BROWNSVILLE -- As Cameron County grows in population each year, more cars will continue to be driven on area's roadways, prompting officials from the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) to begin plans for the construction of a toll road.
"It’s a project we’ve been working on in the past five years,” said David Garcia, assistant coordinator with the CCRMA, referring to the West Parkway Project.
Under the current plan, the project would consist of an eight mile toll road that would stretch from Expressway 77, just south of Olmito, to the border with Mexico at the B&M Bridge.
The proposed toll road would follow the existing Union Pacific Railroad, which will be relocating farther west towards another bridge.
The CCRMA believes this toll project will accelerate transportation and improve in projects for the next 20-30 years.
They also said the project could directly and indirectly create nearly 5000 jobs. And they estimate it could be ready as soon as 2013.
But there are skeptics, among them Brownsville City Commissioner Edward Camarillo.
"I don’t think toll is the way to go," he said, adding that he feels the current project is not needed in the Brownsville area. He also said there are other alternatives to a toll road.
"Consider a light rail system, it’s for the future and something that is green," he said.
The CCRMA said that option could be costly, but they don’t rule out any possibilities. They also say they hope to find a solution to fit the needs of a fast growing area.
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