Concerns expressed in TxDOT workshop

‘If that hospital goes bye-bye, we’re done for’:

WOODVILLE – Tyler County Commissioner’s Court held a second workshop regarding the US Hwy 69 Relief Route last Thursday, June 20 at 5.

The agenda for this workshop included: reviewing alternative options proposed by Steve Pittman and Greg Adams and discussing an alternative option for Hwy 69 corridor to submit to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

County Judge Milton Powers began by thanking Pittman and Adams for all the hard work they have done for Tyler County in getting these revised maps/routes finalized. Powers said, “everything I have read, I am so thankful for all their hard work, they have put in a lot of hours on this, we are truly blessed to have them both, great citizens here in Tyler County to help and work for us and to offer their time and talent”.

Steve Pittman spoke first, and said, “about three weeks ago, the county judge and the commissioners approached us after we had done some work in looking at Colmesneil and how we might utilize the railroad right-of-way in Colmesneil for the purpose of the Hwy 69 expansion project. It caught their attention that it was a pretty interesting plan as the railroad right-of-way is 200 feet already, so it presents an opportunity to use that railroad right-of-way and a little additional purchase to get through Colmesneil with no disruption to homes, businesses, or churches. We presented that plan to Mike Marshall, Commissioner of Pct #3, he took it to the other commissioners and the county judge, and that activity got expanded.”

Pittman commented further, “the court asked to see if we could duplicate it throughout the county, so we took it upon ourselves at their request to map out the entire railroad right-of-way and to be able to determine could we get through Tyler County in an effective way using the railroad right-of-way, and if we could, what impact that would be to businesses, homes, and churches”.

As of press time, TxDOT has identified two routes through Tyler County. The western route would impact 15 homes; 1600+ acres of land and require 400’ right-of-way. The eastern route would impact 46 homes; five businesses; 1200+ acres of land and require 400’ right-of-way.

The new route which Steve Pittman and Greg Adams have mapped out, which is being called the Tyler County Commissioner’s Proposal for I 69 would impact 12 homes (two in Warren, six in Hillister, and four in Woodville), zero businesses, 350-360+acres of land, and require only 240’ of right-ofway.

Pittman and Adams took the railroad route and made intelligent empathetic changes that minimized the impact. They were able to determine a route that would allow 25 miles north and south, taking out only 10 to 12 homes, which they believe that half of the homes are moveable, either mobile homes, RV’s or homes on blocks. There are also no businesses or churches impacted with the plan they are putting forward.

Powers said “my biggest concern has been the economy of Tyler County, if the route does go west. I am very concerned about the problems we would have trying to keep businesses afloat. It is a very big thing that we are worried about. The eastern route is not a good one as well.”

Woodville mayor Amy Bythewood said, “I spoke with our state senator Robert Nichols and I let him know real quick that the city of Woodville and Tyler County are united when it comes to this issue. We are united when it comes to being able to sustain our businesses, that we are opposed to a route that circumvents most of Tyler County, that we are looking towards an eastern route that’s being proposed, so he is really aware that the community as a whole is united in this issue”.

U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-Woodville) was present at the meeting and had some words to impart to the audience. He said “I am here to listen to my constituents. I am here to support you. I want to know what this is going to do to where I call home for the past 45 years, and we want to make sure that we don’t kill this little town.”

Babin expressed concern for the Tyler County Hospital. “I have served on the staff of the hospital for 35 years. If that hospital goes bye-bye, we’re done for a retirement community and most of us who live here are 65 and up. Whatever the commissioners, judge and city do, I am going to support it. This resolution that you all are considering looks like the best scenario that you can make out of a bad situation. The ramifications of this thing impacts everybody in this county. No one is going to be untouched by this, and as the former mayor of this town, former board member of WISD, and your congressman, I want to know what’s going to be best and I have heard the word unify a number of times tonight and this is exactly what this county needs to do”.

Powers closed out the meeting when he said, “we want to see this community continue to thrive and grow. The only way we can do this is to work together and we are going to continue to work to work together for Tyler County”.