
By Linda Elissalde
We were enjoying our wonderful food and fellowship in Bay Vue Methodist Fellowship Hall after July 6 Sunday Service. Then someone looked out the door. Lined up farther than the eye could see were hood to bumper vehicles. They were not moving. Well, once in a while they did advance a small way before stopping again. HWY 87 was filled with cars, automobiles towing boats, caravans, RVs, etc. etc. etc. It was not too overwhelming if you were traveling east to west. However, west to east was reminiscent of one of those olden days of Jeep Weekend. We remember when it took an hour to drive 5 miles.
Now it must be stated that travelers moving east were very, very nice to those of us exciting John Wesley street. There were no problems with someone letting us into the lane. After that, you could wait like everyone for some type of action. Suddenly, we were all moving right along. What had changed?
There was a kind gentleman at Crystal Beach Road directing folk through the light. Then another man helped all through the light by The Big Store. A fine policeman directed at Stingaree Road. GRATITUDE for helping us get home much sooner than that old Jeep Weekend time.
This event made me wonder. We are now in Hurricane Season with late August and early September usually being the worst times. Bolivar Peninsula has been discovered so there are more people coming here than in the past. Labor Day is always a big weekend. Hurricane possibilities plus a lot of guests – do we have a plan? If we need to leave, will it be like Sunday, July 6? How will multiple conveyances be able to leave via ferries and HWY 87 in rapid time?
My CONCERNS are that we will have good evacuation plans in place long before evacuation warnings arrive.
Jim Hockert
July 8, 2025 at 8:59 amLinda, I share the same sentiment with you. We live in Biscayne. When my wife left to head towards Crystal Beach Sunday morning, traffic was stopped, bumper to bumper from the Ranch to the Big Store and beyond.
What happens when an evacuation emergency occurs? Heading towards the ferry, if running, only drops you into Galveston evacuation……
Steve Stanley
July 11, 2025 at 10:35 amI’ve said this for years now…TXDOT needs to prioritize widening TX-87 and TX-124 to 4 lanes, with a center median, and full shoulders.
Linda Carole
July 15, 2025 at 8:54 amThank you for your responses. I have tried contacting Galveston and then TXDOT. It is very hard to get to someone on TXDOT. I left a message, but have received no return call.
Linda C Elissalde