Port Arthur Urges Restoration of Highway 87 for Emergency Access

Port Arthur councilman Donald Frank is seeking to initiate a resolution urging collaboration among state, federal, and local entities, along with private industry, to restore a segment of State Highway 87. This highway, which once connected Sabine Pass to Galveston, has been partially missing for decades due to hurricane damage, leaving the community with only one access route.

With the rise of industrial development, including liquefied natural gas facilities, traffic has intensified, raising safety concerns. Following incidents such as the Valero explosion, which complicated evacuations, Frank highlights the urgent need for an alternative route.

Previous feasibility studies have estimated costs in the millions, but Frank argues that the investment is crucial for public safety. He suggests that private industry may need to contribute to the funding, possibly through a toll road.