Crews are slated to start raising State Highway 87 near High Island from Rollover Pass to State Highway 124 this month.
Highway 87 will be raised to 7.5 feet above sea level. The road is currently at 5.5 feet, according to a news release from TxDOT.
The construction project plans raise the road with asphalt, beach nourishment, dune restoration and reconfiguring the curved intersection between 87 and 125.
TxDOT officials said they hope this addresses the Bolivar community's concerns, which include water overtaking the road during high tides and significant weather events.
The project is scheduled to be finished by fall 2019 and will cost about $21 million dollars.
From the Texas Department of Transportation...
TxDOT will begin work to raise a portion of SH 87 on the Bolivar Peninsula from Rollover Pass to SH 124 up to 7.5-feet above sea level this month. It is currently 5.5-feet above sea level. The project includes raising the roadway using asphalt, beach nourishment, dune restoration and reconfiguring the curved intersection of SH 87 at SH 124.
The $21 million construction project will be constructed by Oldcastle Materials Texas Inc. The project will help to prevent water from overtaking the road during times of high tide and significant weather. In addition to raising the road, the curve on High Island at SH 87 and SH 124 will be reconfigured to provide a smooth transition between the two highways and also to provide a greater distance for enhanced beach protection.
“The Bolivar community presented concerns about SH 87 on the east end of the peninsula and we brought in a great team, including TxDOT personnel and consultants, to help us determine the best way to address those concerns,” said Quincy Allen, TxDOT Houston District Engineer. “We were able to allocate funds for this project and move it forward to improve conditions on SH 87.”
Construction will be done in phases, and the contractor will sequence the work in order to minimize traffic delay times and impacts on local residents and businesses. The project is anticipated to be completed in fall 2019.
There may be temporary lane closures affecting motorists on SH 87 during the project. Scheduled lane closure information is available on the Houston TranStar website.
