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Commission approves larger 2026 street-repair list, adds Bob Euchre and portion of Commerce; asks staff to study Morris and Roosevelt
Summary
The City Commission approved the fiscal 2026 Streets Improvement Program, expanding the in-house paving plan to about 10.3 miles and adding Bob Euchre Road and the southbound lane of Commerce Street (Fair Park to Wilson). Commissioners also directed staff to begin planning for major future upgrades to Morris Road and Roosevelt Road.
The Harlingen City Commission approved the proposed 2026 Streets Improvement Program (SIP) and amended the list to add Bob Euchre Road and a southbound segment of Commerce Street between Fair Park and Wilson Road. Commissioners also directed staff to begin exploring options for a larger upgrade of Morris Road and Roosevelt Road and to engage the county and regional grant partners on long-range funding.
Why it matters: The city is carrying out more in-house paving than in prior years, which officials said lets Harlingen repave more mileage for the available budget. Commission members said adding the two streets would address frequent complaints from residents and visitors about rough travel surfaces while staff pursues regional funding for larger thoroughfare projects.
What staff presented. Robert Hernandez, city engineer, said the list of streets proposed for 2026 was selected using a 2022 pavement assessment that scores remaining service life and by considering citizen requests received by public works and engineering. Hernandez told the commission the city did 7.3 miles of in-house paving in the prior cycle and planned about 10.3 miles for 2026; construction will be done by city public works crews with engineering inspection and testing. He said design will occur after commission approval and that the city will bid materials and perform construction in-house.
Commission discussion and amendments. Commissioners proposed and approved adding Bob Euchre Road and a one-year segment of Commerce Street (southbound from Wilson to Fair Park) to the SIP. Several commissioners asked staff to begin assembling a plan for potential major reconstruction of Morris Road (to a multi-lane roadway with center turn lane and ditches), and to coordinate with Cameron County and the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (RGB MPO) for possible funding. Staff said certain large thoroughfare projects may be better funded through regional grants and MPO programs rather than city operating funds alone.
Formal outcome. The amended 2026 SIP list passed by voice vote with the additions and instruction to staff to start planning larger improvements for Morris Road and Roosevelt Road and to pursue RGB MPO and other funding sources where appropriate.
Key numbers and details. Hernandez said the city will follow the 2022 street assessment; the program anticipated milling/overlay or reconstruction plus curb-and-gutter repairs. The 2025 in-house cycle repaved 7.3 miles; the 2026 plan targets approximately 10.3 miles. Commissioners asked staff to evaluate specific additions and to prepare designs and bids before construction.
Next steps. Staff will finalize design documents, advertise for materials and, subject to budget and bids, construct the approved segments in the 2026 cycle. The commission asked staff to initiate county discussions about annexation/transfer of road responsibility where relevant, and to bring back findings on Morris and Roosevelt corridor planning and potential grant applications.
