Friends,
As you have noticed, there is much work being done on the Thomas Arnold Bridge. The hand railings across the bridge are being installed for the safety of those walking across the bridge. The concrete cap on the locking wall is being poured. Grass will be planted on the sides. The purpose of this is to completely finish the bridge.
The Thomas Arnold road will be paved from Main Street to West Village at no cost to the Village. This is great news as Thomas Arnold was one of the roads identified for major repair this Spring. It will save the village between $50,000 and $96,000. The money can be used to repair another road.
On 14 April, a meeting will be held with the District Engineer and our County Commissioner. The purpose is to discuss completing the construction of the Salado section of I-35 by 1 December and the possibility of curbs and guttering for Main Street.
We will also discuss traffic coming down Main Street. PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY. Main Street is a state highway. In reality, we have no control over it. For safety and welfare reasons, we can block it in cases of emergency with permission from TXDOT, and we do. When we do, it is important that the State Highway Patrol is involved.
The only way we can change this is to take full responsibility for Main Street. However, that means full responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of the road and the bridge. TXDOT, at the end of the construction, will completely repave Main Street at no expense to the Village. That is part of the contract with James Construction.
The Board of Aldermen have discussed this many times and will continue to discuss it. The road with curb and guttering can probably be maintained effectively. However, the bridge is another matter. The question is "how can we protect the village and repair the bridge if something happens to the bridge?"
1. Insurance is one possibility but it is expensive.
2. The Village takes the road and not the bridge is another possibility but difficult as there are state ordinances that will require a variance.
3. And, of course, the Village can say, "No, thank you. You keep the Main Street and the bridge."
Now we have gone full circle -- the Village has no control over Main Street without TXDOt's permission. The solutions are not as easy as one thinks.
There is a Federal Bridge Law that says if a bridge is severely damaged or destroyed they will pay part and the Village will pay part to repair or rebuild it. However, to repair or replace the bridge will cost millions and the Village will probably not have their share of the money. Also, "the wheels of the government move slowly." It will not be an "over-night-process to receive the money and start repairing or replacing the bridge."
The Board of Aldermen will continue to discuss all the options with TXDOT, but there is no easy answer.
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