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TxDOT says boat‑ramp replacement design complete; residents say parking plan is inadequate
Summary
TxDOT told the town hall its design for a replacement boat ramp under the 146 bridge is complete and Army Corps of Engineers permits have been applied for; the city and TxDOT said construction is targeting early 2027. Multiple residents and boaters said the proposed parking and launch staging are too small and urged TxDOT and the city to revisit
TxDOT representatives and city staff updated Seabrook residents on a Texas Department of Transportation project to replace a boat ramp under the SH‑146 bridge and to restore public boating access. TxDOT said the replacement design is complete, permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been applied for, and the target construction date is early 2027.
Why it matters: The former boat ramp had more pull‑through parking and staging for trailered boats than the current proposed design; residents and frequent boaters told council and TxDOT the new layout would be insufficient for typical weekend use.
Design and permits: City staff said the TxDOT consultants produced a 100% design and that Army Corps permits are in process. "All the permits for the Army Corps of Engineers has been applied for, the design is ready," city staff said.
Public concerns about parking and maneuvering: Several speakers said the proposed parking count and stall geometry will not accommodate typical trailers and will reduce weekend access. One resident who counted existing pull‑through spots said the previous ramp provided roughly 30 pull‑through spaces and argued that the new layout will be far too small. TxDOT staff said columns and piling supporting the widened bridge limit the pallet of available parking area and turning radii; as a result, the new design provides individual stalls rather than long pull‑through lanes. "If you get a bigger boat and you're trying to park in there, you're not going to get out," a TxDOT official said, explaining safety and turning‑radius constraints.
Next steps: City staff said they and TxDOT will continue final permitting and schedule work toward the 2027 target. Council and residents requested further review of parking and staging alternatives; TxDOT said it will revisit the constraints but noted that the current project footprint is limited by bridge piers and other structural elements.
