Bolivar bridge bill clears House and Senate By Carter Thompson The Daily News Published May 01, 2003 BOLIVAR PENINSULA — Lawmakers have given their approval to a bill that would allow the Harris County Toll Road Authority to build the Bolivar bridge. Provided Gov. Rick Perry signs the bill into law, preparations for the bridge could begin in September. The bridge, which would probably link Pelican Island to the peninsula, is seen by many as the solution to long ferry lines and the difficulties evacuating the peninsula. But others say the bridge would flood the area with trucks, damaging the environment and quality of life, and would end the quaint ferry crossing. Once the law becomes effective, the first step for the toll road authority was to get permission from the Harris County Commissioners Court to hire engineers to plan the bridge, study the environmental impacts and obtain the necessary permits, said Mike Strech, the authority’s director. Harris County Attorney Michael Stafford had not allowed the authority to hire the engineers until the law allowed it to work on the bridge here. The law had restricted the toll road authority to projects at least partially within its jurisdiction. Preliminary estimates at that the bridge would cost $250 million. That figure will be firmed in the coming studies, as well the tolls needed to support bonds to build the bridge. “That’s all part of that next phase or two we’re talking about,” Strech said. If all went well, construction could begin in five to seven years, he said. “It’s a big bridge,” Strech said. “It doesn’t build too fast.” The legislation was filed by Sen. Jon Lindsay, R-Houston, and Rep. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston. Attorney General Greg Abbott had ruled the existing state law didn’t allow counties to undertake such projects completely beyond their boundaries. During its path through the capital, the bill was amended to stipulate the projects could not adversely impact maritime navigation and a sliver of the tolls would be split between the Permanent School Fund and purchases of land that would be kept in its natural state. Galveston County leaders had asked for the toll road authority’s help, saying that the needed funds could not be raised locally and creating another entity was unnecessary since Harris County already had the expertise. County Commissioner Eddie Barr, who represents the peninsula, said the legislature’s approval meant study of the bridge could move forward. “We can continue to explore the possibility of making that bridge a reality,” he said, adding that Bolivar residents could either have a quick trip or the ambiance of a ferry system. “You can’t have it both ways.”