On Thursday evening, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) held a public meeting at Island in the Son United Methodist Church to gather input on proposed improvements for a 15-mile stretch of SH 361. This area runs from Beach Access Road 1 in Port Aransas to Park Road 22 in Corpus Christi. The project, known as the SH 361 Mustang Island Project, aims to enhance safety and mobility along this highway, notorious for dangerous accidents.
Proposed Changes and Timeline
Rickey Dailey, Public Information Officer for the TxDOT Corpus Christi District, announced during the meeting that although they have not yet finalized an official design, they likely plan to add one lane in each direction, construct a raised median, and possibly introduce a shared-use path.
“We don’t have a design yet,” Dailey explained. “We know we’re going to add one lane in each direction, probably have a raised median, and maybe a shared-use path.”
Although the project is still in the preliminary design and environmental study phase, construction is tentatively set to begin in 2030. TxDOT is currently assessing ecological factors, including potential impacts on local wildlife, such as endangered species, to ensure minimal disruption to the ecosystem.
“We’re looking at the environmental process, the birds, the endangered species that are out here. We don’t want to disrupt those,” Dailey added, emphasizing the challenges of balancing development with environmental concerns.
Residents Voice Concerns
Many Port Aransas and Padre Island residents who regularly use SH 361 have expressed deep concern over its current state. The road has seen frequent and sometimes fatal accidents, underscoring the urgent need for improvements. Locals are eager for changes but remain skeptical about the project’s timeline.
“Way too little, way too late, in my opinion. First of all, it’s going to take, they’re talking 10 years or so to get this done,” said Joseph Titlebaum, a Port Aransas resident.
For many locals, safety issues on SH 361 stem from reckless driving rather than the road’s structure. Illegal passing and speeding are frequent problems. Harold Smith, a resident of Padre Island, remarked, “It’s always terrible to hear about the accidents out here… people just can’t wait, you know.”
Titlebaum echoed similar concerns, emphasizing that driver behavior, not the road itself, is the primary issue. “The safety on 361 is not the roadway… The problem, in my opinion, are the drivers,” he stated.
Right of Way and Environmental Constraints
One key challenge facing the project is acquiring additional right-of-way. TxDOT officials revealed that while they aim to limit acquiring new land, some expansion will likely be necessary.
“There is a lot of information that needs to be gathered,” Dailey explained. “We’re trying to do it without acquiring new Right of Way, but we know that we’re probably going to have to… We have a state park, so we’re constrained by how big the footprint can be.”
A crash analysis heat map presented at the meeting displayed data from 2019 to 2023, highlighting areas along SH 361 with a high frequency of accidents. According to TxDOT’s analysis, common causes of accidents include failure to control speed, failure to yield, and driving under the influence.
Moving Forward
TxDOT’s primary goals for the SH 361 Mustang Island Project are to significantly improve mobility and reduce conflict points that often lead to accidents. By adding additional lanes and a raised median, the agency aims to drastically reduce head-on collisions and enhance overall safety, instilling hope for a safer future.
“We need more mobility out here… We want it safer, a safer road,” Dailey emphasized.
TxDOT urges the public to provide additional comments on the proposed project online, through email, or by mail until Friday, October 4th, emphasizing the importance of public input. For those who could not attend in person, TxDOT has made a virtual recording of the meeting presentation available, ensuring everyone can participate in this important process.