On July 17, 2025, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) held a public open house at Concordia Hall in Bellville to share the latest information and gather community feedback on a potential SH 36 relief route. The event, part of a formal feasibility study launched by TxDOT, focused on addressing traffic congestion, safety, and mobility challenges surrounding the City of Bellville in Austin County. The proposed relief route is being studied along a corridor extending from Old Highway 36 to FM 2429.
The open house format offered residents a more relaxed, conversational atmosphere compared to traditional town hall meetings. Community members were free to arrive and leave at their convenience during the two-hour window from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Upon arrival, guests were encouraged to sign in and then circulate through the hall to view large exhibit boards, maps, crash statistics, environmental considerations, and preliminary roadway design concepts. TxDOT staff and project consultants were on hand to answer questions, explain data, and listen to concerns.
The strong turnout led to the hall reaching maximum capacity early in the evening. To maintain compliance with local fire code regulations, event organizers began regulating entry by allowing four new attendees in for every group that exited. Despite this adjustment, the event remained low-key and welcoming, providing ample opportunity for attendees to engage with project materials and ask detailed questions.
Study Overview and Purpose
The SH 36 Relief Route Feasibility Study aims to assess the viability of constructing a bypass around Bellville to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance safety. SH 36 is a vital north-south corridor that connects communities and commercial routes across Texas. Within Bellville, the roadway experiences increasing volumes of traffic, especially commercial trucks, which contribute to congestion, crash risks, and reduced mobility through the city center.
TxDOT’s study area, as shown on the official map provided at the meeting, is defined by a dashed orange boundary encompassing the western and eastern outskirts of Bellville. The boundaries stretch from Old Highway 36 in the northwest to FM 2429 in the southeast. Key roads within the study area include SH 36, SH 159, FM 529, FM 1456, Koy Road, Mill Creek Road, Center Hill Road, Coshatte Road, and North Granville Street. The BNSF Railroad bisects the city, creating additional safety and traffic flow challenges.
Existing Conditions and Roadway Design
TxDOT provided technical descriptions of the current roadway configurations:
- North of Bellville: SH 36 includes three travel lanes (two northbound and one southbound), a continuous center left-turn lane, and 10-foot shoulders.
- South of Bellville: The roadway expands to four lanes (two in each direction), with four-foot inside shoulders, 10-foot outside shoulders, and a depressed median.
Future Roadway Concepts
Design proposals shown at the event depicted two phases:
- Phase 1 & 2 Typical Section: Two 12-foot lanes (one in each direction), with a depressed median and shoulder widths of 10 feet on one side and 4 feet on the other.
- Completed Typical Section: Two 12-foot lanes in each direction, separated by a depressed median, also with 10-foot and 4-foot shoulders. This configuration would accommodate higher traffic volumes and improve freight mobility.
Safety Analysis and Crash Data
Safety was a key topic of the evening. Data presented by TxDOT revealed:
- 175 total crashes occurred in the study area between 2020 and 2024.
- Of these, 14 involved commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).
- The study documented 1 fatal crash, 2 suspected serious injury crashes, and several more with possible or minor injuries.
Breakdown of contributing crash factors included:
- Driver inattention (42.7%)
- Failure to yield right of way (both turning left and at stop signs)
- Failure to control speed
A separate analysis of CMV-involved crashes showed:
- 61% were caused by driver inattention.
- 11% resulted from failing to control speed.
- 11% were due to improper turning.
- 17% were attributed to โother contributing factors.โ
Traffic Growth and Volume Projections
Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) data supported the argument for a relief route:
- In 2015, SH 36 within Bellville saw approximately 10,144 vehicles daily.
- By 2025, that figure is projected to reach over 14,000 vehicles per day.
- By 2035, the projection climbs to nearly 19,000 vehicles, with a commercial AADT increase from roughly 1,379 in 2015 to over 2,500 by 2035.
Environmental and Community Impact
In addition to roadway design and safety concerns, the study considers environmental constraints, including biological resources, water bodies, and historical or community assets. A separate board highlighted the feasibility study process and how environmental screening plays a role in identifying viable corridor options. TxDOT emphasized that any proposed route will undergo further design, environmental review, and public input before a final alignment is selected.
Public Input and Next Steps
TxDOT encouraged attendees to provide written comments either on-site or through mail, email, or an online submission form. All comments must be received by Friday, August 1, 2025, to be included in the official record.
A follow-up public meeting is planned, where TxDOT will present a Recommended Relief Route Build Alternative based on the feasibility findings and public feedback. This will be followed by schematic designs, right-of-way evaluations, and environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Anyone who was unable to attend the event in person can access all materials at the official TxDOT project webpage:
https://www.txdot.gov/projects/hearings-meetings/yoakum/2025/sh36-relief-route-071725.html
Community Engagement Remains Key
Throughout the evening, it was clear that the community takes a strong interest in how future transportation improvements will affect Bellville. Residents voiced concerns about safety, property impacts, school zone congestion, and how truck traffic influences downtown. Others focused on long-term benefits, such as smoother freight movement and preserving the small-town feel of Bellvilleโs historic core.
TxDOT representatives assured the public that no final decisions have been made and that the feasibility study is the first of many steps. Community input will remain an essential part of shaping the future of SH 36.
