TEMPLE, Texas — Channel 6 has been following Temple's "Outer Loop" project since the beginning of 2018 . The project would create a half-loop outside loop 363 on the west side of the city to increase mobility in the area.
Much of the loop simply widens existing roads, but some of the design plans will affect residential property.
Steve Ward found out about the plans two years ago, when the city said it needed part of his property for a water line.
"We were negotiating out a path for the water line project and we were concerned about some of the trees being destroyed," Ward said. "They said, 'well the trees are going to be destroyed anyway when we put the road though.' I said,'when's the road project going to come through?'"
Turns out, that road project was part of the outer loop, and it would go straight across land Ward had purchased to build a home in the south part of the city.
"That was a stunner," Ward said. "Came as a shock to us. This is a piece of property that we've put together over the last 15 or 20 years."
Ward initially tried to get the city to move their plans but was unsuccessful.
After looking into the city's plans, however, Ward said he could see his property was, unfortunately, the best choice for loop overall.
"Having a construction background I was able to determine the route they chose was a very good route," Ward said.
Ward is currently in negotiations with the city and is asking for better compensation so he can purchase a similar property.
The property on Charter Oak Dr. is not the only one affected.
To make room for phase six of the loop, the city of Temple needs land from over a dozen property owners, according to documents obtained by Ward.
Phase six cuts a path between Old Waco Rd. and I-35. Phases four and five, which both widen Old Waco Rd., could also affect properties due to the room needed for the highway easement on the current project maps.
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