ROBSTOWN, Texas — Nueces County is taking charge of a complaint out in Robstown that’s been around for years — the potholes that plague Bauer Road.
The county voted to repave and perform improvements on the road in January, after residents complained the road’s current condition is a safety issue.
Nueces County Pct. 3 Commissioner John Marez voted "yes" on the project, along with everyone else.
“This is a heavily traveled road for county residents,” he said, adding that the city of Robstown’s previous administration had asked the county for help. “When we get heavy rains, there’s a lot of flooding. And so, to access parts of the county that are connected there to the city of Robstown, is why we created this plan and why we’re partnering with them.”
The funding for the project comes as a result of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for which Nueces County had applied.
The city of Robstown won’t have to pay for it, although it will be responsible for its maintenance once it’s completed.
“We’ll be coordinating with them once the construction phase starts, as far as any road closures or any other assistance that they need,” said Robstown city secretary Sal Ochoa.
Marez said construction could begin by at least the end of the year.
“It’s a real gamechanger,” Marez said. “Potential to really help spur a lot of growth in the area with all the industry that’s being done along I-69 in Nueces County, and even up all the way to San (Patricio).”
Billy Noble, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, has experienced the hardships firsthand.
“Whenever they do fix these panels, they don’t put no tar in them, and then they just set it down and take off,” he said. “Now you can’t even drive down the darn thing.”
Noble said he’s reached out to the city several times complaining about the streets and the lack of drainage. Even though he said he has no issues with the county, he’s just hoping to see results.
“ I own (property) across the street," he said. "I’ve got 20 acres over there and I’ve got 20 acres over here. And I can’t even sell it because of this street. Just have this dang street worked on. Fixed — not just worked on. But other than that, everything‘s fine.”
