Council holds public hearing on Camino Real bridge realignment, proposed use of parkland draws concern

The City of Eagle Pass presented a public hearing Aug. 5 on a roadway realignment project near the Camino Real International Bridge that would require converting small areas of public parkland for roadway right‑of‑way and replacement park facilities.

Consultants and city staff told council the Camino Real International Bridge Realignment project, being coordinated with the Texas Department of Transportation, is intended to improve traffic flow and safety for commercial and passenger vehicles approaching the bridge. Project presenters said the realignment would require the permanent use of about 2.94 acres of Moncada Baseball Park, approximately 0.16 acre at the Eagle Pass Golf Course (parking/storage lot) and about 0.24 acre of the south lawn at the Eagle Pass Multi‑Purpose Center. The Parks and Recreation Department reviewed the project and “concurred that it represents a de minimis use that would not adversely affect the features, attributes, or activities that define these properties as parkland,” a consultant said.

Presenters said the city would develop a new sports field within the remaining portion of Moncada Baseball Park and that replacement property is required under Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) because the park was developed with LWCF funds in the 1970s. Fitzgibbons, environmental task lead for RRP Consulting Engineers, told council that the replacement property is under review by TxDOT, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and possibly the National Park Service, and that an appraiser is evaluating land at the city’s sports complex to determine appropriate replacement acreage and value.

Members of council and staff discussed outreach to the Moncada (Munkala) family and others with historic ties to the park. City staff said the project had been advertised as required for federal funding steps and that additional public hearings and coordination on LWCF replacement property review are possible. Council closed the public hearing at 6:24 p.m. and took no immediate action on the use of parkland; staff offered to meet with the Moncada family and return to council if desired.

Why it matters: The project aims to reduce congestion at a major border crossing but requires converting parkland used for recreation. Under federal LWCF rules, replacement property of equal fair market value must be provided when LWCF parkland is converted. The city’s consultants said it is possible to shift or replace the field and that costs and timing will be driven by appraisal and state/federal reviews.