound barrier wall to be installed along
the west side of Interstate Highway 610. This bill requires the Texas
Department of Transportation to erect sound barrier walls along certain
sections of Interstate 610 in Houston. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 691 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to
erect sound barrier walls 
along certain sections of Interstate Highway 610 in Houston.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (department) to
erect sound barrier walls along the west side of Interstate 610 in
Houston, with specific boundaries.  Requires the sound barrier to be
designed to reduce highway noise for residences located in the vicinity of
Interstate 610 on certain streets in Houston.   

SECTION 2. Provides that it is the intent of the legislature that this
directive not be construed as, nor constitute the establishment of, a
program for type 2 projects for noise abatement on existing federal-aid
highways pursuant to 23 C.F.R. Part 772. 

SECTION 3. Prohibits the department from using funds that the department
has assigned to a district other than the district in which the highways
described by this Act are located, to accomplish the purposes of this Act. 

SECTION 4. Requires the department to conduct a cost-benefit study of the
construction of a sound barrier wall to reduce highway noise for certain
residences which must include a study of the effectiveness of existing
sound barrier walls along the right-of-way at that location, as soon as
practical. 

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.