Archives for March 2017

Good news for Spring Breakers headed to the Island this year. A section of beach will not be blocked off as previously planned. The state changed its mind to avoid a traffic headache.

The area in question is part of Mustang Island State Park. If you went out to the area last week, just north of Newport Pass Road, you would have seen bollards blocking off most of the beach. Now, some of the bollards are gone, allowing for a two-way flow of traffic.

So, this year, during peak Spring Break hours, you can enter the state-owned section of beach off Newport Pass, but if you come back that way, you’ll have to exit down at Zahn Road.

Under the old plan, you only could have entered or left at Access Road 3, though there would have been a small gap for emergency vehicles at Newport Pass.

The bollards were eventually taken down this week at State Representative Todd Hunter’s request. Texas Parks and Wildlife initially put them up to clarify that section of beach is state property and there are certain rules for things like drinking and camping.

Under the new plan, you can also enter or leave the beach at Access Road 3, but the state recommends your vehicle have four-wheel drive.

“I certainly feel that the removal of those bollards will certainly help facilitate the flow of traffic through those areas,” Mustang Island State Park Superintendent Scott Taylor says.

After Spring Break, Parks and Wildlife will consider putting the bollards back up, but charging a $5 fee for access is currently off the table. It’s something the state had been considering. via @kris6news