TxDOT Releases New Highway 77 Route Recommendation

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) completed a feasibility study concerning truck traffic on US 77 through La Grange. The study recommends that TxDOT develop a relief route to carry truck traffic on US 77 through the Hostyn area, around the Bluff and away from the center of town.

Construction could still be years away, if it ever happens at all. TxDOT says it does not currently have any funding for the project, which is estimated to cost more than $300 million.

“At this time there is no funding identified for additional phases of project development or for construction of the recommended route,” TxDOT said in a press release issued April 11.

The “preferred alternative” route would run to the north of FM 2436 through the Hostyn area, crossing Creamer Creek and Buckner’s Creek, and then follow FM 609 towards the west side of La Grange. The route would veer north near the old Ron’s Automotive property and then join SH 71 at the highway bypass near Sealand and the new RV park. TxDOT held two open house meetings last year as part of the study. At that time, they proposed three alternative routes for the new roadway - two that ran through the Hostyn area west of the current US 77 alignment and a third route to the east of US 77. The eastern route would have required a new bridge across the Colorado River that connected to the SH 71 bypass at Ellinger Rd. TxDOT said it abandoned that route based on negative feedback from the public.

“With the feedback provided, it was clear that a vast majority of the public comments were not in favor of Alternative 3,” TxDOT said in the Feasibility Study Report. “Alternative 2 was, overall, the most accepted alternative by the public. Thus, the Preferred Alternative was developed by refining Alternative 2.”

In addition, TxDOT said, “Alternative 3 would have the greatest construction difficulty and disruption due to the railroad crossing, the proposed interchange at FM 155, and the Colorado River crossing.”

“Should TxDOT move forward with subsequent phases of project development, additional detailed studies and evaluations of environmental and community impacts will be performed that include assessment of potential impacts to private property, cultural and historical resources, natural resources and other considerations,” TxDOT said in the press release last week. “Subsequent design phases would also include further evaluation of the pathway the preferred alignment would take with an emphasis on reducing impacts to the community and natural environment. Additional opportunities for the community to be involved and provide input would also be incorporated into future phases.”

The results of the study, including maps of the proposed route, are available on the Open House webpage: https://www.txdot.gov/projects/hearings-meetings/yoakum/2023/us77-la-grange-feasibility-study-100523.html.