The widening of the bridge between Gun Barrel City and Seven Points, and the safety of a petroleum pipeline running under Cedar Creek Lake will get the attention of state officials, according to District 3 Texas Sen. Robert Nichols.
Nichols made the promises during a presentation to the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Aug. 14.
Nichols said he would get involved in the bridge widening project that Texas Rep. Lance Gooden and Rep. Jim Pitts lobbied the Texas Department of Transportation to put on a fast track. Gooden lost his re-election bid and Pitts retired, leaving the project without major sponsors.
"I will work on it," Nichols said. "I wish that I had already been involved in it."
Chamber President Jo Ann Hanstrom said she would be working with Nichols' office to provide him with support and information.
Nichols also promised to contact the Texas Railroad Commissioner about the now-closed Pegasus Pipeline running from Patoka, IL, to Corsicana. The pipeline ruptured in Arkansas in March 2013, prompting the evacuation of Mayflower when 210,000 of Canadian tar sands bitumen spilled into the streets and a nearby lake.
The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration closed down the pipeline operated by ExxonMobil from Illinois to Corsicana where it connects to for transport to South Texas refineries in Nederland.
Federal officials allowed the reopening of the leg from Corsicana to Nederland in July, but the section from Illinois to Corsicana remains closed.
Many Cedar Creek Lake residents fear the pipeline running under their lake could be reopened, creating a public safety threat if another rupture occurred. Rep. Gooden opposed the reopening of the 66-year-old pipeline.
Nichols said he would contact the Railroad Commissioner that oversees petroleum pipelines to ensure that the operation is safe. He agreed a rupture of the pipeline would pose a significant hazard to the area, saying "It would be a disaster."
Cedar Creek lake supplies water to Tarrant County in addition to lake area cities. The Integrated Pipeline Project from Lake Palestine to water customers in both Tarrant and Dallas Counties will be connected through Cedar Creek Lake facilities.
Nichols stopped short of saying he would repeat Gooden's call for the pipeline's permanent closure. "I can't impact ExxonMobil's business, but I will contact the Railroad Commissioner."