By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
A public meeting on a proposed second international bridge between Del Rio and Ciudad
Acuña, Coah., Mexico has been scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 16.
The meeting is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and will be held at the Del Rio Civic
Center, 1915 Veterans Blvd. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at
7:30 p.m.
According to a public notice on the meeting issued by the city, the public meeting “will
begin with a presentation describing the history of the proposed project, including the
development of project alternatives.”
“Following the presentation, attendees will be able to ask questions of city staff members
and/or the project consultant team, review projects materials (informational displays,
maps, etc.) and provide written or verbal comments at the public meeting,” the notice
reads.
The notice also discusses the proposed international bridge project, which has been the
subject of two prior public meetings, one on Nov. 2, 2022 and the second on June 8,
2023.
The third public meeting has been set, according to the public notice, “to present new
project alternatives and updated project materials.”
The notice reads, “The proposed project, the Del Rio-Acuña II International Bridge
project, would be located west and northwest of Del Rio. The proposed project
conceptually consists of a four-lane bridge across the Rio Grande, bridge approaches,
associated roadways and a General Services Administration POE (port of entry)
inspection facility and supporting infrastructure.
“The associated roadways would include a direct connection to U.S. Highway 90 and an
easy-west connector route to and from the Del Rio International Airport. The proposed
project, including the bridge, POE facility and new roadways would be sited primarily on
vacant and/or undeveloped tracts of land. The proposed project is intended to: 1) promote
economic growth and commercial development in Del Rio, 2) provide an international
crossing for commercial traffic that would avoid traffic through the central business
district of Del Rio, 3) provide a direct connection to the Ports-to-Plains corridor and 4)
provide an alternative thoroughfare for international commercial traffic,” the notice reads.
The city’s public notice on the public meeting notes the meeting will be conducted in
English, but Spanish-English translation services will be available.
The city’s consultants on the international bridge project, RRP Consulting Engineers of
San Antonio, will again solicit public comments on the proposed project. Verbal and
written comments may be given during the public meeting.
Written comments may be sent to RRP Consulting Engineers, LLC, Del Rio-Acuña II
International Bridge Project, 5805 Callaghan Road, Suite 202, San Antonio, TX 78228.
Written comments may also be submitted by email and sent to the following:
DelRioAcuna2@rrpeng.com .
All comments must be submitted by Nov. 1.
The public notice reads, “The city of Del Rio intends to submit an application for
approval to construct an international bridge to the Texas Transportation Commission.”
The public notice also reads that anyone with “general questions or concerns” about the
project or the planned public meeting is asked to contact Michael C. Riojas, project
manager, for RRP Consulting Engineers at (210) 706-5801 or email him at
DelRioAcuna2@rrpeng.com
Reach the writer at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
