Bill Filed to Ban 18-Wheelers on Bluff
Texas Senator Lois Kolkhorst filed a bill last Thursday that would make it possible for Fayette County officials to restrict commercial truck traffic on the Bluff south of La Grange.
For years, many local residents have wished for a mandatory truck route that send 18-wheelers around the curvy switchbacks on US 77 south of the Colorado River Bridge. There is a sign recommending trucks to detour around the Bluff via FM 2436 through Hostyn and FM 609 to La Grange.
Currently, state law does not authorize county governments to prohibit commercial traffic on state or federal highways. In some cases, municipal governments can restrict trucks to a certain route, but the entire route has to be within the city limits. The section of US 77 on the Bluff lies in unincorporated territory, so the City of La Grange can’t prohibit truck traffic there, either.
The legislation that Kolkhorst filed last Thursday, Senate Bill 1053, would give the Fayette County Commissioners Court the authority to restrict commercial traffic on the Bluff. If passed, the bill would only apply to “a county that contains Interstate Highway 10 and U.S. Highway 77” — in other words, just Fayette County.
The bill would allow commissioners to restrict commercial traffic to a route designated by the County. The Commissioners Court would have to post notices of the new route and hold a public hearing. Furthermore, the bill establishes a process for owners or operators of commercial vehicles to appeal to the County Judge if the restrictions impact their operations.
“During several meetings with members and leaders of the Fayette County community, I was made aware of the safety concerns with the La Grange switchback along US 77,” Kolkhorst told the Record on Monday. “They cited specific issues and I listened. I have also visited with the Texas Department of Transportation about the numerous truck accidents that have occurred at this location.
“Because I drive the route often while traveling across Senate District 18, I understood their complaints about how conditions can be dangerous,” she added “That’s why I’ve filed SB 1053 to give Fayette County the tools it needs to protect its citizens.”
The bill might face some challenges getting to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk during this busy legislative session. Texas lawmakers are tackling numerous high-profile issues right now ranging from COVID-19 to the statewide electrical grid failures last month.
Furthermore, Kolkhorst said legislative committees are not expected to hear the normal volume of bills this session due to COVID-19. However, Kolkhorst said she will encourage her colleagues in the Senate to help pass this local bill so it can reach the Governor’s desk.