36A Coalition Board Names New Officers; Pechukas as Chairman

SUGAR LAND, TX — The Highway 36A Coalition Board of Directors has elected a new set of officers for 2022, naming Robert Pechukas as its new Chairman.

Pechukas is Director of Policy and Administration for Precinct 3 County Commissioner Andy Meyers. The new 36A Vice Chair is Donna Adams, Vice President and Regional Business Development Director at Atkins Engineering.

Recent developments, Pechukas said, are creating growing momentum for the coalition, whose mission is to advocate for development of a regional transportation infrastructure from the Brazosport area to Hempstead and beyond. That infrastructure will provide for improved hurricane evacuation, more efficient mobility, and economic development for the region and the state.

“We are excited to see our vision for a 36A corridor moving forward," Pechukas said. "Our proposed corridor will help serve the needs of our fast-growing region, such as the efficient movement of people and goods, including to and from Port Freeport."

Among the most recent developments:

• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Study - Work continues on a TxDOT study that ultimately will analyze potential routes for a 36A mobility/freight corridor. TxDOT staff are meeting with local stakeholders in the community to discuss the potential project and gather insights. In about a year to a year and a half, TxDOT anticipates issuing a Notice of Intent to launch work on two Environmental Impact Statements for the corridor. There are as of yet no routes identified.



• 36A Segments Added to 2045 RTP - The Transportation Policy Council of the Houston Galveston Area Council of Governments recently approved the addition of those two key segments, 36A North and 36A South, to the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. Formal addition of the segments is pending a final determination based on a required Air Quality review. The TPC said the segments are to avoid any impacts to the Katy Prairie Conservancy.



• Freeport Improvements, New Asian Container Line - Transfar Shipping PTE. LTD., an ocean carrier originating from Singapore, recently launched express container service between China and the U.S. Gulf Coast/Freeport. The line will offer one to two direct sailings per month, importing a mix of cargo for many companies including, Alibaba. In addition, over $450 million of infrastructure projects are currently underway at Port Freeport. Those projects include the Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project, which will deepen and partially widen the harbor channel to accommodate the modern vessels operating around the world today; and the Velasco Terminal dock extension that will add 927 feet of berth and an 85-foot RoRo (vehicle roll-on, roll-off) Platform to Velasco Container Terminal. Port Freeport will soon embark on the Velasco Terminal Modernization Project that will improve gate infrastructure and access to the terminal enhancing efficiency.

The new 2022 Board Officers are:

• Chair - Robert Pechukas, Fort Bend County



• Vice Chair - Donna Adams, Atkins



• Past Chair - Shane Pirtle, Commissioner, Port Freeport



• Secretary - Vern Hegwood, Costello



• Treasurer - Jim Russ, EHRA Engineering



• At Large - Jeff Wiley, Fort Bend EDC



• At Large - Matt Hanks, Brazoria County



• At Large - Kendric Jones, Commissioner, Waller County