Rockwall residents urge county to block Outer Loop route through High Point Lake Estates; commissioners weigh engagement with study

Dozens of residents told the Rockwall County Commissioners Court on Oct. 29 that a proposed southeast alignment of the Rockwall Outer Loop would cut through the High Point Lake Estates neighborhood and sharply reduce quality of life.

"This rural neighborhood is a serene haven for families with homes on spacious lots with a country feel. Routing a major highway here would bring unbearable noise, safety risks from heavy traffic, environmental degradation to our local waterways and a sharp decline in property values," said Frank Merlino, who identified himself as the High Point Lake Estates homeowners association board president. Merlino said the alignment would ‘‘not alleviate traffic congestion in Rockwall’’ and attributed a projected "10% decrease in traffic" for Rockwall versus a "30%" reduction for neighboring Kaufman County, citing material discussed at earlier regional meetings.

Residents amplified those concerns. "This push…