TWT H.B. 691 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


TRANSPORTATION
H.B. 691
By: Thompson
3-26-97
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND 

Houston's Pleasentville neighborhood has been plagued by noise since the
completion of Loop 610. Since its completion  traffic and truck traffic
has steadily increased. The neighborhood association has repeatedly sought
noise pollution studies and a noise abatement sound barrier. Several years
ago during the last construction project on this section of 610, a sound
abatement wall was not erected despite requests by the neighborhood to
have one built. The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) informed
the neighborhood association it will not build an abatement wall unless
additional lanes are added to 610. They do not anticipate any additional
construction in the near future. 


PURPOSE

H.B. 691 requires the TXDOT to erect a sound barrier wall along a section
of  the west side Interstate Highway 610 from a point approximately 1/2
mile south of the intersection of I-10 and I610 extending approximately
5/8 of a mile to the south. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Directs the TXDOT to erect a sound barrier wall along a section
of  the west side Interstate Highway 610 from a point approximately 1/2
mile south of the intersection of I-10 and I610 extending approximately
5/8 of a mile to the south. The barrier must be designed to reduce highway
noise from I-610 on the specific streets in Houston. 

SECTION 2. Provides legislative intent that passage of this bill does not
constitute establishing a type 2 noise abatement project on existing
federal aid highways pursuant to 23 C.F.R. Part 772. 

SECTION 3. Emergency Clause. Effective upon passage.



EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment # 1 adds a new Section 2 of the bill and renumbers
Section 2 of the original as Section 3. The amendment provides legislative
intent that passage of this bill does not constitute establishing a type 2
noise abatement project on existing federal aid highways pursuant to 23
C.F.R. Part 772.