365 highway, water treatments and more in Mission

The City of Mission has several capital improvement projects in the works. From roadwork to a new public safety station, Mission has construction throughout the city. At the Feb. 13 Mission City Council meeting, City Manager Randy Perez provided an update on the different projects. 

SH 365

The Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority has been working on a tollway project for almost a year. Mission entered into a partnership with the transportation authority to conduct phase one of the project, which is the utility relocation. Mission’s portion of the operation costs $1,207,420.10, and the HCRMA will reimburse the city for 50% of the project. 

Mission began removing existing utility lines and reconnecting them July 21, 2022, and Perez said they are about 65% complete. Once the city finishes phase one of the project, the county regional mobility authority can move on to the construction phase. The projected completion year for the entire endeavor is 2025. 

The 365 Tollway is a state highway in Hidalgo County designed for heavy commercial vehicles. It stretches for 12.2 miles and runs east to west from the Anzalduas Port of entry to the Pharr/Reynosa International Bridge. The structure will be about three miles north of the Texas-Mexico border. 

SHARY BUSINESS PARK 

Although a few months late from the original finishing date, the Shary Business Park is now about 85% complete. The development near the Anzalduas International Bridge is part of a larger project with the Killam Development. 

Mission received a $3 million grant from the Mission Economic Development Corporation and the Economic Development Administration to cover the cost, which totals $3,910,000. Killam Development will cover the remaining $910,000. 

Killam is a real estate company that purchased more than 3,500 acres of land in Mission and McAllen. With the new additions to the city, Killam promised new housing, entertainment, recreational and educational facilities. Although they will not complete the entire operation for the next 15-20 years, this construction phase has a projected completion for next month. 

STATION NO. 6

Mission’s combined police and fire station located on Military Road and Schuerbach Road is more than halfway finished. Although the initial completion date was Feb. 9, the structure is going up smoothly. Despite the reported 21 weather days, in less than a month, contractors enclosed the exterior, began bricking the building and prepared the parking lot for asphalt pouring.

The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) will cover the cost of the entire $6,160,040 project. 

SEWER AND WATER TREATMENTS

The city plans to replace filters at the North Water Treatment Plant to improve water pressure in homes. The projected cost is $690,000 with a duration of 180 days. 

At the South Water Treatment Plant, Mission has a major sludge removal planned for about 25,000 cubic yards of land. The sludge removal will improve water quality, reduce potential health risks and minimize smells from the sludge build-up. The projected cost is $800,000 with a duration of 50 days. 

Mission is expanding its sewer services along Shary Road in anticipation of new development, and rerouting sewer trunk lines along Inspiration Road to better serve the areas. The estimated project costs are $250,000 and $1.5 million, respectively. Additionally, the city is working on a $1.8 million sanitary sewer project on Bentsen Palm to expand its services. 

“We’re excited as we move forward,” City Manager Randy Perez said in a recent interview about the new projects. “It’s an opportunity for our city to grow, not only in valuation but also to create jobs and have the workforce here, and to have more families move into the city of Mission for these new developments.”