-Dynamic Project Status Memorandum-
Hidalgo Loop and Hidalgo Trade
Corridor
“Hidalgo Loop” has reached a critical stage of the Project
Development Phase. The reason it is at a
critical stage is that the Hidalgo Toll Loop Project Development is reaching a
milestone meaning that certain phases will have reached a logical point for
stoppage due to shortage of funding to finance the entire loop.
This
financial shortage has mandated that HCRMA to concentrate its efforts on
constructing the “Hidalgo Trade Corridor”. This Corridor would allow connectivity from
several International Bridges to US 83 Expressway via tolled controlled access facility. Based on a Preliminary financial plan, it is
predicted that this Corridor will have a much better potential to be fully
financed than the original “Hidalgo
Loop”.
The
HCRMA has advertised, interviewed, selected, and negotiated an Executive Director
position with Mr. Godfrey Garza effective 11-12-2009. Mr. Garza will provide
the authority with administrative and managerial services, including project
development services. Mr. Garza will also provide the Authority with a monthly
report of activities and efforts made in furtherance of the project development.
Such report shall be provided at regularly scheduled public meetings of the
Board of Directors of the Authority.
The
intent of this website is to provide updates on the status of both “Hidalgo Loop” and “Hidalgo Trade Corridor”.
STATUS OF HIDALGO LOOP:
Over
20 successful Public Meetings were held on Sections A, B, C, D, E, &
F. Results of all Public Meetings
regarding comments received have been summarized and documented (see additional
details under the Environmental document Section). Resolutions have also been received from all
effected cities supporting the proposed alignments (attached).
Schematics
for Sections A, B, C, & D have been completed and submitted to TxDOT. Schematics for Sections E & F are being
reviewed and will be submitted to TxDOT by November 2009.
Even though the entire loop
cannot be financed for construction at this point in time & since (TPA) is
already identified and has gone through successful Public involvement, HCRB is
actively working with all cities, the county, and MPO in order to obtain
concurrence from the entities to protect the needed ROW of the Loop for (TPA)
from development (see
attached status of coordination).
Preservation of this corridor is essential for future development of the
project, by making the loop more financially feasible in future. Hidalgo Loop (TPA) will remain on the MPO
thoroughfare plan (see
attached map). Requests will also be
made for placement on County and City thoroughfare plans.
Hidalgo
County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has a 25 year
financially constraint list of projects referred to as MTP. HCMPO is currently working on the MTP Plan
Update, which will cover the next 25 years from 2010 to 2035 and is required to
be completed by December 2009. The MTP
is a comprehensive blueprint for transportation systems and services aimed at
meeting the mobility needs of the area. Since
the entire loop is not financially feasible as this point in time, a request
has been made by the HCRMA to the HCMPO to remove the entire loop from this
document. A new project referred to as
“Hidalgo Trade Corridor”, explained in detail later on this website, which is
financially feasible has be placed on the MTP in preliminary form and awaiting
approval.
Environmental
assessment document preparation were well underway for Section A and partially underway for Section C, however, a determination by Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) that these sections (A&C) need to go through
a much more detailed process of Environmental impact statement “EIS” brought a
“halt” to the entire process and no further activity is proposed on the Hidalgo
Loop at this time. The following
activities have been completed in incompliance with National Environmental
Policy ACT (NEPA) requirements. It is
important to note that most of the data collected will be used to complete the
NEPA requirements of the “Hidalgo Trade Corridor” discussed later in further
details.
MPO Coordination/Need and Purpose
·
Need and Purpose
defined and reviewed with MPO.
·
Coordinated with
MPO regarding project status in MTP.
·
Need and Purpose
Chapter prepared for Sections A, B, C, and D.
Constraints
Mapping/Analysis Matrix/Preliminary Alternatives Development Report
·
Constraints
mapping and analyses prepared for four series of public meetings (May 2008,
August 2008, February 2009, and June 2009).
·
Preliminary
Alternatives Development Report drafted for all sections.
·
Alternatives
chapter prepared for Sections A and C.
Draft
Environmental Classification Letters
·
Submitted
Sections A and C Environmental Classification letters in January 2009.
·
Environmental
Classification letters drafted for Sections B and D but not submitted.
Public
Meeting Summary Reports
·
Prepared and
submitted for May and August 2008 public meetings (Sections A, B, C, and D).
·
Reports for
February and June 2009 being finalized (Sections B, D, E, and F).
Environmental
Document Preparation
·
Conducted field
surveys for all parcels for which right of entry was granted for Sections A and
C.
·
Preliminary Draft
EA prepared for Section A.
·
Wetlands Report
and Historic Resources reports drafted for Section A.
On
December 16, 2008, Hidalgo County Commissioner Court authorized the
establishment of TRZ #1 through issuance of an order (see attached). The order indicated:
“The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court
will take action in the future to establish an economic development fund and
facilitate the collection and use of a designated portion of the abated taxes
for the benefit of the Hidalgo Loop Project.” It also indicated:
“The portion of the tax increment on
property within the zone that will be abated and dedicated for use directly for
the Hidalgo Loop Project, and the means to collect those amounts for such use,
will be established through action by the Commissioners Court and interlocal
agreement with HCRMA.”
(An interlocal agreement between Hidalgo County and HCRMA
needs to be executed to clarify items 1 & 2)
1.
The distribution
of taxes collected will be 50% Hidalgo County & 50% HCRMA.
2.
Establish a
procedure to facilitate the collection and use of a designated portion of the
abated taxes.
3.
Current TRZ
Boundaries (TRZ #1) as approved by the county needs to be revised. If revision to the Boundary is not allowed by
law, then a new TRZ needs to be created.
The reason for this revision is that through Public
involvement, changes were made to alignment “D” in the vicinity of US 83
Expressway and US 281 Expressway connections that are not shown in the current TRZ Map.
4.
A new TRZ needs
to be created for alignments E and F.
1.
An Interlocal Agreement
has been prepared between HCRMA and Hidalgo County to formalize the 50-50
distribution of collected taxes. This
agreement was approved by the HCRMA Board as well as to Hidalgo County
Commission Court.
2.
Action on the
procedure to facilitate the collection of abated taxed is being delayed. The reason for the delay is the following:
SB1266, relating
to pass-through financing and the designation and operation of Transportation
reinvestment zones, section 3(i) indicate the following:
“To assist the county in developing a project
authorized under section 222.104
(Pass-through), if authorized by the commission (TxDOT Commission) under
Chapter 441, a road utility district may
be formed under that chapter that has the same boundaries as a transportation
reinvestment zone created under this section.”
Transportation code, Chapter 441.030 states:
Confirmation
Election
a) Not later than the 15th day after the
date that all temporary directors (of the road utility district) shall meet and
order an election in the boundaries of the proposed district to confirm the
creation of the district and elect the directors of the district.
Transportation code Chapter 441.035
states:
Including Bond Proposition at Election
a)
At the election,
the temporary directors may include a separate ballot proposition to approve
the issuance by the district of bonds payable from ad valorem taxes.
TxDOT
Opinion regarding the creation of a ROAD UTILITY DISTRICT:
TxDOT
through a memorandum titled Transportation
Reinvestment Zones dated March 18, 2008 indicated as following:
Question:
Does the creation of a Road Utility District require an election?
Answer: Yes, Texas Transportation Code
441.030 and 441.035 require a confirmation election and bond election if the
Road Utility District will be issuing bonds payable from ad valorem taxes.
Due
to these current requirements of having to create road utility district and
elections requirements and the possibility of another bill during the next
legislative session to eliminate these requirements, the action is being
delayed.
3.
None are proposed
at this time.
4.
None are proposed
at this time.
-
C&M
Consulting firm to date has performed 3 Level II T&R studies on the Hidalgo
Loop to determine the toll feasibility and projected revenue for the loop. The summary results of T&R for the
following sections are attached to this report.
1.
Section A&B
2.
Section A only
3.
Section
B & Section A (only to Anzalduas Crossing)
-
The original
“Preliminary Project Development Agreement” (PPDA) executed between HCRB and
the HCRMA required that HCRB to provide a “guaranteed max price” (GMP) for
project delivery as well as a “Risk Based Financial Plan” (RBFP).
-
HCRB did submit a
Preliminary GMP, However, due to downturn of global economy and its effects on
financial markets was not able to provide a RBFP for any portion of the loop.
-
PPDA has now been
amended to require that HCRB will only provide a GMP for the limits of “Hidalgo
Trade Corridor” and the Proposed Financing of that GMP will be provided by 1st
Southwest group who act in the capacity of financial advisors to the
HCRMA. Please see further details under
the Hidalgo Trade Corridor Section.
On May 12, 2009, HCRMA formally submitted a
pass-through finance application to TxDOT for Section “A” and Section “B” of
the Hidalgo Loop (see
attached letter). HCRMA elected to
use revenue from 3 local sources to combine with $377,802,000 of pass through
payments requested from TxDOT to fund Sections “A” and Section “B”. These local sources include toll revenue, tax
increment revenue from Hidalgo County Transportation Reinvestment Zone (TRZ)
No. 1 and revenue from a surcharge on vehicle registration fee in the
county. TxDOT Commission did not
authorize any negotiations to begin on this application.
As was mentioned before, due to available financial
resources, HCRMA is now pursuing development of this new project, which allows
connectivity from several international bridges to US 83 Expressway. Hidalgo Trade Corridor consists of 2 completely separate projects.
1.
The connection of
“Connector Corridor” to FM 1016 needs to be revised from the original
schematic. L&G Engineering
Consultants will investigate the advantages and disadvantages of an at grade crossing at FM 1016 vs. an Overpass at FM 1016.
2.
The connection of
“International Bridge Trade Corridor” from FM 3072 to SP600 needs to be added
to the original “B” Schematic. The
reason for this change is that limits of this corridor under
the Hidalgo Loop project has been changed.
3.
L&G
Engineering Consultants will investigate the advantages and disadvantages of
providing a director connector to US 83 Expressway vs. an Overpass (Trade
Corridor over US 83 Expressway).
1.
L&G Engineering
has successfully completed this task and turned in the work product to both
TxDOT and the HCRMA.
2.
L&G Engineering
has successfully completed this task and turned in the work product to both
TxDOT and the HCRMA.
3.
This task has
been vetted with the HCRMA Planning Committee and the decision to construct an
Overpass at US83 in lieu of a Direct Connector. This exhibit has been provided
to both TxDOT and HCRMA.
Hidalgo
County Metropolitan Planning organization (MPO) has a 25 year financially
constraint list of Projects referred to as MTP.
Since the Hidalgo Trade Corridor is financially constrained, a request
has been made by HCRMA to place it on the MTP (see
attached request along with Financial Plan). At this point, the MTP is
still not finalized until it is adopted by the MPO Policy Board but as
identified on this Map, the
HTC has been placed on it.
This
corridor connects both Pharr International Bridge as well as Donna
International Bridge to US 83 Expressway Corridor. This corridor will be locally funded (No
Federal, No State Dollars) and HCRMA plans to comply with the Environmental
rules adopted by the HCRMA (see attached)
which will not require TxDOT or FHWA approval.
“TIGER” grant funds (Federal Stimulus Funds) have been requested for the
connection of this locally Funded Project to US 83 Expressway by means of a
proposed direct connector (see attached
letter of support from TxDOT). If
the “TIGER” Grant Funds are awarded, then HCRMA Plans to follow provisions
provided in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) to perform an Environmental
Assessment Document for this connection.
This will require approval of TxDOT and possibly FHWA.
This
corridor will connect the International Bridge Trade Corridor to the existing
FM 1016 facility. Construction of this
corridor will allow connectivity of 2
additional International Bridges namely Anzalduas International Bridge as well
as Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge to US 83 Expressway. This corridor will utilize local funds as
well as Federal and State Funds. Preliminary
discussions with FHWA have indicated that since this corridor will only connect
an existing facility (FM 1016) to an existing locally Funded Project (International
Bridge Trade Corridor), it can be developed by an Environmental Assessment (EA)
Process, rather than an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
“TIGER”
Grant funds (Federal Stimulus Funds) has been requested for a bridge connector
over the Anzalduas International Bridge. (see attached letter of support from TxDOT) If the TIGER
grant funds are awarded, provisions provided in the TAC will not be required,
since the project will already be following the “EA” process.
1.
Negotiate a fee
schedule with PBS&J to complete an EA on Hidalgo Trade Corridor Projects.
2.
Submit a
classification letter to FHWA to formalize their decision on an EA document for
the connector corridor.
3.
Submit a
classification letter to TxDOT (and possibly to FHWA) to formalize this
decision on an EA document for the International Bridge Trade Corridor
following TAC provision if TIGER grant funds are awarded.
1.
PBS&J fee to
complete the EA for Both Projects were approved by the HCRMA on 9-16-09. PBS&J will be a sub-contractor to Blakely
Fernandez (HCRMA Attorney).
2.
EA document
preparation is complete on the “International Bridge Trade Corridor” and is
anticipated to be delivered to the HCRMA Board meeting in February, and a
classification letter to FHWA on the connector project will follow at a later
date.
3.
No action is
required unless “TIGER” grant funds are awarded.
1.
C&M
Consulting firm to perform a level II T&R studies on this corridor and
include the impact of Mexican trucks on T&R.
1.
C&M is
currently performing this task as a subcontract to 1st Southwest
Group. (See
attached scope)
As
was mentioned before, HCRB will only provide a GMP for this corridor and the
Proposed financing of that GMP will be provided by the First Southwest Group,
who act in the capacity of financial advisors to the HCRMA. GMP, which was
submitted by the HCRB and subject to
negotiations and final approval by the HCRMA, will provide a “fixed financial
target” that will be required to complete this
corridor. Completion of this corridor
will include preparation of construction plans, acquisition of the needed Right
of Way, adjustment of Utilities, Environmental Mitigation, Advertising and
Award of Construction Contract, Construction Inspection and Material Testing,
as well as change orders during construction.
HCRMA, through its consultant PBS&J will provide the environmental
clearance for the project.
1.
HCRB to submit
the “GMP” by October 16, 2009
2.
HCRMA to
negotiate the terms of the “GMP” with HCRB
3.
After
negotiations are complete, First South West (FSW) needs to determine how the
“GMP” can be financed
4.
If the “GMP” can
be financed, execute a final “Project Development Agreement” (PDA) with HCRB
1.
HCRB submitted
the GMP on October 16, 2009
2.
At the 11-17-09 HCRMA
Board Meeting, action was taken to approve the hiring of 2 “Engineering
Consultant” firms (S&B Infrastructure, LTD. and Raba-Kistner
Infrastructure) to position itself for negotiations of the “GMP” terms
3.
FSW has received
from C&M a revised T&R that included revenue generated from Mexican
Truck Traffic. (revised T&R due 12-10-09) C&M has been authorized to do
an “Investment Grade Study” to further along the financing package.
4.
No action taken
at this time
ATTACHMENTS
Appendix A - Hidalgo Loop Map
Appendix B - Hidalgo Trade Corridor Map
Appendix C - Hidalgo Loop Resolutions of Support From all
Entities
Appendix D - Status of Coordination for Preservation of
Right of Way For Hidalgo Loop
Appendix E – Status of Hidalgo Loop and Hidalgo Trade
Corridor on MTP
Appendix F - HCMPO Thoroughfare Plan Map
Appendix G - Transportation Reinvestment Zone #1 Resolution
by HCCC & Interlocal Agreement with HCRMA
Appendix H - Transportation Reinvestment Zone #1 Map
Appendix I - TxDOT Opinion Regarding TRZ Requirements
Appendix J – C&M Level II T&R Summary Results and
Revised Scope of Services for FSW
Appendix K - Hidalgo Loop Pass Through
Application Letter
Appendix L - Request from HCMPO to Place “Hidalgo Trade
Corridor” on MTP
Appendix M - TxDOT Letter of Support and “TIGER” Grant
Application for International Bridge Trade Corridor
Appendix N - TxDOT Letter of Support and “TIGER”Grant
Application for the “Connector Corridor”
Appendix O
– Executive Director Contract (Mr. Godfrey Garza)
Appendix P
– RMA Adopted Environmental Rules
