New courthouse to serve County’s one million residents, approximately
Texas Border Business
As originally published in Texas Border Business newsprint edition September 2018
With the start of construction on the new Hidalgo County Courthouse, parking lot changes were implemented, and signs are up informing drivers that the courthouse square will soon be closed to through traffic.
For the second week, a road sign located on Closner and Cano has advised the general public that a portion of Closner in front of the courthouse will be permanently closed starting next week, said Chief Executive Officer Valde Guerra.
“Constituents and employees have been given ample time to prepare for the upcoming street closure and have been advised on the county’s shuttle system,” said Guerra. “The shuttle was full on Friday and seemed to be working fluidly.”
A free shuttle service is now running through designated streets along the perimeter of the courthouse square, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., stopping at high volume locations along the route. The shuttle will be available for passengers through completion of the project.
Guerra also reported that barriers have been placed around the courthouse square as well as at the exit and entrance points designated for the shuttle.
The county will continue to monitor the new shuttle system and will adjust accordingly to issues if they may arise.
Constructed in 1954 with five courts and serving a small, rural community of under 170,000 residents. The new courthouse will have 24 courts with room to grow and will serve nearly 1 million residents into the next century.
