TxDOT Asks LG Council to Support Bluff Bypass Project

Representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) visited the La Grange City Council Monday night to gauge support for the proposed US 77 realignment around the Bluff.

TxDOT held two open house meetings in La Grange last year to gather public input about a relief route for US 77. The new section of highway would divert traffic, especially 18-wheelers, away from the curvy Bluff road just south of the Colorado River.

TxDOT developed three options for the new route. One would closely follow the current alignment of FM 2436 and FM 609. Another route would have taken a more easterly route with a new bridge across the Colorado River near Camp Lone Star. It would have connected to SH 71 on the side of La Grange.

Another route, which TxDOT ultimately recommended, would veer to the west just north of the FM 2436 intersection. From there it would follow the terrain north of Hostyn and through the Creamer Creek area before connecting with SH 71 near the new RV park and Snappy’s Market on the west side of La Grange.

“Wewantedsomefeedback and comments, and boy did we get them,” said Jeff Vinklarek, director of transportation and planning for TxDOT’s Yoakum District. “I think we got 700-plus comments. We got good feedback. Based on those comments, we came up with a preferred route.”

Vinklarek said his office needs to request funding from the state for the project in order to proceed. He estimated the cost at $200-plus million.

“We’re not here to say, ‘This is what you need and you’ve got to have it,’ Vinklarek told the Council Monday night. “But if the City and the County support it, TxDOT will go looking for the money. I can’t promise you we’ll get the money. We won’t get it unless we ask for it. But we don’t want to ask for it if we don’t have local support.”

“If it gets funded, and if it gets built, what’s going to keep the gravel trucks coming from Weimar from turning north and going down the Bluff anyway?” asked Councilman Ken Taylor. (Otherwise) they’d have to turn south and catch the bypass to come into La Grange.”

“You’re right,” Vinklarek said. “There’s no way to restrict that. At the end of the day, they choose the least resistant route. With FM 155, you’re right, I don’t know if they’ll make that left turn.”

Taylor said he thought the eastern path would offer a more appealing route for truck drivers. But it affected more property owners.

“Yes, it makes a lot more sense to take that eastern route,” Vinklarek said. “But the comments we received, they were for sure (against it).

Councilwoman Violet Zbranek asked whether the new route would be mandatory for 18-wheelers.

“It still would not be mandatory,” Vinklarek said. “We can’t make it mandatory in the county at this point in time. The Legislature could change it. It was up two years ago and it did not pass … But with the design of this thing, I think they would use it.”

Vinklarek said the City will not have to commit any funds to the project.

“I’m not campaigning one way or the other,” Vinklarek said. “It’s whether y’all want it or not.”

City staff had prepared a resolution of support for the project. But there were some errors in the language, so Council took no action on it at Monday’s meeting. Staff will correct the errors and present it for Council’s consideration at a future meeting.