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Funding could be available for overpasses

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  • BY DAVID TEWES - DTEWES@VICAD.COM
  • Originally published November 10, 2009 at 7:03 p.m., updated November 10, 2009 at 11:50 p.m.

  • Construction by the numbers

    The total estimated construction cost for both overpasses was $27.7 million, although officials think now it might be closer to $23 million.

    It's estimated a contract for the work will be awarded in December 2010 or ...

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    • Construction by the numbers

    The total estimated construction cost for both overpasses was $27.7 million, although officials think now it might be closer to $23 million.

    It's estimated a contract for the work will be awarded in December 2010 or earlier.

    Construction could begin in the spring of 2011 and would take about 18 months.

Victoria County's push for two overpasses to improve traffic safety on Zac Lentz Parkway could be on the road to approval.

The project had been ranked by the state as 14th on a list where the top 10 were the ones likely to get funded.

District Engineer Lonnie Gregorcyk with the Texas Department of Transportation said Tuesday three of the higher-ranked projects have been dropped from the list, possibly because of right of way problems.

That could clear the way for state funding for Victoria's overpasses, he said.

"Essentially, that's a pretty positive sign," he said. "I'm excited about it."

The overpasses would be on Zac Lentz Parkway at Salem Road and Mockingbird Lane.

The Salem intersection has been the site of traffic-related deaths. Mockingbird Lane will serve the East High School campus scheduled to open in 2010, with 1,600 to 1,700 students.

Gregorcyk said the Texas Highway Commission has authorized staff to work out agreements between the state, county and city for the project. He said that may be completed by early December.

Ray Miller with the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which coordinates transportation projects, said a contract could be awarded by December 2010, with construction beginning in the spring of 2011. The construction would take about 18 months to complete, which means it wouldn't be finished by the time the new high school opens.

Gregorcyk said that's why the state plans to take temporary safety measures at Mockingbird and the parkway.

"We may take some criticism, but we're going to be putting traffic lights in before the school opens," he said. "Safety is going to come first, especially when you're dealing with a school of that size and caliber."

Gregorcyk estimated it would cost $250,000 to $300,000 to install the lights, but he said the equipment can be used after it is taken down to make way for the overpass. He called it a short-term investment in safety.


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Comments

  • cobraden cobraden Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Whatever committee came up with the "bright" idea of situating the high schools where they are being built must have had their collective heads where the sun doesn't shine.
    How idiotic to place them on two very busy thoroughfares. Good move bowels!

    November 11, 2009 at 4:15 p.m.
  • roberttx roberttx Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    traffic lights are needed on that entire stretch of zac lentz. people are driving 70+.

    November 11, 2009 at 8:02 a.m.