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Commissioners study Bluewater reconstruction

Posted Monday, October 6, 2008

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Reconstruction of CR 257, the Bluewater Highway, which extends from the city limits of Surfside to the San Luis Pass Bridge leading to Galveston, was addressed Brazoria County Commissioners Court last week.

Tom Ramsey of Klotz told the court that Commissioner Donald "Dude" Payne, in whose precinct the road is located, had asked him to look at the damage from Hurricane Ike.

Herb Smith of Baker & Lawson, an Angleton engineering firm, and several other people were also present at that time, he said. Ramsey presented a proposed outline of services to meet immediate emergency needs.

Funding would be provided in large part by the State of Texas, managing emergency response through the use of FEMA funds, he said, emphasizing that it is extremely important for Brazoria County to define the costs of this work and apply for funding to the government official right away.

Ramsey said this county is seeking 100 percent of funding, though some have said the request would cover only 75 percent of the cost to restore the road.

"We need to clearly communicate the issues and explain how severe the impact (of Hurricane Ike) was on Brazoria County," he said. The Texas General Land Office has said it would require $50 million to $100 million to provide a revetment wall and/or dunes restoration project, and to rebuild this county road, Ramsey said.

"The GLO is moving forward immediately on the stretch of beach from Surfside to San Luis Pass," he said. "Over the next three to four weeks they will focus on the rest of the beaches and dunes."

The GLO has already contracted with Coast & Harbor Engineering to provide a design/build for this project. Commissioner Payne is working closely with the GLO on this process.

The beach work "has a lot to do with how the road is reconstructed," Ramsey said.

CenterPoint Energy has told Payne that restoration of electrical service will stop at the east end of Surfside, Ramsey said.

After looking at this alignment of road, Payne told CenterPoint to go ahead with the restoration of electricity all the way to 5426 Bluewater Highway.

"Right now, we have a lot of flex, because we need a quick response," he said. "Much of the area needs fill."

Commissioner Payne said leftover rock material from the revetment project the GLO just completed on Beach Drive in Surfside has been used in one section of CR 257 to keep the Bay from breaching into the Gulf.

This measure "makes a lot of sense," Ramsey said. "I have talked with the Office of Emergency Management," he said. "They will coordinate with agencies other than FEMA, so Brazoria County can reconstruct and rebuild that road."

At one place, the waters of the Gulf are within ten feet of the bay side of the existing road, and it is important to avoid that breach, he said, explaining that a number of ecological issues are involved.

"This is urgent, and you want to do something here immediately, to protect the estuaries," he said. County Engineer Gerald Roberts will have to approve what would be done, working with Klotz and Baker & Lawson.

"You need to protect the road's right-of-way, as well as getting it reconstructed," Ramsey said. He explained that it is important to cooperate with the GLO's plans, and to leave the reconstructed area on the county's present easement to avoid delays and problems that might be involved in seeking a new right-of-way.

Payne said letters have been sent to senators and congressmen outlining the county's request for $100 million for this project. “The county does not have the funds to rebuild this road," he said.

Commissioner Jack Harris had questions regarding funding in the Project Cooperation Agreement between Brazoria County and the General Land Office. The GLO would fund the entire project up front, with CEPRA funds, he was told. Harris said he wanted it to be clear that if the state did not come up with this, "all bets are off."

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