84th Recap: Transportation – Heavy Weight/Oversized Moving
The Overweight Corridor Program at the Texas Department of Transportation provides optional routes for certain port authorities for the movement of oversized or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on certain state highways. HB 1321 passed this session to amend the existing program to now designate both the intersection of North Velasco Boulevard and South Avenue J in the City of Freeport to the entrance of Port Freeport using North Velasco Boulevard and Farm-to-Market Road 1495, as well as 21441 Loop 419 in the city of Sweeny to the entrance of Port Freeport using Loop 419, State Highways 35 and 36, and Farm-to-Market Road 1495, as two new most direct routes.
Another bill that passed this session dealing with a specific area in the state in regards to heavy weight and oversized moving permits was SB 1059 which targeted the Port of Corpus Christi. Growing shipping and refinery industries have increased cargo traffic in Texas ports and resulted in an abundance of large freight trucks. Currently, the Port of Corpus Christi Authority may issue oversize and overweight vehicle permits, but this authorization is limited to vehicles carrying cargo on state highway special freight corridors in only one county. SB 1059 expands this permit authorization to certain other roads and routes, which will allow for the efficient movement of cargo and further economic growth generated by the port.
The roads impacted by the passage of SB 1059 are: U.S. Highway 181 between its intersection with Burleson Street in the city of Corpus Christi and its intersection with County Road 3567 (Midway Road) in San Patricio County; State Highway 35 between its intersection with Burleson Street in the city of Corpus Christi and its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 3512; State Highway 361 between its intersection with State Highway 35 and its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 1069 (Main Street) in the city of Ingleside; and proposed State Highway 200 between its intersection with State Highway 361 and its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 1069 (Main Street) in the city of Ingleside, if the proposed highway is constructed.
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