As envisioned way back in 1993 by then-Cameron County Judge Tony Garza and four Democratic commissioners, the passage of Project Road Map as a bond issue would address the future transportation needs of the county.
By using the Texas Department of Transportation's Pass Through Financing Program program, the commissioners were able to secure two-thirds of the costs associated with the project list that would see only one-third of the cost paid by the county. The rest would be paid by the state as the projects came online.
After campaigning on behalf of the projects, the court saw the Project Road Map successfully approved by a two thirds majority vote on August 14, 1993.
That was in 1993, some 24 years ago.
Project Road Map projects, many since completed, addressed transportation and drainage needs in the county, including some far-reaching projects such as the widening of Southmost Road in Precinct 1 and many other projects in the northern precincts.
But there was one project that has cried out for completion that has been left on the back burner for so long that many Brownsville residents don't believe will ever be built.
That project is the East Loop which has been in the planning stages for at least 20 years and would connect Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates to the Port of Brownsville.
It would allow the rerouting of traffic from Highway 48 to the East Loop that would reduce traffic congestion, improve safety and the air quality, officials said. It would also increase the level of imports and exports on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Currently truck traffic travels from Highway 48 to International Boulevard. From there, the trucks connect to south U.S. Expressway 77/83 which takes them directly to Veterans Bridge. The East Loop project would reroute traffic around this area.
It would allow the rerouting of traffic from Highway 48 to the East Loop that would reduce traffic congestion, improve safety and the air quality, officials said. It would also increase the level of imports and exports on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Currently truck traffic travels from Highway 48 to International Boulevard. From there, the trucks connect to south U.S. Expressway 77/83 which takes them directly to Veterans Bridge. The East Loop project would reroute traffic around this area.
And as time goes on, according to Pete Sepulveda, director of the Cameron County Regional Mobility Administration (CCRMA), there might be hope on the horizon.
"We did a walk-through of the project with state officials last week on the northern segment," Sepulveda said. "We expect to be breaking ground on the section from Highway 4 (Boca Chica Boulevard) to Ostos Road at the Port of Brownsville in the next five or six months."
Sepulveda said the southern segment of the loop from Highway 4 to the Veterans Bridge at Los Tomates is proving a bit more difficult and has required a more thorough Environmental Impact Statement. However, that is already being addressed by the CCRMA and the state planners and engineers.
"The overall cost for the project is around $60 million, Sepulveda said. "That will be funded using local state and federal funds."
There is no doubt about the need of the loop to relieve heavy truck congestion, reroute hazardous materials away from populated areas and schools along the Port Brownsville-International Boulevard-Los Tomates route. Every evening, residents in the area have to navigate the road with overweight trucks headed to Matamoros carrying all sorts of cargoes, including tankers filled with hazardous materials and chemicals.
"The truck traffic is increasing," Sepulveda acknowledged. "We've been planning this for more than 20 years."
* Once built – if it eventually is built – the East Loop Project will eliminate hazardous and overweight traffic from 6 schools in the area.
* It will facilitate the movement of Export/Import on the Corridor with Mexico has grew 50 percent in the period from 2004-2008 and is increasing.
* It will make the movement of imports and exports from the port of Brownsville easier. The Port already exports/imports over 6.3 million tons of material
* And perhaps of more importance to local residents, it will eliminate 17 stops and 6 school zones which planners say will significantly improve air quality in the East Loop Corridor.
* And perhaps of more importance to local residents, it will eliminate 17 stops and 6 school zones which planners say will significantly improve air quality in the East Loop Corridor.
"I'll believe it when I see it," said a used-tire shop owner whose business sits across Canales Elementary on International Blvd. "Every day we see those heavy trucks pass through here carrying all that dangerous stuff. Dios no lo quiera que pase un accidente."
2 comments:
TxDot charges Mex trucks $35 or so, to repair roads they use. This fee should be removed
It's too out of the way and requires too much right-of-way acquisition. They could probably make the existing international blvd into a freeway for a comparable price.
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