Harlingen Street Improvement Plan for 2025 saves residents' taxdollars

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Harlingen City Commission has approved a street crew within the Public Works Department to repair streets as part of the 2025 Street Improvement Plan.

The city plans to work on nearly twice as many streets as last year while keeping the same $1.5 million budget.

There are 23 streets on the list, ranging from 300 feet to over 4,000 feet in length and totaling over 7 miles of improvement across all five districts.

Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda said the goal is to stretch taxpayer dollars towards more improvements at no extra cost and to find a way to combat inflation.

“Historically, the city of Harlingen has designated about $1.5 million in the budget to be able to redo roads. Before that would translate to about three to four miles, in 2025 you can expect to see double that,” Sepulveda said. “We did not want to reduce that amount because of inflation and issues that are beyond our control and should not be a burden on the taxpayers.”

The improvements begin with Graham Road starting in January. Sepulveda said they chose priority over the roads that need the most improvement and the areas that had the most community input.

Harlingen residents who live on the streets on the list said their bigger concern was addressing drainage issues in the neighborhoods.

Becky Lane and Stone Road were some of the areas where residents expressed concerns over flooding.

Christopher Thomae, who lives on Stone Road, said he does not believe street improvements are as critical as drainage improvements.

“There has been some potholes and stuff that has caused damage to residents’ vehicles but I’d say the main concern would be the flooding,” Thomae said. “I would say I hope they would look more into the drainage issues, that’s the main concern.”

Mayor Sepulveda said drainage is an area of concern that the city has focused on in the past and they will continue to make improvements in 2025.

Residents will have an opportunity to voice their thoughts on what areas the city can improve and prioritize at a community meeting on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Harlingen Community Center.