Construction is in progress on a Partnership Project between Galveston County and the Texas General Land Office, (GLO) that will, when completed, provide beach access to citizens with disabilities. The walkover ramp is located at the southern end of Johnson Road on the Bolivar Peninsula, in the Gilchrist area approximately 2 miles west of Rollover Pass, just off State Highway 87.

The construction of the beach access ramp is the culmination of a process that started in May, 2005. Public input was sought in August and September of 2005 regarding potential locations. The public comments received were incorporated into a project checklist that was submitted to the Texas General Land Office. In late September Hurricane Rita put a brief hold on all coastal projects but in November the GLO was putting the finishing touches on the Sub Recipient Agreement.

Galveston County completed it’s review of the agreement in December and was approved in Commissioners Court on January 11, 2006. The following week the firm of Randall Porterfield was retained to provide design services and the project was underway. The project went out to public bid and was awarded to Lucas Construction on April 19, 2006. Approval for construction was sought and received from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, (USF&W). A staff specialist with USF&W provided two informational training classes to Lucas Construction crews regarding endangered sea turtles and the piping plover.

The total grant award as provided by the GLO is $86,620.00, available to the state from the federal agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with a project deadline of May 31, 2006.