Brownsville’s Old Highway 77 to get $13 million makeover

Brownsville’s long-neglected Old Highway 77 is on the cusp of a total reconstruction along the two miles between Ruben Torres Boulevard and Morrison Road, a segment of what was once the main north-south route in and out of the city.

A ceremonial groundbreaking took place Tuesday morning at Plains Capital Bank, 100 Morrison Road, with city officials and others involved in the project in attendance.

Utilities are already being relocated to make for the $13 million project, part of the city’s nearly $100 million Capital Improvement Projects budget for this year.

Brownsville Assistant City Manager Doroteo Garcia Jr., formerly the city’s director of Engineering and Public Works, said the Old Highway 77 project will entail scraping off the old two-lane road all the way down to dirt, then replacing it with three lanes — two lanes of travel and a center turning lane. All the old water and sewer lines and drainage pipes will be replaced, which will “hopefully alleviate a lot of the issues with our have with our infrastructure,” he said.

The city of Brownsville along with local dignitaries celebrate the groundbreaking of the reconstruction of Old Highway 77 Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, during an official ceremony at Plains Capital Bank in Brownsville along Old Highway 77. (Miguel Roberts/The Brownsville Herald)

The new road will feature a 10-foot-wide trail on one side and a 5-foot-wide trail on the other, Garcia said, expressing gratitude to city commissioner for fast-tracking the project, which initially was going to be delayed until 2027 because of the cost. Pre-design planning started in 2021, and design work got underway in earnest in 2022, he said.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing the final design of this roadway,” Garcia said. “I can tell that being here with the city 22 years and seeing a project of this magnitude is really impressive.”

Old Highway 77 has not had any significant improvements in at least 12 years, he said. The project will be done in three phases, starting with the west side, Garcia said. Crews should start tearing out the old road around the end of November, followed by several months of heavy construction, which will include new utility infrastructure, Garcia said.

“That’s why we’re starting on the west side, to replace most of the utilities, then after that we’ll move onto the east side,” he said. “That’s really just roadway improvements and a little bit of drainage. The bulk of the utilities will be done in phase one and phase two.”

The intention is to have one lane open at all times but for brief periods when both lanes may be closed, Garcia said. The entire project is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete.

City Manager Helen Ramirez said the new road will have much better lighting and be “much more walkable.” She asked residents to be vigilant behind the wheel with the Old Highway 77 and other construction projects going on around the city.

The city of Brownsville along with local dignitaries celebrate the groundbreaking of the reconstruction of Old Highway 77 Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, during an official ceremony at Plains Capital Bank in Brownsville along Old Highway 77. (Miguel Roberts/The Brownsville Herald)

Brownsville Public Utilities Board is contributing $5 million toward the Old Highway 77 project, which is being paid for through certificates of obligation, typically used by local governments to fund major construction.

Mayor John Cowen Jr. said during Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony that in his time as mayor, and earlier as city commissioner, he heard more complaints from residents about Old Highway 77 than any other road because of its poor condition. Rebuilding it is a “vital investment in the city’s infrastructure” and lays the “foundation for future economic development,” he said.

“By improving one of the busiest roads, we are ensuring that businesses have the necessary infrastructure to grow, attract new investments and create jobs in Brownsville,” Cowen said.

The mayor’s office and commission are committed to improving quality of life for the city’s residents, he said.

“We know that this project may bring some short term inconveniences, but the end result will bring a tremendous benefit to this community,” Cowen said.

District 4 Commissioner Pedro Cardenas said the Old Highway 77 project was just a dream three and a half years ago, and thanked all the city departments and personnel that have made it come true.

“It took us a while, but we’re here today and we’re about to start,” he said. “It’s great for Brownsville.”

The post Brownsville’s Old Highway 77 to get $13 million makeover appeared first on MyRGV.com.