Commissioners approve Blanco Road construction oversight contract, fleet replacements and mobile vehicle barriers

The commissioners approved several procurement and public‑works items March 11.

Public Works recommended and the court approved an engineering services agreement with Pape‑Dawson Consulting Engineers for construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for the Blanco Road Phase 3 project (Borgfeld Drive to the county line). Staff described the project as a federal‑aid reconstruction to convert about 2 miles of two‑lane roadway to a four‑lane roadway with center turn lane, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and drainage work. The CEI contract amount approved was $4,653,568; the construction contract had not yet been bid but staff estimated a construction value in the tens of millions and indicated the MPO would reimburse approximately 80% of eligible construction costs.

Fleet maintenance requested purchasing 10 heavy vehicles (dump and flatbed/dump trucks) from Holt Truck Centers of Texas through a Sourcewell cooperative contract and the court approved the combined purchase, which included trade‑in allowances, for $1,396,943.53. Public Works explained the vehicles support street maintenance and other county operations and that some units would be used in disaster response.

The Office of Emergency Management requested purchase of eight Meridian Archer mobile vehicle barriers and a drop‑deck trailer for $103,468.03. The office said the steel barriers (about 700 pounds each) are intended for events to protect crowds from vehicular attack and that the purchase was requested to support event security at county facilities and large public gatherings.

Ending — The court approved the three procurement items. Public Works and Emergency Management will proceed with project oversight, vehicle acquisition and barrier deployment, respectively. Staff will follow established contracting and procurement documentation procedures to record the awards.