1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.

Washington, DC 20590

In Reply Refer To: HCR-20

DOT# 2015-0124
Ms. Erin Gaines
Attorney at Law
Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, Inc.
4920 N. IH-35
Austin, TX 78751
Subject: Acknowledgement and Acceptance of Complaint DOT # 2015-0124
Dear Ms. Gaines:
This letter acknowledges that the Federal Highway Administrations (FHWA) Office of Civil
Rights has received and accepted this complaint of discrimination filed by Texas Rio Grande
Legal Aid, Inc. on behalf of Ms. Jean Salone and Ms. Rosie Porter, residents of the Hillcrest
neighborhood of Corpus Christi, Texas, against the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT). Your complaint was received in this office on March 13, 2015, and alleges a violation
of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and its implementing regulations, including
Title VI regulations administered by the United States Department of Transportation (49 Code of
Federal Regulations, Part 21) and the Federal Highway Administration (23 Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 200).
We have reviewed your complaint and determined that the investigation will focus on the
following allegations:

Whether TxDOTs selection of the Red Route alternative for the new Harbor Bridge
construction in Corpus Christi, Texas, in the Final Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS), lacked adequate consultation with and mitigation for the predominantly
minority communities affected by the new Harbor Bridge, in violation of Title VI;
Whether TxDOTs selection of the Red Route alternative for the new Harbor Bridge
in the Final EIS violates Title VI because of its siting in a disproportionately minority
community, having a disproportionate effect on persons on the basis of race, color, or
national origin;
Whether TxDOT intentionally discriminated against persons of color residing in the
neighborhoods of Hillcrest and Washington Coles by allegedly implementing
discriminatory procedures during the environmental impact assessment, including the
alleged lack of meaningful of public participation made available on the basis of race,
color, or national origin.

The complaint has been assigned to Mr. Ryan Fitzpatrick, of FHWAs Office of Civil Rights, for
investigation. Mr. Fitzpatrick will keep you informed regarding the investigation of your
complaint. You may contact Mr. Fitzpatrick at (202) 366-1583, or via e-mail at
ryan.fitzpatrick@dot.gov.

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Please be advised that no one may intimidate, threaten, coerce, or engage in other discriminatory
conduct against anyone because he or she has either taken action or participated in an action to
secure rights protected by the civil rights requirements that we enforce. Any individual alleging
such harassment or intimidation may file a complaint with the FHWA. Any questions or
concerns that you have regarding the investigative process and your rights can be discussed with
the investigator.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, it may be necessary to release this document and related
correspondence and records upon request. Therefore, enclosed for your information are the
Complainant Consent/Release Form and the Notice of Investigatory Uses of Personal
Information fact sheet. Please sign and date the Complainant Consent/Release Form and
return to this office in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope.
In the event that we receive such a request, we will seek to protect, to the extent provided by law,
personal information, which, if released, could constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
Sincerely,

Nichole McWhorter
Nichole McWhorter
Division Manager
Coordination and Compliance Division
cc: Al Alonzi, Division Administrator, FHWAs Texas Division Office
Mark Arrington, Civil Rights Specialist, FHWAs Texas Division Office