DOT officials seek state-line bridge input

Highway officials have scheduled two more meetings seeking input for a possible railroad bridge project at the state line.

But the options for this proposed bridge are down to one, and businesses in Texico and Farwell could be negatively impacted if it’s approved.

Public meetings are set for:

• 5:30 p.m. (CST) Feb. 15 at the Farwell schools administration building, 805 Ave. G in Farwell

• 5:30 p.m. (MST) Feb. 22 in the Texico schools cafeteria, 520 N. Griffin St. in Texico.

Department of Transportation officials in Texas and New Mexico have been discussing for months a bridge that would “span the existing railroad line and allow the traveling public to experience continuous traffic flow without train delays” between Texico and Farwell.

Officials in the summer offered two options – a Texas-only bypass north of Farwell or a bridge over U.S. 70/84 where heavy traffic routinely backs up when an average of 72 trains travel between Clovis and Amarillo daily.

Documents provided by both DOTs show the bypass option has since been eliminated as feasible, though reasons for that decision were not stated.

The bridge over the highway that connects Texico to Farwell will likely impact multiple businesses in both communities.

The meetings later this month are to hear interests ranging from uninterrupted traffic flow to business impacts to whether the communities want a bridge at all.

DOT officials in June heard a wide variety of viewpoints.

Brandon Embry told officials, “I have been a lifelong resident of the Farwell/Texico area, and have spent many hours of my life waiting for trains and traffic at the state line. So I am eager to see a solution to this malfunction junction we have been living with for decades.”

J.R. Ivins said, “Option 1, the traditional overpass, would definitely solve the problem, but it would be devastating to the main street businesses of both Texico and Farwell. Protracted disruption during years of construction would likely result in the death of most affected businesses. It would also permanently damage the community culture of unity for both communities.”

Embry and Ivins both pitched alternate options that DOT officials rejected.

Rob Pomper, writing in an email on behalf of the Farwell Chamber of Commerce, favored Option 2, the all-Texas construction project.

“We feel there are simply too many issues with Option 1 right now. Specifically, we are worried about how to turn around from the frontage roads onto the highway. We also are very worried about losing businesses, especially in Texico where two of the three largest businesses in the city would be in the path.”

Pomper also told authorities in his email, “(O)verwhelmingly, the Chamber appreciates TXDOT for taking this seriously. We know it’s a big project, and one we wish had been done 70 years ago. Since we can’t change the past, we’d love to change our future.”

If constructed over the highway, officials have said the bridge would be approximately 23 feet high with two travel lanes in each direction.

DOT officials said reasons for a bridge include:

• Enhance the traffic mobility for emergency responders in the communities.

• Provide a safer crossing for roadway users by eliminating the railroad crossing at the state line.

• Reduction of delayed traffic and congestion at streets attempting to enter U.S. 60, US 70/84 in the communities of Texico and Farwell.

• Reduce the potential for train versus pedestrian and train versus vehicle crashes.

• Eliminate train delays which will improve access on U.S. 60/70/84.