Hustle and Bustle

Los Fresnos Seeing Busy Construction Traffic

Much new construction has been the norm in and around Los Fresnos recently and is not expected to dissipate soon.  The recent truck traffic, seen coming to and fro the Rodeo Grounds, carrying large timbers resembling railroad ties is associated with a much larger effort known as the Cross Valley Project which the Public Utilities Commission of Texas approved in April of last year.  Michels Power, a division of Michels Corporation, has been awarded a contract to construct approximately 48 miles of new electric transmission facilities as part of the Northern Edinburg to Loma Alta 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission line for Sharyland Utilities.  The line will run east and terminate at the proposed Sharyland Utilities Palmito substation, located adjacent to the existing Brownsville Public Utilities Board-owned Loma Alta substation, which is located at the Brownsville Ship Channel.

The large timbers are used for temporary roads, much like a plank road, for construction equipment and crews to access areas around the ship channel which are very sandy and loose especially in wet weather.  This project is needed to ensure reliable electric service for the Lower Rio Grande Valley, while also addressing continued growth in electrical load in the Brownsville area.  While the path of the transmission line does not pass directly through Los Fresnos, the opportunities are there for cities, local businesses and service organizations to make the best of the added traffic of crews and equipment as more major projects continue coming to this area.  If you would like to know more about the Cross Valley Project please visit www.crossvalleyproject.com