By CINDY STURLIN
The S. Garcia Street Swing Bridge, owned and operated by the Long Island Owners’ Association (LIOA), is a local, non-profit HOA. LIOA continues its’ efforts to resolve their serious concern that they cannot continue to pay for bridge operations and maintenance in view of the deteriorating condition of the bridge, increasing commercial traffic, accompanied by increasing number of collisions with the bridge and fender structures. The fear is that a structural failure, serious collision, or natural disaster could cause the bridge to be closed for an indeterminate time.
Recently, the LIOA wrote to TXDOT Commissioner, Alejandro Meade, requesting that TXDOT add a study of the appropriateness of TXDOT assumption of bridge ownership and operation in the 2023 and/or the 2024 TXDOT Unified Transportation Plan.
Responding for TXDOT, TXDOT Bridge Division Director, Graham Bettis, stated that “We are in receipt of your letters regarding the current condition of the Long Island Owners’ Association (LIOA) swing bridge, with a request for assistance in finding alternative sources of funding for maintenance and operation. Because the swing bridge is privately owned and the LIOA is a non-governmental entity, it is not eligible for federal bridge program grants, any other US Department of Transportation grants, or any of the state-funded programs within TxDOT’s Unified Transportation Program.”
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