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City to pursue Mescalero Drive extension after CBP-backed access option estimated at $200,000
Summary
Engineers told the committee the U.S. Customs–preferred driveway option to the World Trade Bridge import lot would likely cost about $200,000 because of drainage relocation; council and management directed staff to advance the Mescalero Drive extension and right-of-way acquisition, while members questioned the expense and traffic impacts.
At a meeting, Arturo, a meeting participant, reported that engineering had evaluated an access option for the World Trade Bridge import lot preferred by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and estimated the probable construction cost at approximately $200,000. "The probable construction cost is estimated to be approximately 200,000," Arturo said.
The engineering review found the preferred option would require drainage relocation, which accounted for the higher cost compared with an earlier Riverbank option that had been estimated at about $92,000. Arturo said city council and management have directed staff to move forward with the Mescalero Drive extension project and associated right-of-way acquisition to convert the existing access road into a public right of way. Engineering will continue the design analysis and provide recommendations when additional information is available.
Members and participants pressed for clarity about the driveway's purpose. A Questioner asked whether the new roadway was intended for parking; Arturo and others clarified it is a driving access intended to give a more direct route to customs and the import lot, not a parking area. One attendee said the price "seems like a little too much money to spend just to drive around," while a staff member countered that the $200,000 option could significantly reduce congestion and save inspector and truck time at peak periods.
Funding for the work was identified as coming from bridge fund money; Arturo said staff are prioritizing invoices and expenses for bridge work, and that some items could be stalled while that prioritization is in effect. Engineering emphasized it will evaluate the proposed connections and report back with any recommendations.
The meeting did not record a formal vote on a construction contract at this session; the recorded action was a direction from council/management to proceed with the Mescalero Drive extension and right-of-way process. The committee set no implementation schedule beyond the promise of further engineering updates.
The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 6 p.m.
