With Every Meeting, Bypass Divide Widens

If Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) builds a bypass around the Bluff, which way should it go?

TxDOT recommended a route through the Creamer Creek Rd. area to the west of the current US 77 alignment. But folks in that area don’t want it.

The agency said it wants resolutions of support from the La Grange City Council and the Fayette County Commissioners Court before spending the hundreds of millions of dollars it would take to build a new highway. The project will not cost the City or County any money. But Tx-DOT wants support from local political leaders before it seeks funding for the project.

Two weeks ago, Creamer Creek Rd. resident Clara Smith asked the City Council and Commissioners Court to petition TxDOT to change the route. Smith advocated for the eastern route that TxDOT had considered before recommending the western route through the area where she lives.

Two citizens spoke at the La Grange City Council meeting Monday night about Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) plan to reroute US 77 around the Bluff.

On Monday, Ben Perry spoke in opposition to Smith’s proposal. Perry, a retired surveyor, said he understands the topography of the Bluff area well.

“I know Creamer Creek Rd.,” Perry said. “I know the people out there. I know the Smiths, and they’re good people. We all have an opinion. We all need to be heard. That’s OK. But in my opinion … the logistics are better for the west side. The geometry is better. It displaces fewer people. There’s not as much wildlife.”

Perry said he sees bald eagles, turkey, deer, bobcats, lynx, and beaver on his property. The “Blue Hole,” a oncepopular swimming spot, lies on Perry’s property. Perry said he worries about the impact to such features if TxDOT were to build the eastern route, which called for a new bridge across the Colorado River.

“The last thing I want to see for my grandkids is the bypass and that bridge going over the river,” Perry said. “Let’s either do it on the west side or abandon it.”

Michael Pechal, who owns property on FM 609 in the path of TxDOT’s recommended route, also spoke at the meeting.

“Go to Hostyn and take that road behind the church,” Pechal said. “Look at that view of Fayette County. And then visualize eight miles of concrete as opposed to two or three hundred trees that will disappear. I know everybody has got their point of view. But once it’s gone, it’s gone. Your jobs are temporary. That eyesore will be here forever. My property would pretty well be useless, because it will go right through the middle of it. I’m not going to sell it, but how will my kids sell it? It’ll be pennies on the dollar.

“I don’t know what the solution is,” Pechal added. “Traffic is a problem everywhere. The trucks – just because they disobey yield signs and warning signs, and go down the Bluff, why should that be my fault? Why should I have to pay the price?”

So far, neither the City Council nor Commissioners Court have taken any action on TxDOT’s request for support.