Texas Border Business
As the City of McAllen looks to enhance mobility for the safe, efficient and orderly movement of people and goods throughout the city, it has selected Marlen Garza to lead the newly created Traffic Department. Garza most recently served as the Assistant Director for Traffic Operations in the Engineering Department, where she led key projects related to roadway and traffic improvement projects.
“The creation of the Traffic Department reflects McAllen’s commitment to enhancing mobility, safety, and efficiency across our growing city. By centralizing traffic management and transportation planning under one dedicated department, we aim to provide a seamless and innovative approach to addressing the challenges of urban mobility,” said McAllen City Manager Isaac J. Tawil. “Marlen’s extensive experience in traffic operations and her proven leadership in delivering impactful roadway and traffic improvement projects make her the ideal choice to lead this new department. Her vision and expertise will ensure McAllen continues to prioritize safe and efficient transportation for all who live, work, and travel here.”
Garza, an employee of the City of McAllen for the past 13 years, most recently spearheaded the development the City of McAllen’s Vision Zero plan, which is aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, equitable, and healthy mobility for all roadway users. Additionally, she led the completion of the City of McAllen 2018 Traffic Bond Improvement Projects, which included a Traffic Signal Timing Study, that saw a retiming and connectivity of 155 signals for five major east/west and six major north/south corridors. Garza was instrumental in the grant submittal to the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Jackson St. Hike & Bike Trail Expansion Project which will enhance regional connectivity of the trails between McAllen, Edinburg and the PSJA hike and bike trails. She is currently leading the Streetlights by District Improvement Project, analyzing all districts to add additional lighting to get older residential neighborhoods into compliance with new development standards.
Her duties will include developing and implementing long-term transportation plans to accommodate population growth and development, embracing innovative smart city technologies.
“I am deeply honored to lead the newly established Traffic Department for the City of McAllen and grateful for the trust placed in me to take on this important role. Over the past 13 years, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact that thoughtful traffic operations and mobility planning can have on our community,” said Garza.
“This new department represents a significant step forward in our commitment to enhancing safety, efficiency, and innovation in transportation for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. I look forward to collaborating with our talented team and stakeholders to implement forward-thinking solutions that improve the quality of life for everyone in McAllen,” she concluded.
Garza, a Rio Grande Valley native, attended Texas A&M University where she received her Civil Engineering degree from the Dwight Look College of Engineering. In addition, she has
served on several state and local boards, including for the Texas Floodplain Management Association, Association of Civil Engineers-Rio Grande Valley and the Texas Public Works Association.
Garza is married and is a proud parent of three children.
