Over the years I have posted photos of the remains of SH 87 between High Island and Port Arthur, along the coast east of Galveston.
2001: http://www.texasfreeway.com/Statewide/Statewide/abandoned/TX87_closed/87_eroded.shtml (http://www.texasfreeway.com/Statewide/Statewide/abandoned/TX87_closed/87_eroded.shtml)
January 2005: http://houstonfreeways.com/modern/2005-01-14_sh87.aspx (http://houstonfreeways.com/modern/2005-01-14_sh87.aspx)
November 2005: http://houstonfreeways.com/modern/2005-11-27_sh87.aspx (http://houstonfreeways.com/modern/2005-11-27_sh87.aspx)
Now that I have a 4WD Subaru Forester, I decided to try to drive the path of the abandoned highway starting at the east end at Port Arthur. I didn't get far.
See the full photo report
http://houstonfreeways.com/photos/sh-87-port-arthur-highway-relics (http://houstonfreeways.com/photos/sh-87-port-arthur-highway-relics)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oscarmail.net%2Fhoustonfreeways%2Fimages%2Fsh-87-port-arthur-highway-relics%2F20140517_0272_adj_1150.jpg&hash=38efd996f81ff5ecf2418c4988852125c8b5302a)
It would be nice to know what TxDOT intends to do about this (besides waffle and sit on the fence). Are they going to give up and redesignate TX 87 elsewhere? Try to rebuild? I guess sitting on the fence is cheaper.....
Quote from: txstateends on May 22, 2014, 08:13:24 PM
It would be nice to know what TxDOT intends to do about this (besides waffle and sit on the fence). Are they going to give up and redesignate TX 87 elsewhere? Try to rebuild? I guess sitting on the fence is cheaper.....
I have not seen or heard any reports that action is being planned. I recall a report a few years ago that a route much further inland along the intracoastal waterway was being considered. I don't know what TxDOT's official position is.
I'm thinking the highway will not ever be rebuilt, but something could happen to change the situation, for example, a politically powerful entity could promote the rebuild.
With the McFaddin wildlife refuge along this entire section of beach, getting environmental clearance for a new alignment near the coast will be difficult or impossible. There also is not a compelling need for this highway in my opinion.
If they don't rebuild anywhere, do you think they will leave it discontinuous or redesignate/overlap it along other roads?