City Council prioritizes TxDOT Projects in Eagle Pass
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The Eagle Pass City Council designated several Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) projects as great priority for the City of Eagle Pass, Texas at their special meeting and workshop held on Tuesday, April 28, 2015.
Texas Department of Transportation Laredo District Director Melissa Montemayor made a presentation to the City Council regarding the various projects the state transportation department is currently working on and planning for this area.
Montemayor discussed the Loop 480 project and stated that the initial schematics are set in place or completed for this project which is partially completed.
“We have constructed two segments. Segment 2 between U.S. 57 and F.M. 1021 opened in 2012 and cost about $45,400,000 (Million) and segment 1 between F.M. 1021 and the truck route opened in 2014 and that cost $27,300,000 (Million). So substantial investment has been done on State Loop 480 but we still have more to go,” said Montemayor.
“Segment 3 is the segment we are still lacking in terms of construction,” added Montemayor.
Segment 3 will be about 5.8 miles long. Segment 3 is from U.S. 57 to U.S. 277 North.
“Currently, we don’t have any construction funds devoted to that segment. We know we need approximately $65,000,000 (Million) give or take those estimates are rough,” said Montemayor.
Montemayor added that if and when they do receive authorization to move forward, it would take up to 30 months to develop that portion of State Loop 480 and then another 26 months to actually construct the roadway.
Montemayor noted that the railroad agreement with Union Pacific Railroad itself would take about a year’s time and that can be done concurrently as the project is being developed.
Montemayor explained that the railroad agreement is needed due to a part of a railway which runs through the designated area for State Loop 480 and certain terms must be met upon construction of the roadway.
“Currently, we have 13 of the 16 parcels that we need for State Loop 480 and as we speak we are acquiring the last 3 parcels,” added Montemayor. The last three parcels needed are expected to be acquired by the end of 2015.
Montemayor and the City Council discussed the U.S. 277 project which would start at State Loop 480 and come into town at U.S. 277.
This project will add sidewalks to the areas by C.C. Winn High School and the Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center and other amenities such as a five lane urban section.
Currently, TXDOT has allocated $3,000,000 (Millions) to the City of Eagle Pass for this project.
Montemayor stated that those funds would not complete the entire project and that additional funding would be needed.
City Council and Montemayor further discussed issues pertaining to the proposed project.
Montemayor presented an overall review of the scheduled projects that have been done and are currently being done under allocated funding Coordinated Border Infrastructure (CBI) monies.
Montemayor detailed the designation of a truck route for the community and what it would entail including the submittal of a proposal and expenses accrued from it.
Montemayor also presented details on a federal grant known as the Tiger Grant designated for infrastructure investments and also on the Highway Safety Improvement Program.
Another item that was presented was maintenance funding for landscape beautification along the roadways. This program could be a cost sharing type of program.
Another issues touched was the viability of implementing a hike and bike trail through Veterans Boulevard. Many local citizens use it regularly to bike and/or walk or run.
After hearing the presentation from Montemayor, City Council went into executive session to consult with legal counsel over possible real estate acquisitions on TXDOT right of ways.
After reconvening into open session, Mayor Cantu asked if the City Council had a list of the prioritized projects to be designated.
Eagle Pass Mayor Pro-Tem Luis E. Sifuentes stated that the City should look at project No.1 which calls for the aligning of traffic lights at the intersection of U.S. 277 and U.S. 57 and possibly replacing the asphalt surface there to prevent constant deterioration.
City Council came to a consensus on a list of seven project priorities for the City of Eagle Pass, including as No. 2 the intersection of Industrial Road, Loop 480 at South Adams Street to redesign and facilitate efficient vehicular movement from the intersection of U.S. 277 East Main Street and FM 375 South Bibb issues of traffic circulation; as Project No.3 access from Cerna Elementary to North Veterans Boulevard and U.S. 277 and Second Street through Spur 216; as Project No.4 vehicle turning improvements at the intersection of Memo Robinson Road at El Indio Highway FM 1021; as Project No.5 the continuation of middle turn lane of segment 375 South Bibb Drive from Wal-Mart to El Indio Highway FM 1021; as Project No.6, installing electronic advisory system at the intersection of Bibb Street FM 375 at Main Street that automatically alerts vehicles traveling west bound on U.S 277 to use Garrison St. U.S. 57 South.
Council then voted on the item unanimously.
Councilman Rudy Villalpando was not present for the vote on the proposed projects of priority as he had to leave during the meeting due to a prior commitment.
