Residents demand action as Brownsville roads deteriorate

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Brownsville residents are sounding the alarm over deteriorating road conditions across the city, as potholes, cracks, and uneven roads create daily challenges for drivers and pose serious safety risks.

Businesses and residents on Linda Lane in the Southmost area say the road damage has become impossible to ignore due to deep potholes and crumbling pavement.

Community members say the area has been in desperate need of repairs for more than a year. They note that the street deteriorates more with each passing month. Although there are over 20 separate patches, no permanent repair has been implemented.

Business owner Coral Villarreal says her employees and customers have struggled to access local businesses in the area because of the severe damage and flooding. She says not only does Linda Lane need attention, but several other streets in Brownsville as well.

Brownsville Deputy City Manager Alan Guard says the city approved a capital improvement plan with a $253 million budget for the year 2026.

He says a large portion of this budget is going toward major reconstruction projects like Coffeeport Road, 14th Street, and Old Alice Road. Eight percent of the $130 million general fund will go into street maintenance. The city is also investing over $1 million into mill and overlay projects, and over $20 million into improving traffic signalization.

“We have a whole variety of services that people expect, and we’ve found a number of creative ways to make sure that we’re meeting those needs and trying to address those while keeping our property tax rate the same and providing good quality,” said Guard.

Guard says these projects do not have a set timeline but will be ongoing. He says community members can expect to see more improvements beginning in October and continuing into next year.

He adds that the city is prioritizing the worst streets in each of the four districts and will continue working through the rest of the city based on the severity of the damage.

Guard says the city hears the concerns of its citizens and is working toward creating a better Brownsville for everyone. He asks for patience and understanding as these improvements begin to unfold over the next few years.