Longview awards $7.597 million contract for Bridal Road widening; council approves four rezonings

The Longview City Council voted to award a $7,597,000 construction contract to East Texas Bridge of Longview for the Bridal Road widening project and approved four separate rezoning requests during its March meeting.

The Bridal Road contract, funded through the city’s 2018 bond election, covers conversion of a two-lane asphalt roadway to a four-lane concrete street, substantial drainage work and a 10-foot sidewalk. Kevin Chumley, city engineer, told the council the city previously relocated about 4,000 feet of water and sewer lines and negotiated right-of-way with roughly 47 property owners ahead of construction.

The award matters because it is one of two remaining street projects from the bond package and represents a major capital expenditure tied to the city’s infrastructure plan. Chumley said the low bid of $7,597,000 is within the revised budget presented at the council’s January retreat.

Council members asked about cost changes and schedule. Councilwoman Moore pressed how the construction estimate had moved from an earlier budgeted figure to the bid amount; staff explained previous higher totals included other costs such as engineering, right-of-way purchases and utility work that were paid from funds not eligible for bond funding. Chumley said construction is expected to begin in summer 2025 and that the contract has a roughly 13–14 month timeline. “We’re looking at starting probably in the summer of this year. So, the project has a timeline about 13 to 14 months,” Chumley said.

Chumley warned of traffic impacts during construction, saying the city anticipates lane closures and temporary one-way operations at times and will coordinate with the contractor to reduce disruptions.

In addition to the road contract, City Planner Angela Choi presented and the council approved four zoning changes. The approvals included: - Rezone of 1600 Alpine Road from Single Family 4 to Townhome to allow proposed townhome development; staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval and noted Alpine Road is a TxDOT-classified minor arterial. - Rezone of 529 Harley Ridge Road from Agricultural to Single Family 4 to allow subdivision and an additional single-family dwelling; staff found the change consistent with the future land use map. - Rezone of property south of Greystone Road along Bill Stout Parkway from Agricultural to Single Family 4 for a proposed single-family subdivision. - Rezone of 1000 Piggy’s Place from Office to Neighborhood Services to bring an existing spa and salon into compliance with local zoning.

All four rezonings were presented by Choi as consistent with surrounding uses and with Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations; motions to approve passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Award contract to East Texas Bridge for Bridal Road widening — Motion approved by voice vote; contractor low bid $7,597,000; funding: 2018 bond election; outcome: approved. - Zoning: 1600 Alpine Road — Approved (rezone SF-4 to townhome). - Zoning: 529 Harley Ridge Road — Approved (agricultural to SF-4). - Zoning: Bill Stout Parkway parcel — Approved (agricultural to SF-4). - Zoning: 1000 Piggy’s Place — Approved (office to neighborhood services). - Consent agenda — Approved by voice vote. - Approval of Mayor Shehara’s absence — Approved by voice vote.

Council members did not record roll-call tallies in the meeting transcript; votes were taken by voice and motions were seconded and approved. Staff said the Bridal Road award is within the revised retreat budget but noted the overall bond package still requires monitoring because of cost increases across several propositions.

The council adjourned after a brief set of community announcements and upcoming event reminders.