On August 30, 2007 the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Grand Parkway Association (GPA) held a public meeting at the George Ranch Historical Park in Rosenberg regarding the proposed construction of Segment C Toll Road of the Grand Parkway, which would go from Interstate 59 to State Highway 288, through Fort bend and Brazoria Counties.

At the meeting there were large visual image boards of the preferred alternative route on easels, a court reporter for oral comments, and TxDOT and consultant personnel to answer questions. About 200 citizens attended and were vocal about their opposition to the proposed toll road. Eighteen people spoke at the public comment session and only two spoke in favor of Segment C Toll Road. In particular, citizens from Brazos Lakes, Great Wood, Bridal Wood Estates, and other local communities and neighborhoods were concerned about the proposed location of the highway and its visual, air pollution, and noise pollution impacts. The most frequent phrase used was, "No Toll, No Road".

The Sierra Club, Citizens Transportation Coalition, and Gulf Coast Institute brought up financial problems (Segment C Toll Road is estimated to cost $582 million and the entire 170 mile Grand Parkway is estimated to cost $5.4 billion); that the money would be better spent in places where people live and where congestion is (there are only 4,000 people that live along the length of project after its first three miles); the impacts on the Brazos River Floodplain; impacts on Brazos Bend State Park; and that the goals of the regional transportation plan would not be met by Segment C Toll Road.

It is never too late to express your opposition. Send you letter against Segment C Toll Road of the Grand Parkway to:

1) Mr. David Gornet, Executive Director, The Grand Parkway Association, 4544 Post Oak Place, Suite 222, Houston, Texas 77027

2) Mr. Gary K. Trietsch, P.E., Texas Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251-1386

3) Ms. Janice W. Brown, District Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Building, Room 826, 300 8th Street, Austin, Texas 78701-2483.

For more information contact Brandt Mannchen at 713-664-5962 or brandtshnfbt@juno.com .

November 2007

Last updated:  11/05/2007.   Content © 1999-2007 by the Sierra Club.