Highway 149 Update from the Mayor

In regard to the widening of Highway 149, may I inform you what the big picture looks like as of now. At the meeting printed in the Watchman, several factors were brought up as to where the ideal location would be for the widening. As far as going through Beckville, the highway would be widened on the west side only. This is the side that Poppy's is on. I was told that all the utilities,(water, sewer, gas and electrical), would have to be relocated for all the individuals on that side of the road inside the city limits. Needless to say, the water and sewer line relocation would cost around $800,000. Also the city would have to pay 10 percent of the cost of obtaining right-of-ways. This could cost the city about $20,000. Looking only at the economics of the project, it looks cost prohibitive. The route around the east side of Beckville is not popular with the landowners. TxDot would go around oil and gas wells and cemeteries, but there are not many utility expenses involved. Right-of ways would have to be obtained, but the county would have to match the 10 percent instead of the city. The estimated cost could be $1.47 million dollars for Panola County. There is one last option. Do nothing. The highway would not be built.

Please let me know what your thoughts are about this proposed project. You can e-mail me at gmothershed@juno.com with your response or call city hall at 903-678-3661.

Thank you,

Gene Mothershed
Mayor