Letters to the Editor
Better Options Need to be Developed by TxDot
To the Editor:
TXDOT is currently conducting a feasibility study to develop a $230-300 million dollar bypass of US 77 to improve safety. Given the potential impact on the community, several families are concerned about lack of resident knowledge regarding this proposal, and the short turnaround time for comments, which are due Friday Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. (go to https:// www.txdot.gov/projects/ hearings-meetings/yoakum/ us77-la-grange-feasibilitystudy- 100523.html for more information).
At a public meeting on Oct 5, TXDOT presented three bypass options: two creating new throughways west of town, and one east. We are disappointed there was no discussion/option for improving safety of the existing throughway and no option based on expanding existing roads, e.g FM 2436 & FM 609.
We would like safety improvement options that more directly address the causes of accidents (which their studies show are largely related to drivers’ behaviors such as excessive speed and distractions), and additional consideration for using existing roads rather than cutting through some of our increasingly precious undeveloped farmland and forestry.
Such options could achieve safety goals more quickly while significantly reducing cost, disruption, and impact on the environment and families. For instance, the east option would likely impinge on the habitat of rare/endangered animals and has potential as a nature reserve, which could render it an infeasible option once environmental impact studies are conducted.
Finally, the impact of imminent domain land claims is not trivial. The history of our family’s land, which would be affected by one of the three options proposed, provides an illustration. My Great Grandfather worked tirelessly to finally be able to purchase 174 acres just outside of La Grange – and apparently more tirelessly to keep it together. His desire was to have a home for his family for generations. In the years that followed, the State of Texas’ use of eminent domain cut up his dream land into a patchwork of properties which he was forced to sell off over time. In the 1920’s, the development of Hwy 71 divided the property in half, making it too difficult to manage livestock, so he had to sell the north half.
Later, the railroad divided the remaining half again, which forced additional acreage to be sold off. But he still held onto the heart of the ranch that had his favorite parts – the great live oak (A&M estimates it one of the largest in Texas with an estimated age of 650+ years old), the Blue Hole (La Grange’s first public swimming “pool” with the names of swimmers still hand etched into its limestone formation), and the original house, which is still in use.
More recently I have witnessed the environmental and economic effects of the Hwy 71 bypass. Its environmental studies did not adequately consider the impact; as a result, diverted stormwater regularly overfills a lake, causing flooding and virtually destroying the Blue Hole. And with the added dirt and silt, the lake is currently one foot deep. So although the bypass was not situated directly on the property, the impact was crushing.
We urge residents to submit comments to TXDOT by Friday at 5 p.m., asking the state to develop additional options with less financial and environmental impact, as well as fewer years of construction disruption to our community, while achieving the safety goals they have set.
Let us take control of the direction of La Grange’s future so it can grow and prosper for everyone’s benefit.