CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A proposed road extension goes through the property on which the Corpus Christi Independent School District plans to build the new Carroll High School, but district leaders are hopeful the city council will change that.
A final vote is expected Tuesday on an amendment to the ordinance that approved extending both sections of Carroll Lane to Kostoryz Road. A passing vote would eliminate the southern extension plans that would take Carroll through a small section of the new school project site.
"This one little road is actually going to hurt more than it's going to help," said Roland Barrera, the council member for District 3, where the school and the road will be built. "Unfortunately my colleague on the council seems to feel otherwise."
Barrera is referring to District 5 Council Member Gil Hernandez, who spoke out against amending the ordinance at a previous meeting. He says he plans to do so again before Tuesday's vote.
"We don't want to create more traffic issues," Hernandez said. "That's why I'm against eliminating that easement for Carroll Lane."
The odds are stacked against him. The ordinance passed its first vote 8 to 1. Hernandez will have to convince four voting members to join his side to be successful.
"I don't know if I'm going to win this," Hernandez said. "I doubt it, but I would be remiss not to try."
The northern section of Carroll Lane getting extended will remain on the books regardless of tomorrow's vote. That means road construction in the future along with construction of the new Carroll High.
"Bear with us," Barrera said. "We have a lot of construction going on. This is just part of growing pains, and we're excited. I've been waiting for that development of that area for over 30 years, and I'm pretty fired up."
