• BY DAVID TEWES - DTEWES@VICAD.COM
• Originally published November 23, 2009 at 4:30 p.m., updated November 23, 2009 at 10:35 p.m.

• Overpass benefits

  Improved access for the fire station on Salem Road.

  Safer access to the East High School campus under construction on Mockingbird Lane.

  Creates better access for undeveloped property in the area.

Victoria County's pursuit of two new overpasses continues without any detours so far, a transportation official said Monday.

"Hopefully, we should have a good idea of the possibility of it happening by Christmas," said Ray Miller with the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Miller, who delivered an update to commissioners court, said funding also may be available later for other highway expansion projects.

The city and county sought money from the Texas Department of Transportation for overpasses on Zac Lentz Parkway at Salem Road and Mockingbird Lane.

The project had been ranked by the state as 14th on a list where the top 10 were the ones likely to get funded. But 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 if city, county and state officials can work out an agreement outlining each entity's responsibilities. Terms would include estimated cost, financing and the timeline for construction.

"This proposal is looking more and more favorable for Victoria as we move into contractual agreements," Miller said.

But County Judge Don Pozzi said part of the credit goes to the city and county for helping the state with funding on this and other projects for the past 20 to 30 years.

"The truth of the matter is, this project would not be done if the city and county did not step forward and make this kind of effort with the Texas Department of Transportation," he said. "This certainly, in my opinion, is one of the most important projects we have going in terms of safety."

Miller said the next step will be to talk with state officials in December about the contract terms. The agreement must then be approved by the Texas Transportation Commission.

The project may cost less than expected and Victoria could be in a position to ask for more money from the Texas Department of Transportation or the commission, Miller said. "If it is possible to work that into this proposal, then hopefully it will free up some funding over the next four to five years for us to do other expansion projects."

That could include an overpass on the parkway at Airline Road or expansion of the parkway to four lanes between Main Street and the Guadalupe River.

• Print
• •
• Share
  • Share this item

    Send this to a friend

  • Grab the link

    Copy and paste the link:

  • Blog about it

    Blog about this page.

  • Close
• •
• Favorite