The state will spend the money on this project or someone elses. Most of the money allocated by the city and county will be refunded. It is an extremely wise decision to have this work begin as soon as possible. Time will show that this is true, as traffic lights will be necessary until the overpasses are completed. People will be sick and tired of them (traffic lights) very soon and be anxious to have the overpasses completed. The heavy traffic in this area warrants the decision made to fund the overpasses. Whether we want to believe it or not, this community is growing and we need the traffic management facilities to go with it. It is typical that these facilities are not built initially, for the reasons highlighted in this forum. Many people are upset when something is installed that doesn't have an immediate need, but then they want to complain later when it wasn't done with foresight. Give our city and county leaders a break! Put yourselves in their shoes, attend all the meetings, get all the information. Talk to these folks personally. It's easy to sit back and criticize when you're not in the hot seat. I guarantee you that you would not want one injury or death at either of these intersections due to being insensitive to the need for practical facilities. Some or our friends and relatives have already suffered this fate on the west loop. We have experience to recognize what is at stake. Thank you Victoria County Commissioners! Thank you Victoria City Council!

How does a person have so much time to be on so many boards, as Mr. Rachid? I would think that the United Way and his paid position at the hospital would be so time consuming that where does he find the time to an effective board member on the others? I followed the link provided here and was surprised at the amount of obligations he has.

January 29, 2010 at 10:52 a.m.

Can anyone answer this concern? It's great when people are on boards to help the organizations; however, too many obligations usually mean that there's little contribution and only recognition for that person being so generous with their time.

TxEx,

May I ask what are; in your opinion, the qualifications that Omar Rachid or any other person for that matter must possess to run or be elected for Mayor?

I too followed the link provided below and quiet frankly was very impressed by his commitment to our community and it seems to me that he served in a leadership role on the boards of many of the organizations mentioned in the link.

A half of a million dollars for two traffic lights; why don't we just go with them and forget the construction?

Oops "seems high to me"

So over a half a million for two traffic lights, seems high to my but that's what TXDOT said.

TXDOT already said in another article, that they will install two traffic lights during the overpass construction at a cost of $600K.

–adjective 1. first or highest in rank, importance, value, etc.; chief; foremost.
2. of, of the nature of, or constituting principal or capital: a principal investment.
This is the definition that I used. So you can see where I was coming from. I accept your correction, My Two Cents.

I do think it's interesting that NO One has taken the time to answer my question about the traffic lights possibilities, but you took the time to have a laugh and scold me.

nickel76...you're right. it could be construed to an attack tone. so let me put it another way: i do not feel Omar Rachid is qualified to run for or be elected mayor.

Hey woofwoof, what planners are you talking about? I haven't seen anything in the past few years to indicate there is any sort of 'planning' going on whatsoever.

Does anyone knows if traffic lights were ever considered a possibility? Less construction and much less cost. Seems to work on large highways in cities near us...San Antonio and Austin.

Before the planners turn 463 into a local city street like John Stockbauer Drive, FREEZE SPENDING!

How does a person have so much time to be on so many boards, as Mr. Rachid? I would think that the United Way and his paid position at the hospital would be so time consuming that where does he find the time to an effective board member on the others? I followed the link provided here and was surprised at the amount of obligations he has.

BSspotter,

I believe he could keep them separate. Over the 15 years I have known Omar he has never cam across as anything but ethical and intelligent. The combination of the two results in knowing when to do the right thing.

By the way, I want to make sure it's known that my "Jeff Williams for Mayor" comment was made in jest. I've heard no such rumor. I just enjoy it when Jeff demonstrates his intellectual superiority over our current Mayor without breaking a sweat. We need a Mayor that can solve complex problems using sound economic & logistical principles. We certainly don't need one that relies on the emotionally-expedient "for the children" justification for everything.

The filthy irony is that the kids will be paying for this directly since the County will "pay it over 11 years beginning in 2015" and the City is financing its share.

Time Capsule:
Remember kiddos, our planners couldn't get their [Shinola] straight and made a big ol' mess for you to pay for. It was for your safety. You're welcome! I hope you learn from our mistakes of letting politicians dupe us with false urgency only to find they've overlooked some major unintended(?) consequences, and no one seems to know who's responsible for such a colossal oversight. (With the way they keep passing the buck, you'd think they're talking about property appraisals.) At least we have the VEDC to coax businesses into town to pick up some of the tab. Oh, and we're sorry for our complicity in hyperinflation caused by the reckless spending of "free money" from the Feds. Who knew printing money could do that?

nickel76, That is quite a resume. Would Omar be able to keep his philanthropic tendencies separate from the city government?

TxEx,

It seems that your post regarding Omar Rachid always have an "Attack" tone to them. In your prior post you said the following:

"And now....get this.....Omar Rachid wants to be mayor! The only qualification he has is that the Speedy Stops were cleaner when he ran them."

Well, it seems he runs (ran) a clean operation.

Additionally, I googled his name and i came up with the following:

Omar Rachid: President of the Rotary Club, President of the Victoria Adult literacy council, Chairman of the Amercian Red Cross, Midcoast Family Services, YMCA, President of United Way and lots more... see for yourself: http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Rachid...

So it seems to me that he has done and continues to be doing a lot, maybe you need to let go of whatever your prejudices and/or personal issues are and look at what could be a solution to a problem we have with the current way things are ran.

I don't know I am nobody really, but I like Omar. Attacking him in a forum such as this when I simply said "I" like Omar seems a bit defensive.

2 white trucks out there on the loop today and markers planted all ready...

I must admit I have been a supporter of most of the unpopular decisions, although this is a bit much. When the talk of the city is budget cuts...why are we making more debt. At a time when revenues are down spending money on a STATE road is not the answer.

How many traffic lights could we buy for that million dollar price tag? Other cities do quite well with traffic lights on major streets. Why can't we?

I think "Jeff Williams for Mayor" has a nice ring to it, also. Few have demonstrated a more deliberate & analytical approach to government issues. He has the critical thinking skills & respect for taxpayers that Armstrong is lacking.

I personally am for the overpasses. I think the Mayor could have worked with the county to secure a greater funding from the county, even if it was to be paid in longer period of time.

With that being said, I feel this Mayor has been a Mayor that loves to spend TAX PAYERS money. For the last 12 months he advocated spending for the following:

• $30k on the city manager raise

• $750k to the Convention & Visitors bureau

• $1.2 million on a new fire station

• $450k on the land for the Sewer plant

AND NOW...

• $8.1 Million for the overpasses

I think we need to see that a new Mayor gets elected. I hope what I have heard is accurate... I have heard from a reliable source that Omar Rachid is going to file to run for Mayor. I HOPE he does, because I know the guy personally and believe he will do a GREAT job.

"Omar Rachid for Mayor" - kinda has a good ring to it.

Why was this not considered when the buidling of the highway began? Why was this not considered when the building of the school began? Now, once the school has opened we are going to have all this construction? That sounds dangerous. Have they even considered where the entrance and exit to the school parking is going to take place? Probably not. People, get it together, for the safety of our children, student drivers, and the parents who have to travel in the school zones.

What this town really needs is a whole new city government and school board. One that thinks ahead, why were these schools built here? They should have been built in a location where no overpasses were needed. Think people think. Save our taxpayers some money. But that might require a brain, right.

yes the salem overpass should of been included with the first building of loop (oh well pay now) Question there was once a concederation of extending airline out to airport, if this happens will they build another overpass????? city planning maybe you should of concedered putting a string of red lights on the loop for the traffic control. Austin did it on the hwy 183. This saving would allow for the planning of the second loop for victoria.

This current city council should be replaced as soon as possible. Nothing but a bunch of advocates for tax increases with no decrease in sight. Lousy!

*nit picking warning=principal used as a noun in the article is incorrect. Principle is the correct word. Even when it's dealing with money, principal needs to be used as an adjective, not a noun.

Now as far as the subject of the article, it is beyond belief that so much money is being used to build overpasses and yet there are so many areas in much greater need in the community. Wonder how safe those areas will be during the construction, especially with all the extra traffic from the schools? Doesn't sound like something that has been well-thought through.

The project managers for the new bypass were not doing their job correctly. Theses overpasses should have been built when the by pass was rebuilt.
Someone is not doing their job. That is a hint to city planning of Victoria.

Why not just build a toll road and those who use the stupid thing can pay for it

That is the dumbest most idiotic decision they made! Now taxes are going to shoot through the roof. The cost of living always goes up in college towns. The taxes go up in college towns. So just add to the deficit by building overpasses every time someone is too lazy to stop at a red light. Next thing you will see...... they need to build a over the road cross walk for the college dorms over rio grande due to student safety.