CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — City crews are scheduled to start road construction Monday on Morgan Avenue as part of the 2012 and 2014 bond projects.
This means motorists will now be dealing with even more delays and one area fire station may be impacted.
On Monday, traffic will become one way traveling from the Crosstown Expressway to Ocean Drive.
“We are looking forward to this construction that is going to take place on Morgan. We recognize the long-term benefits are going to outweigh the short-term difficulties we are going to face,” said Corpus Christi Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim DeVisser.
Firefighters at Station Number 3 are concerned about how the construction on Morgan road will affect their response time.
“Morgan is going to be shut down to one lane, and traveling in only one direction will obviously present some difficulties in response if you are going against traffic, but we are working with the construction company to finalize a traffic control plan to try and reduce those difficulties, and the delays that occur with just about any type of road construction project like that,” said DeVisser.
Over the years, when it comes to traveling on Morgan, the degree of difficulty for the busiest fire station in the city has been turned up..
“Morgan is one of the main arteries traveling to the trauma hospital in the city, one of two hospitals now in the city. And if you suffered any type of traumatic event: a vehicle accident, shooting, stabbing; if you had a heart attack, and you are forced to go down a road that is in the condition that Morgan is in right now, it is a difficult transport,” said DeVisser.
There is a bright side to this road construction for Fire Station Number 3, it’s going to improve response times, improve patient care, and reduce wear and tear on their vehicles.
These Bond projects include reconstruction of the four-lane roadway with asphalt pavement, new curb and gutter, sidewalks, ADA ramps, signage, and pavement markings and are expected to be completed in the summer of 2021.
Utility improvements will include new underground storm water, wastewater, water, and gas lines.
The total project value is estimated at $11,462,907.
