TxDOT HOSTING VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING ON CHAPPELL HILL INTERSECTION
Now through December 22nd, the public can offer input to TxDOT on proposed improvements to the intersection of Highway 290 and FM 1155 in Chappell Hill. TxDOT is hosting a virtual public meeting and is seeking feedback from the public on three concepts designed to improve traffic operations and enhance safety of the intersection.
The video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pVBpUGeu60
Concept 1 would block the direct north/south movement through the intersection and allow drivers to make a U-turn further down highway 290 in order to cross the highway.
Concept 2 is the traditional overpass design with the Highway 290 traffic bridged over the 1155 – Main Street traffic. 
Concept 2Concept 3 moves 3 miles of Highway 290 to a location south of Chappell Hill with bridges over Chadwick-Hogan Road, Nicholson Lake Road, and FM 1371. This design would require acquiring the most right of way.
To access the virtual meeting, go online to www.txdot.gov and keyword search “US 290 at FM 1155.” Anyone without internet access can call Bryan District Project Manager Mark Poage at 979-778-9655 to ask questions during the project development process.
Written comments regarding the project can be submitted by mail to the TxDOT Bryan District Office, Attn: Mark Poage, P.E., 2591 North Earl Rudder Freeway, Bryan, TX 77803. Comments can also be emailed to Mark.Poage@txdot.gov. All comments must be received on or before December 22nd.
Shifting Concept 2 north about 150 feet would seem to minimize the parcels impacted
Clearly the over pass is the best choice many of you are talking about killing businesses! But not worried about traffic casualties! Hmm! Walmart, HEB, and all the others businesses on the 290 over pass is fine! McDonald’s ain’t suffering so neither will chappel Hill! Really yall!
As a daily 290 traveller, I choose option 2.
But, with exits to permit access to businesses, understanding that current businesses may have to move.
And/Or, with feeder options that do not run directly alongside 290 but rather, veer to the north of north side businesses and south of south side businesses.
I don’t like any of the options mentioned, in my opinion the overpass should be going east/west as that is where all the vehicles run the red light not going north/south as those are usually locals and they know how dangerous that intersection is. You could have an exit ramp further down near FM1371 to access the businesses of Chappell Hill.
CONCEPT 2
The ONE thing we must do is preserve our local businesses. The only way to do this is through Concept #1. Although this would cease crossing 290 as it currently is, it would at least allow our local businesses stay opened and at a far less cost that building an overpass or a complete reroute of 290. There have been way too many small towns shut down over the years when highways bypass them. Plus, with the addition of another signal light within the town limits would hopefully reduce speed while going through town. Concept#2 will close some or all successful businesses as land would be required. Concept #3 would hurt these businesses and cost a tremendous amount of money to not only acquire land, but the cost of building a new section of 290. Let’s save our local businesses and the tax revenue they bring to Chappell Hill.
All of these options are terrible. I’d like option B the best but only if it’d get shifted a little bit over to knock out either all of the businesses to the north or to the south rather than all of the businesses both north and south. Seems to me like it’d reduce land acquisition costs, too.
I bet they didn’t think about that. I would go down the the TXDOT office an let them know the best nonengineer that knows best is in the office with a better option.
Snide sarcasm is entirely unnecessary. Giving TXDOT feedback is in fact actually the purpose of them seeking public comment. Their engineers are good engineers and certainly are capable of doing design work and cost estimation, but they aren’t great at estimating or weighing local perspectives or land acquisition costs. This is a valuable process and it’s our chance as citizens to help them help us.
I really don’t care for any of these options. The first option just allows for more congestion due to more lights. Options two and three are business killers. Overpass will keep people from stopping and option three will displace existing structures. I think for the town and land owners, you have to go with option one.