Commissioners authorize mill-and-fill road repairs, South Loop connectivity study and Plains Pipeline agreements

The Midland County Commissioners Court on Oct. 21 authorized several road and infrastructure items: a mill‑and‑fill rehabilitation for previously chip‑sealed roads that have failed in sections, a connectivity route study with Kimley‑Horn for the proposed South Loop connection with neighboring jurisdictions, and agreements with Plains Pipeline to sleeve a 20‑inch gas pipeline and allow county construction above the line once the sleeve is installed.

Speaker 8 explained that an earlier double‑layer chip seal program left about 12 miles that subsequently failed; the recommended remedy is to mill out the failed material and resurface. The court authorized WTC to proceed with a FY2026 mill‑and‑fill project (motion by Speaker 9; seconded; passed).

For the South Loop connectivity gap through southwest Midland County (roughly 12 miles), the court authorized a contract with Kimley‑Horn to evaluate the best route and identify alignments to connect to work done by neighboring jurisdictions.

Regarding Plains Pipeline, Speaker 15 described an estimated cost (discussed in the record as an estimate that may be reduced upon invoicing) to sleeve the pipeline where County Road 1250 crosses; the court approved a reimbursement agreement that will pay Plains Pipeline based on actual invoices, and separately accepted an encroachment agreement allowing county construction over the pipeline after the sleeve is installed. Court members clarified that final payments will be based on invoices rather than the initial estimate.

The motions passed without recorded opposition. County staff said invoices and engineering details will determine final costs and schedule.