The state’s statewide and rural road connectivity program supports our economy and population growth through the efficient movement of people and goods, and the proposed highway 36A corridor is a key part of the state’s plans for developing that system, according to Caroline Mays, Director of Planning and Modal programs for TxDOT.

Mays was the speaker at a May 2 luncheon for 36A at Marriott Westchase, 2900 Briarpark in Houston. Mays spent a significant portion of her remarks on the importance of Texas Trunk System, a rural network of four-lane divided highways or better. Its purpose is to serve as the principal connector for Texas cities with more than 20,000 in population and major activity centers, including border ports of entry and maritime ports – such as Port Freeport.

A huge state like Texas has multiple economic activity centers, and those communities need to have efficient roadway connections in order to promote their mutual interests, Mays said.

“Why do we focus on the statewide connectivity? Again, it’s not a surprise to a lot of you here. The economic activities in the state of Texas is spread all over the state of Texas. Not just one region”

The statewide and rural connectivity corridors help promote the cause of economic development, freight movement, population growth, alternate routes and congestion relief, and safety for all the regions of Texas, Mays said.

The state identified five key corridors for the program, and has devoted funding to develop those corridors, turning key two-lane and four-lane undivided roadways into four-lane divided roadways. However, significant funding gaps remain to complete the work, Mays said.

“We've made some progress but we have a lot to do to move these corridors to 4-lane divided highways throughout the state of Texas.”

As for 36A, it currently is identified as one of the state’s ten Statewide Connectivity Corridors of Interest that will support the aforementioned 5 Key Corridors; this identifies SH 36 and 36A as a priority for further development. These connectivity corridors fulfill several key priorities for the state, including providing connectivity to its Trunk System and 5 Key Corridors, serving as part of the Texas Highway Freight Network, serving as an international trade corridor, functioning as evacuation routes for hurricanes and other emergencies, and relieving interstate traffic demand. 36A meets most of these criteria currently. Although the current corridor of interest planning involves existing SH 36 only, once 36A’s EIS study is completed, that will be updated to include an approved thoroughfare as indicated by the study, Mays said.

In addition, the criteria for the corridors of interest when it comes to international trade currently focus only on Mexico trade. The state will be updating those criteria to include international trade through the state’s ports, including Port Freeport, whose Channel Harbor Improvement Project will increase the channel’s depth to 56 feet, making it the deepest port on the Texas Gulf Coast and dramatically increasing freight traffic to the port.

“Highway 36A is an important project for us,” Mays said.

Highway 36A Chairman Shane Pirtle said he appreciates the state’s recognition of the vital role a proposed 36A highway corridor plays in meeting the state’s regional transportation needs.

“Our coalition is pleased with TxDOT’s support and we will continue our efforts to promote this vital corridor,” Pirtle said afterward.