Public invited to provide input on 'Island Road' expansion plans

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxcDOT) will host an open house today, Thursday, Nov. 15, from 2-4:30 p.m. in the city council chamber to hear how Port Aransans feel about a proposal to improve State Hwy. 361 between Avenue G and Beach Access Road 1.

The project, which has been on drafting tables for more than three years, could include as much as adding an additional lane in each direction, plus center left-turn bays at some intersections. It may also include a raised median and a hike-and-bike trail.

The project could also include a "no-build" option, which means the highway would be left as it is.

The open house format means people can come, leave comments, get questions answered and leave as they wish. There is no formal agenda.

Following the open house, the project team will also make a presentation to the Port Aransas City Council at approximately 5 p.m. during the council 's regularly scheduled meeting.

TxDOT has set aside $8 million for the project already and engineers have been planning it for more than two years. The city is also contributing funds to the proposed project.