Fall 2016                                                                                     Issue 7
HSBMPO Newsletter
In this issue:
  • Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan
  • Bike Share Program
  • Upcoming Trainings and Confrences
  • TxDOT Reports
  • Save The Date: TAC & TPC Meetings
  • Upcoming Events
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Over the past few months the HSBMPO has been working closely with HALFF Associates to develop a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan for our MPO area. After many reviews and comments received from the community, the Bike & Ped Task Force, Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), Transportation Policy Committee (TPC), and each of our MPO cities, we have entered the last stage of the development of this Master Plan. This plan identifies gaps in the existing infrastructure within the HSBMPO planning area and creates recommendations for a complete, multi-modal, and user-friendly system of alternative transportation options such as bike lanes, sidewalks, and trails. Following the adoption of this plan, we look forward to helping each city with the implementation of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan in their area. Click here to view the  Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

Example Demonstration of a Cycle Track on East Tyler Avenue in Harlingen, TX.
Example of Cycle Track on East Tyler Avenue, Harlingen,Tx
Zagster Bike Share Program
Zagster makes bike sharing possible for every community! Zagster is the leading provider of bike shares for cities, universities, businesses, and properties.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), along with the cities of Harlingen, Brownsville, and Edinburg have partnered to bring Zagster to the Rio Grande Valley. 
Harlingen Stations
UTRGV Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC)
McKelvey Park
Zagster will have 2 locations within the City of Harlingen. One location will be at the UTRGV Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) on Treasure Hills Blvd. The other location will be at McKelvey Park. Prices will be as follows:
  • Per Hour- $2
  • Monthly Pass- $15
  • Annual Pass- $35

(Monthly and Annual passes include 1st free hour.)

MPO Staff will be attending the following upcoming trainings and conferences:

Developing an Indirect Cost Allocation Plan: This training is for FHWA, State and local government agency employees who are responsible for or wish to learn more about developing an indirect cost allocation plan and submitting that plan to their cognizant agency for approval. 

2016 Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO)Annual Conference: The AMPO Annual Conference brings together MPO staff, Policy Board members, federal and state employees, and consultants to share information on a variety of MPO issues.

Texas Metropolitan Planning Organizations (TEMPO) Meeting:  The Texas Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (TEMPO), with assistance from TxDOT TPP, is revising the current Category 2 funding formula.  This formula will be used to distribute the Proposition 1 and Proposition 7 allocations to each MPO in the state. 
TxDOT Reports
DATE: August 5, 2016
Harlingen-San Benito MPO
Project Status Report:

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (ESTIMATED TOTAL COST $53,045,925.90)

 
A)  US 281: Roadway Rehabilitation and Widening (CSJ: 0220-03-028)
 
Cost  $ 7,709,997.35                              Project Length: 3.863 MILES
Contractor: ASAGO, LLC                        Working days: 400 Days (20 months)
September 2014 Letting                                   Work Started: June 11, 2015
Est.Completion Date:February 2017             Preconstruction Meeting: December 10,  2014

Project Manager: David Vera, P.E.
 
Limits :  From 0.05 MI W of FM 1479 To 0.24 MI E of FM 506
 

This project consists of rehabilitation and widening of existing road consisting of: Grading, Lime Treatment, Subgrade, Flexible Base, Asphaltic Concrete Pavement, Pavement Markings & Striping.
 
55.53 % Complete
70.73 % Time Used

 

 
B)  South Parallel Corridor: New Construction (CSJ: 0921-06-241) (LOCAL LET)
Cost:  $ 3,824,368.25                                       Project Length: 2.11 MILES
Contractor: Foremost Paving, Inc.               Working days:  200 Days (10 months)
Locally Let                                                          Work Started: May 21, 2015
Est. Completion Date: August 2016            Preconstruction Meeting: February 25, 2015 

Project Manager: Andres Espinoza, P.E.
 
Limits: From FM 1479 To FM 509
 
This project consists of constructing a new roadway consisting of: Grading, Lime Treatment, Subgrade, Flexible Base, Asphaltic Concrete Pavement, Flashing Beacons, Culvert Structures, Irrigation Structures, Riprap, Signing, Pavement Markings & Striping.
 

97.29 % Complete
91.50 % Time Used                               

 
C)   FM 106: Roadway Reconstruction (CSJ: 2243-01-009)
 
Cost:   $ 15,555,191                                          Project Length: 11.4 MILES
Contractor: Texas SAI, Inc.                             Working days:  420 Days (21 months)
September 2014 Letting                                 Work Started: November 9, 2015
Est. Completion Date: January 2018          Preconstruction Meeting:Sept. 17, 2015 

Project Manager: David Vera, P.E.
 
Limits:   From FM 1847 To FM 510
 
This project consists of reconstructing an existing roadway consisting of:
Roadway Realignment, Drainage Structures, Lime Treatment, Subgrade, Flexible Base, Asphaltic Concrete Pavement, Signing, Pavement Markings & Striping.
 

25.61 % Complete
39.87 % Time Used
 
D)   BSIF AT LOS INDIOS (CSJ: 0921-06-208)
 
Cost:   $ 6,949,740                                                Project Length: .001 MILES
Contractor: Foremost Paving, Inc.                 Working days:  262 Days (13 months)
August 2014 Letting                                           Work Started: February 23, 2015
Est.Completion Date: December 2016        Preconstruction Meeting: January 8, 2015

Project Manager: Sergio Sustaita, P.E.
 
Limits:   At Los Indios Free Trade International Bridge
 
This project consists of the construction of a Border Safety Inspection Facility(BSIF) (Phase I): Drainage Structures, Lime Treatment, Subgrade, Flexible Base, Asphaltic Concrete Pavement, Concrete Pavement(Continuously Reinforced)(10”), Signing, Pavement Markings & Striping .
 
74.90 % Complete
138.17 % Time Used
 

E)   US 281: Roadway Rehabilitation and Widening (CSJ: 0220-03-027)
 
Cost  $ 5,229,349                                             Project Length: 2.789 MILES
Contractor: Foremost Paving, Inc.                 Working days:  380 Days (19 months)
December 2014 Letting                                     Work Started: February 18, 2015
Est.Completion Date: February 2017          Preconstruction Meeting:  February 10,  2015

Project Manager: David Vera, P.E.
 
Limits:  From 0.099 mi. E. of Hidalgo/Cameron County Line to 0.24 mi. E. of FM 506
 
This project consists of rehabilitation and widening of existing road consisting of:
Grading, Lime Treatment, Subgrade, Flexible Base, Asphaltic Concrete Pavement, Pavement Markings & Striping.
 
63.80 % Complete
61.84 % Time Used


F)  1 & 2 CR Off System Bridge Replacements: (CSJ: 0921-06-248)
 
Cost  $ 1,371,237                                                Project Length: Varies
Contractor: Valley Infrastructure                   Working days:  240 Days (12 months)
December 2014 Letting                                   Work Started: February 2016
Est. Completion Date: December 2016       Preconstruction Meeting: November 19, 2015

Project Manager: David Vera, P.E.
 
This project consists of replacing two off system bridges and their approaches. One bridge is located on Kornegay Rd just south of FM 1561, and the other is located on Mile Line 20 Rd 0.5 MI E of Nelson Rd.
 
47.79 % Complete
47.50 % Time Used


G)  Bridge Rehabilitation (Rio Hondo Lift Bridge): (CSJ: 0630-02-041)
 
Cost  $ 12,406,043.30                                               Project Length: 0.117 MILES
Contractor: PCL Civil Contractors. Inc.                Working days: 651 Days (33 months)
July 2015 Letting                                                           Work Started: NA
Est. Completion Date: December 2017                 Preconstruction Meeting: NA

Project Manager: Sergio Sustaita, P.E.
 
This project consists of bridge rehabilitation consisting of: Structural, mechanical, and electrical rehabilitation, fender repairs, bridge railing retrofit and channel bank improvements.
 
6.45 % Complete
7.83 % Time Used


DESIGN PROJECTS (ESTIMATED TOTAL COST $ 13.37 MILLION)
 
1.   South Parallel Corridor: CSJ: 0921-06-252 New Construction
 

This project consists of a new roadway connecting the South Parallel Corridor from FM 509 to FM 1577. Proposed typical sections will be given out at a later date. The current estimated cost is $9.57 million. This project has a tentative letting date of May 2017.
 

2.   US 281 Roadway Rehabilitation and Widening: CSJ: 0220-03-030

This project consists of rehabilitation and widening of existing road consisting of: Grading, Lime Treatment, Subgrade, Flexible Base, Asphaltic Concrete Pavement, Pavement Markings & Striping. The current estimated cost is $3.8 million.  This project has a tentative letting date of October 2016.
Limits: From 0.05 MI W of FM 1479 to FM 509.

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting

Location : Lon C. Hill Building
                  502 E. Tyler St.
                  Harlingen, TX 78550
       Time : 10:00AM
       Date : September 29, 2016
                  October 27, 2016
                  November 24, 2016 (TBD)
                  December 29, 2016 

Transportation Policy Committee (TPC) Meeting

Location : Harlingen City Hall
                  118 E. Tyler St.
                  Harlingen, TX 78550
      Time : 2:00PM
      Date : September 14, 2016
                 October 12, 2016
                 November 9, 2016
                 December 14, 2016

  • 2nd Annual Run With the Heroes RGV 5k Run/Walk 
    September 24

  • Raul Alcala Challenge
    November 6, 2016

  • Harlingen Half Marathon 2016 November 13