“It’s not appropriate here,” Council Member Trent Perez said.
Representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation presented the project to elevate Hwy. 35 to council for discussion at the council's April 26 meeting. The project has not received funding.
The elevated highway was presented as an easier travel option for Alvin citizens to drive into Downtown Houston. It would be more useful for Alvin residents if TxDOT would finish the Grand Parkway extension and connect the road to I-45, Perez said.
Other reasons TxDOT representatives gave for the project were population growth and a potential evacuation route.
The elevated Hwy. 35 project was originally presented in the 1970s as a toll road. After the State Legislature eliminated any more toll roads being built by TxDOT, TxDOT has redone the project as a non-tolled highway, according to the city agenda.
“I think the bigger question for our voters and our constituents is, do we want it coming through our town?” Mayor Kevin Cole said.
The project is out for public comment through April 28. If the project is added to the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Regional Transportation Plan, TxDOT will be able to move forward with planning the project.
