By Commissioner Andy Meyers, Fort Bend County, Precinct 3
After years of meticulous studies and engaging with the public, you now have a splendid opportunity to voice your support for a project that promises to transform our county. This initiative will improve safety, connectivity, and our county’s potential to attract lucrative investments and generate high-paying jobs. Mind you, the deadline for your input is swiftly approaching this Friday, September 12th. But, before diving in, allow me to furnish you with the necessary details.
Contents
Safeguarding Families and Livelihoods
With our region’s population burgeoning at an unprecedented rate, establishing a designated, well-planned hurricane evacuation route is paramount. The State Highway (SH) 36A is crucial for helping thousands of residents from Brazoria and Fort Bend Counties escape dangerous storm conditions. This thoughtfully sized route will help families dodge the most precarious aspects of hurricanes, including storm surges and high winds, by steering them to safer inland areas.
Addressing Traffic Congestion
Rapidly growing regions like ours are plagued by traffic congestion. The influx of new inhabitants often surpasses infrastructure development, leading to gridlock and longer travel times. These issues diminish our quality of life. Unfortunately, projects like SH 36A require considerable time to plan, fund, and execute. Planning began a decade ago, and has since undergone extensive feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and public consultations.
Improving Freight Capacity
The SH 36A project is pivotal for managing the burgeoning freight traffic at Port Freeport. The port, aspiring to become Texas’s deepest, is expanding its capacity to manage bulk, containers, and more. As a hub for petrochemical exports and imports, the increase in truck traffic necessitates a safer transportation route. Currently, the two-lane Highway 36 isn’t equipped to handle this growth, making SH 36A essential for our economic future.
Diversifying Our Economy
Fort Bend County is largely a bedroom community. Families settle here for its wonderful planned communities and top-notch schools. However, many residents travel to Houston and beyond for work, spending 30 minutes or more commuting. This situation is mirrored in our revenue structure, as over 75% comes from residential taxpayers—a trend that’s unsustainable long-term.
The SH 36A project will attract commercial and industrial investments, fostering employment centres across Fort Bend County. Freight-dependent firms will prompt demand for supportive services and associated industries, creating numerous well-paying jobs. This diversification will bolster Fort Bend County’s economy and lessen its reliance on residential taxes.
Be Informed & Voice Your Support
Recently, TxDOT hosted both in-person and online public scoping meetings to share insights about the project, including eight proposed routes. All materials from these meetings are available online. Please spare a moment to review them and submit your comments to TxDOT, supporting the project through the online form by this Friday.
Watch the SH 36A South project video.
Review TxDOT’s SH 36A public scoping meeting materials.
Submit your support for the SH 36A South project.
