The Brownsville Public Utility Board is getting closer to the intersection at Four Corners with its Boca Chica Boulevard waterline upgrade project, and phase two of the associated traffic control plan is about to kick in.
BPUB began the project on Nov. 21. It involves installation of a new 16-inch water line to be part of an eventual waterline loop to the utility’s new 2-million-gallon elevated water storage tank under construction at the corner of Southmost Boulevard and East 30th Street. The new tank is meant to replace an older elevated tank on Southmost demolished in 2018, and another one on the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley campus that will be demolished once the new 2-million-gallon tank is operational.
BPUB initially closed one lane of Boca Chica from Owens Road to International Boulevard, though in response to the resulting traffic snarl shortened it to between Owen Road and Reina Esther Drive.
Phase two, which starts Jan. 23, will require “tapering” the two eastbound lanes starting at the intersection of Boca Chica and Security Drive.
“Eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane,” BPUB said. “The turn-right-yield lane on State Highway 48 to access Boca Chica Boulevard will be temporarily closed. All traffic will be required to go through the intersection.”
During construction the Brownsville Police Department will be redirecting traffic during peak hours until motorists get used to phase-two traffic control. BPUB estimated in November that the project would be complete in April with the caveat that “all construction dates and times are approximate, and the end date and time may vary due to the nature of weather, soil conditions and job provisions.”
BPUB said all necessary permits for this project have been granted by the Texas Department of Transportation (Boca Chica Boulevard is also S.H. 4), while BPUB is coordinating with TxDOT and the city of Brownsville to ensure the project goes safely and efficiently.
“BPUB apologizes for any inconveniences the closure may cause,” said the utility. “The Boca Chica waterline upgrade project will provide reliability and improve BPUB’s water distribution system, in conjunction with the new 2-million-gallon elevated storage tank.”
For more information about road closures go to brownsville-pub.com. Customers with questions or concerns can call BPUB at (956) 983-6100.
