HARLINGEN — The city is laying out miles and miles of sidewalks.
Two projects would give residents more than 16 miles of reconstructed sidewalks.
“We select sidewalks where there is high usage or a need in those areas,” Assistant City Manager Carlos Sanchez said yesterday.
Earlier this week, city commissioners reviewed a $497,169 project to reconstruct two miles of sidewalks leading to bus routes in three parts of town.
That project, part of the city’s Safe Routes to School program, is being funded through a $397,735 grant from the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council and $99,434 in city money.
“We’ve been very fortunate to get some of these (grants),” City Manager Dan Serna said. “You’re doing these sidewalk projects for 20 cents on the dollar — that’s what it comes out to.”
On Wednesday, commissioners requested Sanchez to negotiate with Kiko Construction to lower its bid, which came in over budget.
Kiko Construction, a Harlingen-based company, presented a low bid of $523,541 — $26,372 over budget.
If negotiations fail, the city would reject the bids and revise the project’s specifications, Sanchez said.
“We would evaluate the scope of work,” he said. “We may have to reduce the amount of sidewalks.”
Then, he said, the city would go out for a second round of bids.
As part of the project, the city plans to reconstruct sidewalks in three parts of town, Sanchez said.
The sidewalks tagged for reconstruction are located near Valley Metro bus stops.
“It connects transit routes,” he said.
Much of the construction will focus on areas along Sixth Street and Jefferson Avenue.
As part of the project, a 4,154-foot stretch of sidewalk will run along Sixth Street from Jefferson Avenue south to Buchanan Avenue.
The project will also include a 3,861-foot section along North 25th St. from Loop 499 south to Rio Hondo Road and then west near 21st Street.
Another 2,727-foot portion will run along Ed Carey Drive from South 25th Street to Haine Drive then to Treasure Hills Boulevard.
More sidewalks
Meanwhile, the city is planning a multimillion-dollar project to build 14 miles of sidewalks, Sanchez said.
Sanchez said the city plans to use a $3.2 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to fund the project.
The grant might require the city fund part of the project, Sanchez said.
How it works
To receive the funding, the city plans to enter into an agreement with the agency to determine which party will carry out work and provide funding.
As part of the project, the city would construct sidewalks along Harrison and Tyler avenues from 77 Sunshine Strip to F Street, from Wilson to Whalen roads and from Loop 499 to Washington Avenue.
Serna said the city does not have construction timelines for the two projects.
Pending Project to build two miles of sidewalks
4,154 feet of sidewalks along Sixth Street from Jefferson Avenue south to Buchanan Avenue
3,861 feet of sidewalks along North 25th St. from Loop 499 south to Rio Hondo Road and then west near 21st Street
2,727-feet of sidewalks along Ed Carey Boulevard from South 25th Street to Haine Drive then to Treasure Hills Boulevard
Total cost $497,169
Proposed project to build 14 miles of sidewalks
3.08 miles of sidewalks along Harrison and Tyler avenues from 77 Sunshine Strip to F Street
5.29 miles of sidewalks from Wilson to Whalen roads
5.4 miles of sidewalks from Loop 499 to Washington Avenue
Total cost about $3.2 million
