In 1994, the City of Laredo received a Presidential Permit for the construction of a $59.3 million international bridge creating 3,600 new jobs. This new eight lane , state-of-the-art structure will be located in the area of Milo Interchange at a point between International Bridge I and the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge. The project will include a Laredo-managed toll plaza and export lot, federal inspection offices and processing facilities and highway facilities managed by the State of Texas.
The construction of this new bridge will increase traffic between Laredo and Nuevo Laredo and will serve as a catalyst for commercial, industrial and residential development. Moreover, commercial truck traffic on International Bridge I and II will be eliminated with the construction of the Laredo Northwest International Bridge. This will improve traffic safety as well as help promote tourism and retail sales within the downtown area.
Major construction plans are underway for the erectment of a new airport passenger terminal. The City has invested $1.6 million in the preparation of architectural and engineering plans and specifications for the new passenger terminal and related improvements. This new airport passenger terminal will be a two-level structure consisting of approximately 78,000 square feet.
The new terminal will have four passenger loading bridges to serve jet aircraft, includes a federal inspection service facility capable of processing 350 international arriving passengers per hour, space for six airlines, space for five car rental agencies, a baggage claim area with modern baggage handling equipment, restaurant, concessions and administrative offices. The second concourse will service 600 passengers per hour.
Vehicular access to the passenger terminal will be from the newly constructed Bob Bullock inner loop road. The terminal will be conveniently accessed from all of Laredo's highways, from Laredo's fourth international bridge, from the new
Texas A&M International University campus, Lake Casa Blanca State Park and the Webb County Golf Course. Construction time is 20 months and the completion date projected is set for early 1997. The total estimated cost for this project is approximately $23 million.
Construction is underway for a new police station. The station is located on a 6 acre block north of the existing police station and southwest of the airport terminal building. The building will have 60,000 square feet with "state-of-the-art" surveillance and security equipment, featuring strict, low, medium and high security sections.
El Metro currently has two major capitol improvement projects underway: the Downtown Transit Center and the El Metro Expansion Project. The construction phase for the Transit Center began in May of 1995 and the entire project is estimated to be completed by January of 1997. The total project cost is estimated to be $12.6 million.
The El Metro Expansion Project is complete and will open in early 1996. This facility will house the City's first compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station. This station will service El Metro's existing CNG vehicles and the 13 new CNG transit coaches. The total estimated cost of this project is $8.4 million, which includes a total of $4.9 million for El Metro Expansion Project and $3.6 million for the 13 new CNG transit coaches.
A new library will be located at the intersection of McPherson & Calton Road. The construction cost is estimated at $6.8 million dollars without including the cost of land and furnishing. The new library will house the Laredo Historical Collection and will have several community meeting rooms. Construction is set to begin in the latter part of 1995 and is scheduled to be completed within 12 to 14 months.
The City of Laredo finalized plans to construct four recreational centers to be located in each cardinal direction of the city. Each recreation center will have 7,350 square feet and will house an exercise room, a meeting room, a multi-purpose room, a kitchen and a reception area. Total construction cost for these centers is $2.8 million dollars. The construction will take approximately 18 months to complete.
The City of Laredo recently received two $1 million dollar grants from the Texas Department of Wildlife for the construction of two recreational parks. The parks will be able to offer the Laredo community with tennis courts, a swimming pool, basketball courts, an amphitheater, picnic areas, playground modules, a football and a baseball field. The Cigarroa Recreational Complex will be completed in early 1996 and the Deerfield Park will be completed in early 1997.
The construction of three new fire stations and a fire training facility are projects that will address the safety needs of the growing community. Fire station #10 will be located on the Bob Bullock Boulevard & Casa Verde Rd., fire station #11 at Highway 359 & Larga Vista Road and fire station #12 at the north extension of McPherson & Loop 20. Construction cost for the three fire stations total $2.8 million dollars and $5.25 million dollars for the training facility. The projectsą designs will be developed and approved by the end of this year.
Mercy Regional Medical Center (Laredo) is realizing the dream of a quality-driven, community-based health care delivery system through its plans to create a new, multi-million dollar state-of-the-art Mercy Health Center. Located on 50 acres purchased from the City of Laredo in late 1994, the health center and its respective programs will provide a central point of access to a variety of optional medical, hospital and outpatient services to all residents of the community. Mercy Health Center and its initial related campus facilities are projected for completion within 3 to 4 years.
Mercy Ambulatory Care Center-North
The Mercy Regional Medical Center will be expanding its services when construction is finished for the new Ambulatory Care Center. Services include comprehensive ambulatory (one-day) surgical services, diagnostic services, outpatient physical therapy and physician medical offices. The Center is scheduled to open in the Spring of 1996.
Columbia Hospital Corporation
Doctors Hospital of Laredo was recently bought by Columbia Hospital Corporation in April of 1995 and has expanded its medical services to the community at a reduced cost. The hospital is serviced by 126 physicians, inpatient and outpatient surgical services, a medical and intensive care unit and is licensed to serve with 107 beds. The nursery facilities have been expanded to accommodate the expected growth in obstetrics volumes.
A new four year university has impacted Laredo's outlook on higher education. Construction has been completed for Phase One of the new
Texas A&M International University located at 5201 University Drive in north Laredo. The newly expanded curriculum will enhance educational opportunities for the growing needs of Laredo and Nuevo Laredo. Moreover, the availability of quality higher education will increase the cities' ability to offer a more skilled work force for attracting new business. TAMIU opened its doors to the community in September of 1995.
