Proposed Highway 36A segments to be part of H-GAC regional transportation plan

By George Slaughter, News Editor
Posted 1/18/22

Two segments of a proposed Highway 36A are being added to the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Government Regional Transportation Plan.

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Proposed Highway 36A segments to be part of H-GAC regional transportation plan

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Two segments of a proposed Highway 36A are being added to the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Government Regional Transportation Plan.

Craig Raborn, H-GAC transportation director, said the plan will be updated by mid-2022 to reflect these additions.

He made his comments at a recent breakfast sponsored by the Highway 36A Coalition. According to its website, the coalition is a group of local governments, elected officials, private businesses, and individuals working to develop a regional transportation infrastructure from the Brazosport area to Hempstead.

The website said the group’s goals are to improve evacuation routes, facilitate domestic and international trade, enhance economic opportunity and provide more efficient mobility.

Raborn said some minor final steps were needed before the segments could be formally included in the transportation plan.

“They are not technically in the plan yet due to some air quality requirements we have to go through,” Raborn said in a news release. “But we think that will be wrapped up end of spring, early summer, and then they will be formally in the plan.”

H-GAC estimates both projects together will cost about $2.4 billion.

“The southern leg will be in the plan as to be funded in 2037; and the north segment would be in by 2040, but that may change,” Raborn said. “That timing will be a little more precise as we move forward.”

Raborn said the project continues to be committed to avoiding any impacts to the Katy Prairie Conservancy.

“There was a condition relating to the 36A North piece that as the Texas Department of Transportation developed the project it should avoid impacts to the Katy Prairie Conservancy.” Raborn said, adding that the condition has continued with the project.

Raborn said the 36A projects were among many amendments that the transportation committee considered. The body gathered about 75 comments from the public on those projects. A third of the comments supported 36A.

Highway 36A Coalition Chairman Robert Pechukas welcomed Raborn’s update.

“We are excited about the inclusion of our projects in the transportation plan;” Pechukas said. “Our inclusion in the transportation plan, along with our ongoing Texas Department of Transportation study, shows that we are on the right track when it comes to solving our region’s mobility and freight movement needs."

H-GAC Executive Director Chuck Wemple said the organization will work to identify projects that align with current and future government funding priorities.

“So when you think about technology, moving freight and goods, and improving safety, that will help position this project and others for improved chances of funding, because those are incredibly important priorities,” Wemple said.

The event also featured updates on Port Freeport’s ongoing projects by Port Commissioner Shane Pirtle.

The coalition said work continues on a transportation study that will analyze potential routes for a 36A mobility/freight corridor. Texas Department of Transportation staff are meeting with stakeholders and gathering feedback.

Highway 36A, development, Texas Department of Transportation