Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-19
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convinced that the road from the big
bend was to exposed TO be considered
practicable. He stated that it would
be practicable If no other route were
available; that a road could be built
through the low lands, but the cost
I would be around S35, 900 to $4,000
per mile for the 1913 miles.
Roads Increase Valuations
l.. O'Bryan, employed by Cameron
county in equalizing assessments.
said that he estiLlated that every
mile of paved highway through agri-
cultural lands, serving wide areas on
each side Of the roaod, increased tax
able valuations approximately $4,000
per mile. He estimated thta paving
of the military road would result in
an increase of valuations upon a
ratio Of approximately 100000 to
s70,0 0 per mile, being slightly under
the average due to the fact il runs
close to the river decreasing the
extent OF lands benefited on the
river side. He estimated that con-
struction Of the Boca Chica road
from the termination Of the pave
ment to Boca Chica beach would IN
crease the taxable valuation OF ali
lands served about Si.40 per acre.
Judge Dancy was also called upon
TO testify il regard TO county valu-
atoms, stating that the 1928 valu-
atoms of the county, real and per-
sonal, would be about $~42.500.000 as
compared with 3 100000 in 1927. He
said that the valuations on real
estate represented approximately 30
per cent of the value.
Claims Road Costly
Construction of a concrete high
way from the big bend in the Rio
Grande 10 the point where il would
connect with the Barreda-Point 1sa-
bel road. about a mile and a half
out of Point Isabel, would cost ap-
proximately $4,000 per mile, or
over s 5000 per mile more than the
average cost in Cameron county, W.
O. Washington, county engineer, tes-
titled. The road would be 10.9 miles
in length, with 30 10 30 per cent
exposed brcadside to Gulf storms and
abnormal tides. Mr.. Washington ex-
nlaired that the storm hazard on the
Boca Chica road was nor so great
hscause il was not exposed broad
ne 10 the Gulf.
ne witness stated that dirt work
f. structures on the Boca Chica
I'D from the end of the FL Jardin
ing to the sands near the Boca
rlca beach would cost the county
lr $4,000, and that less than a
lie Of the grade remained 70 be
construo ed. Plans have also been
prepared by his office for the plank
roadway TO the beach. He said that
tbe cost of concreting this would be
sn~nroximately $4,000 per mile.
Relative to the river ~levees, Mr..
Washington stated that he consider
cd the paving of the military road
- essential to the protection OF large
ares in Cameron county.
aThe levees are designed 70 with
stand the pressure of floods" he
aid. "but there is always an element
n uncertainty about floods. II is
;r,nossible TO provide against all
hreaks. and 10 is essential that the
county have a road that will permit
vnobilition Of men and machinery
should such breaks occur"
Left Cutoff TO Court
No agreement was reached BY the
sd committee as TO the location
the proposed cutoff from the
"a Chica road, and the location
left to the discretion Of the
-mmissioners court, was the testi-
orv Of r. B. Rentfro, chairman Of
the road committee. Mr.. Rentfro
.sid the committee had discussed
AZ cutoff frequently; that the roao
from the big bend had been discuss
"A. but that no surveys or estimates
sere available as to the feasibility
20 that road. The committee did not
discuss road types with the court. he
said.
Fred Rusteberg vas recalled and
.,ated that breaking Of the flood
control levees along the river would
damage the irrigation systems and
would also destroy large acreages OF
the i~ntervenors rested. and Judge
E. A. Graham. attorney for the eoun-