Bay City is taking steps to ease downtown traffic by backing a state study on a possible truck relief route for Highway 35. Council approved the move last week, clearing the way for TxDOT to look at bypass options that would steer heavy trucks, including those with hazardous loads, out of the city center. Local leaders say congestion has worsened with growth, making safety and emergency response harder. The study, expected to be funded next year, will gather community input on possible routes while protecting downtown’s role as a hub for schools, parades, and festivals.