Special to El Rrun-Rrun
Here they go again.
For the next 14 months expect to see construction crews on Boca Chica Boulevard from Expressway 77/83 to International Boulevard as the Texas Department of Transportation begins installing medians on the boulevard.
The aim of the $3 million project, which covers 1.5 miles, will be to install raised medians and sidewalks, and perhaps – if we know out city commission – might even include a bike lane.
In other words, it will narrow the boulevard and make left turns almost impossible unless you go to the next traffic light and wait for the left turn signal and make a U-turn.
But, of course, TxDOT spokesman Octavio Saenz.said the changes should improve traffic flow on one of the city’s busiest boulevards. He said some lane closures could occur as the project progresses. A public meeting on the project was held in 2018, and officials said the medians would enhance safety, reduce congestion and improve mobility on the roadway.
But we're sure that if the participants – if there were any – had no idea what the result would be. If you want to see what the "improvements" to Boca Chica will be simply go to the section of FM 802 (Ruben Torres) between Expressway 77/83 and Robindale Road and there you have it.
That road has been narrowed with those medians and unless you spot a turnoff to the other side you have to drive past your destination on the left and continue to the next traffic light before you can turn around and get there. Has anyone figured the hours of delays that has created?
Saenz said Boca Chica Boulevard is ranked 93rd out of 100 congested roads in the state. Somehow or another they figure that the annual hours of delay per mile is 186,259 while the annual congestion cost is $5,531,648. How they came up with those figures only MPO guru Mark Lund would understand.
The project calls for full median openings at Paredes Line Road, Old Port Isabel Road, Strawberry Square, King Highways and Security Drive. A directional median opening will be on North Street.
The project also calls for the removal of traffic lights at Simpson Street — in front of the H-E-B store on Boca Chica Boulevard — and at Los Amigos Plaza and Home Depot Intersections.
The project also calls for the removal of traffic lights at Simpson Street — in front of the H-E-B store on Boca Chica Boulevard — and at Los Amigos Plaza and Home Depot Intersections.
Whatever justifications they want to ascribe to the project, the result will be a narrowing of the boulevard and a restriction on left turns which TxDOT believes are anathema to efficient circulation. It ain't your grandma's Boca Chica anymore.