HARLINGEN — The city appears to be saving money as it rolls out its annual street program.
Last night, city commissioners approved a $1.5 million project to pave and reconstruct 15 streets as part of the annual General Fund Street Improvement Project.
Commissioners awarded the job to Earthworks Enterprise, which presented the low bid of $1.2 million, lower than the city’s estimate of $1.5 million.
The low bid led commissioners to accept Public Works Director Celina Gonzales recommendation to add two street projects to the list, pushing the total project cost to $1.5 million.
The project’s additions included Baker Potts Road, a 1,900-foot stretch from Drury Road to Business 83, and a 1,320-foot project along Garrett Road from Tucker Road to Palm Court Drive.
The city expects to launch the project within weeks, City Manager Dan Serna told commissioners.
Commissioner Victor Leal noted the annual program adds to projects currently under construction.
“We’re working on streets now and we’re going to keep working — wonderful,” Leal said.
The city targeted streets across town, Assistant City Manager Carlos Sanchez said.
“It’s all over the city,” Sanchez said in an interview. “The map will show distribution throughout the area.”
Criteria used to select streets included street conditions and volume of traffic, Sanchez said in an earlier interview.
“The project consists of the reconstruction and overlay of existing roadways by removing the existing asphalt pavement, adding and reworking the caliche base,” Gonzales wrote in the project’s executive summary.
The street list was taken from a 15-year master list, Sanchez has said.
In past years, the city has funded its annual street program through its general fund budget, setting aside as much as $1.5 million a year for street projects.
Now, the city’s new street maintenance fee is expected to help fund more street projects.
Last year, commissioners approved the co-called street maintenance fee projected to generate about $1.4 million during the upcoming fiscal year.
Altas Palmas — 4,570 feet — $146,453
Altas Palmas — 752 feet — $24,099
13th Street — 2,080 feet — $175,732
Beckham Road — 2,420 feet — $66,977
M Street — 320 feet —$15,557
M Street — 2,920 feet — $141,959
M Street —586 feet — $31,049
Cottonwood — 800 feet —$39,038
Darrell — 650 feet — $31,718
Thomas Lane — 980 feet — $35,866
N. Mark Circle — 1,040 feet — $38,062
E. Mark Circle — 975 feet — $35,683
Worthwood — 1,500 feet — $76,475
Westwoods Drive — 518 feet — $18,958
Glasscock — 2,014 feet — $96,812
