This is a Letter to the Editor, but unsure it will be published. Your help is critical.
How do Brazos County residents provide input to the Capital Improvement Plan and Budget?
In 2016-2017 Brazos County and Nantucket residents altered the 2050 BCSMPO Thoroughfare Map by downgrading Arrington from a Major Arterial (6-lanes) to a Minor Arterial (4-lanes) citing safety issues. In March 2017, BCSMPO/County Engineer announced Arrington Road’s planned to be 3-lanes from City Limits to past Harpers Ferry, which residents accepted. On 9/18/2017 the County informed local residents Arrington would be 2-lanes. Residents were at a loss as to how this happened; what process was used to change the plan.
It appears County/City officials met with Developers without residents present and decided to set aside safety concerns and downgraded Arrington Road to 2-lanes. At the 9/28/2017 Commissioners Court, residents requested the County withdraw the City’s Thoroughfare Plan change aligning Margraves Ranch minor collector to Harpers Ferry and opposed the downgrading of Arrington Road from 3 to 2-lanes.
The 2019 Brazos County Budget which funds Arrington Road improvement is currently seeking public input. A poll of Nantucket residents on “NextDoor” showed 79% who participated favored Arrington be 3-lanes and this safety improvement be returned to the Capital Improvement Plan. This request was presented at the 8/28/2018 Public Hearing for the Budget. In response, County officials justified the plan change to 2-lanes stating 3-lanes won’t fit in an 80 foot right-of-way. This is troubling since at an earlier meeting (2/16/2017), County officials felt the 80 foot right-of-way was sufficient for 3-lanes. These concerns and discrepancy is documented in the 8/28/2018 Public Hearing minutes.
For the safety of County residents in South College Station, Nantucket, Indian Lakes and Arrington Road area, I urge you to contact your Country Commissioners and Judge. Respectfully request that they re-instate 3-lanes for Arrington Road in 2019 Budget as proposed on March 2017.