Colleyville Public Works Director Ray Silva-Reyes explained the city was taking advantage of the original contract with HQS Construction LLC to fill additional gaps in the city’s pedestrian walkways.
“Get them knocked out with this contract and save us a little bit of mobilization fee,” Silva-Reyes said. “Like I said, we have a good contract on our hands.”
When completed, the John McCain Hike & Bike Trail improvement project will build an 8- to 10-foot-wide concrete walkway in separate segments that will connect to the existing Cotton Belt Trail. Construction is currently underway on the south side of John McCain Road, and the additional funds will go to filling gaps on the north side. Some of the sidewalk on the north side of the road will be completed by the new Oak Alley subdivision.
The city initially budgeted $748,199 for the project in August, which was raised to $935,429 on Dec. 15. According to city documents, state law allows cities to increase construction contracts by up to 25% of the original cost, which was done in this case.
The project’s funding comes from Collyville’s tax increment financing, or TIF, zone, an area that encompasses SH 26 and a few other commercial areas. Part of the property tax revenue from those areas goes to a TIF fund for capital improvement projects.
