The Texas Transportation Commission approved last week moving forward with the construction of Farm-to-Market 299, known locally as the Vidor Loop. Despite the commission’s unanimous approval of the proposed loop project in western Orange County, there is opposition to it being built and the county having to pay for it.
One of the leaders of the opposition is Vidor Mayor Robert Viator. He said the state’s going to do what the state’s going to do. His concerns are more local. Viator pointed out that five incorporated cities in the county (Vidor, Orange, Bridge City, West Orange, and Pinehurst) all passed resolutions opposing the pass-through provision for Orange County in the loop project. He insisted most of the county is opposed to the project. “Those resolutions represent approximately 53 percent of the population of the county,” Viator stated.
Viator said opponents to the construction of the so-called Vidor Loop are against it because of the possibility of increased taxes and the environmental concern of induced flooding in the vicinity of the proposed road. The county’s expected portion of the project is about $20 million, and Viator does not believe Orange County cannot assume that kind of debt without issuing bonds which means a tax increase for its citizens.
The construction of the loop is planned for an area that is in a flood plain. Viator echoes the concerns of many who believe the construction of the elevated roadway will cause inadvertent flooding to properties near the proposed loop. Which entity will have imminent domain to seize the property for the right of way of the road also needs to be addressed according to Viator.
Commissioner Jody Crump spoke in favor of the project before the Transportation Commission in Austin. That did not sit well with Viator either. The Vidor mayor said Crump is speaking for special interest groups or a select few and not voicing the opinion of his constituents.
County Judge Brint Carlton has informed that the Commissioners Court will call for two public hearings in the coming weeks. The hearings will take place before the Court takes a vote on approving Orange County sharing in the construction project.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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