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RMA updates 365 Tollway construction, approves change orders and testing-contract amendments
Summary
Staff reported progress on the 365 Tollway and associated projects; the board approved change orders and contract amendments including savings on a wetland mitigation contract, a remobilization payment to a contractor after an irrigation-district stop-work order, and reassignment of construction testing work to Terracon.
The Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority received construction updates for the 365 Tollway and approved a series of project contract actions, including a deductive change order on a wetland mitigation contract, additional funding for construction inspection and materials testing, and a $150,000 payment to the tollway general contractor for remobilization after an irrigation district issued a stop-work order.
Ramon Navarro, chief construction engineer for the RMA, told the board the Grama Henlo wetland mitigation project's completion schedule was revised but remains on track; staff recommended and the board approved Change Order No. 1 to reduce the contract by $187,915.96 after a consultant redesign found efficiencies. Navarro also reported the wetland contractor is about 42% complete and that the revised substantial-completion date is Feb. 18, 2025, with final completion March 20, 2025.
Staff presented multiple procurement and inspection items tied to the large construction program. The board approved: (1) an increase to the inspection contract with SWG Engineering to continue irrigation-district inspections, (2) a work authorization and contract amendment reassigning a balance of construction-materials testing work to Terracon Consultants in the amount of $2.2 million (raising Terracon's total to $4,325,031.68), and (3) Change Order No. 15 to Publix Construction Inc. in the amount of $150,000 to cover remobilization costs after the Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2 ordered a temporary stop-work at two irrigation-crossing sites.
Why it matters: The 365 Tollway and its associated drainage and irrigation crossings are central to the RMA's construction program. Delays at irrigation crossings and in verification testing have cascading schedule and cost impacts on the toll project. Board members and staff emphasized coordination with irrigation districts, TxDOT and other stakeholders to keep work moving.
Details and debate: Ramon Navarro described three concurrent construction efforts: the wetland mitigation site, toll integration for the 365 tolling system and the mainline construction. He said the wetland contractor experienced a short delay related to insurance and the notice-to-proceed but is expected to start the clay liner and planting mid next month. Navarro told the board the mitigation contractor previously raised address/payment issues that have been resolved.
Construction testing and materials verification were discussed at length. Staff said multiple testing firms are engaged because no single firm has the capacity for the project's scale; rates were locked in at contract execution. The board approved assigning the remaining materials-testing balance from a former vendor to Terracon and adding $2.2 million in work authorization to complete the outstanding testing scope. Staff said a separate verification/forensic testing plan still requires TxDOT and FHWA approval before final testing work is authorized.
On irrigation-district coordination, staff explained Publix Construction mobilized crews to perform irrigation-district work, but Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2 ordered work stopped at two sites, requiring contractor demobilization and later a remobilization window. The contractor submitted a claim for $75,000 per site for remobilization, and staff recommended approval because the contractor was not at fault; the board approved the $150,000 change order.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025-03 (MidRes deductive change order) approved; Resolution 2025-04 (SWG amendment) approved; Resolution 2025-05 (Terracon work authorization) approved; Resolution 2025-06 (Terracon contract amendment) approved; Resolution 2025-08 (Publix Construction change order 15 for remobilization) approved.
What happens next: Staff will continue coordination with irrigation districts and federal/state agencies on verification testing plans, pursue TxDOT and FHWA approvals where required, and return with any additional contract items or schedule updates.
