March 21, 2005

State of Texas 

The "Texas Hurricane Preparedness" report, released last week by Governor Rick Perry, includes recommendations on evacuation routes in Southeast Texas.

The report recommended the reopening of State Highway 87 between Sabine Pass and High Island, which has been closed for several years because of severe shoreline erosion.  

"However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has denied a state request, citing environmental concerns," the report noted.  "Texas will continue efforts to obtain an environmental clearance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."

The report added that the Texas Department of Transportation will assess the amount of funding necessary for the project "after the federal government provides an environmental clearance."  The United States Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a feasibility study of erosion control between Sabine Pass and San Luis Pass.

The governor's report called for the elimination of two critical "choke points" on State Highway 146 between FM 1764 and FM 646 in southeast Galveston County, where the highway narrows from two lanes to one lane at the two points.

"Both county and city officials raised concerns that this could create a bottleneck that will significantly delay evacuation traffic," the report said.  "To address these concerns, TxDOT will add a southbound frontage road at the Dickinson Bayou Bridge and a mainland bridge over Loop 197 to remedy both of these choke points."

The report added that TxDot will address the project with existing funds.

The report noted that a third project in Southeast Texas, the widening of FM 365 from U.S. 69 to Spur 63 in Jefferson County, will be pursued by the City of Port Arthur through the pass through toll program.  The city will do the work and will be reimbursed by TxDOT based on the number of vehicles that use the roadway.

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