Major Texas-side projects are progressing

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second of two updates on the progress of large-scale city projects planned for this year. A story on Arkansasside projects was published May 16.

TEXARKANA, Texas — Four major redevelopment and infrastructure projects are well underway despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a city spokesperson said Thursday.

New sidewalks, the extension of Gibson Lane over Wagner Creek, the rehabilitation of the Hotel Grim and construction of a new fire station are all moving forward.

Sidewalk improvements

Construction work is continuing on sidewalk improvements along Summerhill Road and Richmond Road as part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s

Statewide Curb Ramp and Pedestrian Improvement Program.

The sidewalk improvements include over 3 miles of new sidewalk along Richmond Road from Robison Road to College Drive, Summerhill Road from Summer Ridge to Kennedy Lane in front of Texas High School and Summerhill Road from U.S. Highway 82 to 10th Street in front of Tiger Stadium at Grim Memorial Park.

In February 2019, the City Council voted to allocate more than $37,000 in matching funds to get more than $371,000 in TxDOT grants for the project. TxDOT contractors began work earlier this year.

Gibson Lane extension

Construction on the Gibson Lane extension project began May 4 with mobilization, tree clearing and right-of-way preparation. Weather permitting, preparations for undercutting will begin next week. Total project cost as of now is just under $6.5 million.

The project will result in connecting two points where Gibson comes to an end at Pleasant Grove Road and University Avenue, and it will include a 500-foot bridge over Wagner Creek.

East Texas Bridge of Longview, Texas, won the contract for the project, and the city is also paying CenterPoint Energy more than $57,000 to relocate gas lines as part

of construction.

The contract was planned for in the current city budget, part of a bond package that will also fund construction of a new fire station in the same area.