The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has announced plans to reconstruct and widen an 11-mile stretch of US Highway 90 between FM 563 and SH 61 in Liberty County. A public hearing on the proposed project was held on Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Liberty Center inside Liberty City Hall, where residents were invited to learn more and provide feedback.
The project aims to address the increasing traffic demands that currently overwhelm the existing two-lane divided highway. The proposed improvements would expand US 90 to a four-lane highway, with two lanes in each direction. In non-urban areas, the highway would include divided medians, and turning lanes would be added throughout the project area. These changes are expected to reduce congestion, enhance mobility, and improve safety by upgrading the highway to modern design standards.
The reconstruction would require widening the right-of-way from the current 120 feet to as much as 250 feet in some areas. This expansion may displace four residences and 10 non-residential structures, including seven active and three vacant properties. TxDOT has assured the public that relocation assistance will be provided to affected property owners and businesses.
Among the properties potentially affected by the project are Wickliff’s Gas and Grocery in Ames, Maxwell Farm in Devers, and the Ames Freedom Colony Historic District. The project is being developed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and will be funded by the Federal Highway Administration. Construction costs are estimated at $180 million.
The section of US 90 slated for reconstruction serves as a critical hurricane evacuation route, a major freight corridor, and the nearest parallel alternative to Interstate 10. To improve traffic flow and safety, the stretch from FM 1909 to west of Raywood and from east of Raywood to SH 61 will feature travel directions separated by a wider grassy median ranging from 32 to 76 feet.
The planning process for this project has been ongoing for several years. The first public hearing was held in March 2020 and drew 159 attendees. From February to March 2021, TxDOT conducted an online survey that attracted 433 visitors, with 275 participants providing feedback. The Nov. 14, 2024, public hearing saw dozens of local participants.
Information on the TxDOT Relocation Assistance Program, as well as details about the tentative schedule for right-of-way acquisition and construction, can be obtained by contacting the TxDOT District office at 409-898-5732. If you have questions about the project, send an email to bmtprojects@txdot.gov or call the number listed above. The deadline to submit comments for the summary report is Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Don’t trust txdot get your house asset by someone u trust the state is low ball u
I’m 42 years old and they’ve been talking about widening 90 since I was a kid. Txdot is fixing to steal property in Ames and Raywood but they’ll give those Rice/cattle farmers top dollars for property.