Officials present new option for railroad overpass

Highway officials on Thursday in Texico presented a new option for building a railroad overpass near the New Mexico and Texas state line. Many of the residents who came to review the new schematic expressed support, but also concern.

Kylan Francis, director of transportation planning and development in Texas, said an earlier plan to build an overpass through the business districts of Texico and Farwell received only about 50% support.

That’s why officials went back to the drawing board.

The newest option would divert traffic to and from Lubbock around most of the Texico business district, with little impact on Farwell. Tireworks in Farwell would have to relocate to property it owns south of its current location. The overpass would be about 1.1 miles west of the state line.

Traffic to and from Amarillo would not be impacted, but the current railroad crossing at the state line would be closed.

“We wanted to make a design that would be less impactful to the residents. … We are trying to solve the problem without creating a safety concern,” Francis said.

The problem is that traffic across the state line is interrupted 70-plus times every day by trains mostly coming and going from Amarillo, to and from the Clovis yards.

Most waits are only a few minutes, but trains sometimes are backed up and travelers can wait 30 minutes or more for them to clear.

The initial plan would have had negative impacts on multiple businesses in Texico and Farwell, especially during the construction phase that could last up to four years.

Texico Mayor Deborah Autrey said the newest design is a plus because few local businesses will have to relocate.

But while she said she favors the latest design, she is concerned the city’s gross-receipts taxes will decline if the community’s convenience stores lose traffic to and from Lubbock.

“I like the new schematic because it’s not displacing any residents and businesses. My concern, as it was before, was the displacement and loss of GRT,” Autrey said.

Realtor Daren Sudderth said he was relieved when highway officials produced the new design.

Sudderth said he still worries how the construction process will affect local business. But once complete, he feels confident the Farwell-Texico economy will prosper.

“I like this (new plan) a whole lot better. To me it’s a lot more practical and it’s going to keep traffic flowing instead of having to wait hours on end for the trains to pass,” Sudderth said.

Transportation officials said:

• The proposed Texico Elevated Bridge would allow travelers to enter or exit inside the westbound and eastbound travel lanes of U.S. 60.

• The proposed elevated bridge would allow travelers to access the south side of Texico as well as provide direct access onto US 70/84 in Farwell.

• Serving as a relief route, the new roadway around Texico would be a four-lane undivided surface.

According to the new schematic there will be three existing railroad crossings removed: South Curry Road C., the New Mexico/ Texas state line, and South Garwood Street. South College Street would be expanded for easier access.

Public opinion about the proposed project will be accepted until May 24. Francis said once officials have gathered public input, findings will be made public.

Comments can be emailed to:

[email protected]

Officials have said the overpass construction will likely begin in 2030 and take three or four years.

The project is being funded by both states and the federal government.