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Texarkana leaders cite contractor delays and propose bond options as pothole complaints mount
Summary
Residents pressed the board about deep potholes, drainage and property damage; staff said the city's pothole contractor faced equipment/insurance delays, outlined a $30,000 immediate plan, and presented street‑study findings and voter‑approved bond scenarios to address long‑term needs.
Residents at the meeting described recurring, severe potholes and drainage problems in multiple neighborhoods, including reports of vehicle damage and flooding that has made yards and streets impassable after storms.
Cecil Cox told the board the road at 13th Street and Couch was riddled with potholes and urged permanent repair: "My suggestion is that it should be jackhammer, have rebar replaced there with quick, quick dry concrete," he said during public comment. Other residents described deep potholes on Preston, Pinehurst and near Jones Funeral Home and asked the city to clear ditches that channel storm water.
City staff told the board the city's pothole contractor had missed scheduled work after a vehicle accident at an emulsion plant and that insurers were resolving issues; staff said the contractor expects to return on Friday, the 27th, and to work through the weekend to catch up. In the near term the city will allocate $30,000 to supplement crew efforts and will evaluate additional funding in increments if needed.
Staff also summarized results from a street‑condition study. The presentation to the board will include estimates for maintaining the current pavement condition (approximately $5.6 million annually) and modeling for what $10 million or $30 million in bond funding would accomplish. Staff estimated that paving every road to a minimal surface could cost on the order of $100 million to $200 million depending on depth of work and base repairs.
Officials cautioned that drainage fixes must accompany resurfacing. "You need to go fix Jones Creek. You need to dredge Nicks Creek," the mayor said when discussing priorities, adding that the public will need education about where bond money would go and how much maintenance costs after construction.
Board members discussed the political tradeoffs of a citywide bond versus ward‑level allocations; Director Harris urged splitting bond proceeds evenly by ward to ensure equity for historically underserved neighborhoods. Staff said any bond would require voter approval and recommended a substantial public information campaign before placing measures on the ballot.
Next steps: staff will complete the street‑study deliverables, schedule a workshop/presentation for the board, and return with concrete bond scenarios and a public‑education plan.
