News Summary
College Station is experiencing significant changes, including road construction on Rock Prairie Road, resulting in temporary closures. A local favorite, Harvey Washbangers, was tragically destroyed by fire, impacting employees and the community. Additionally, Brazos County is making strides to improve access to public records for the upcoming election, while DWI incidents are on the rise. A proposed Inner East Loop project has sparked debate among residents, highlighting the area’s growth and ongoing developments.
Major Developments Rock College Station
Road Construction is Underway
College Station is jumping into action with some major changes to local roads. On March 10, construction kicked off to rebuild Rock Prairie Road, and it’s all part of a bigger plan to improve the ride for drivers around town. This segment of Rock Prairie, which stretches between Bird Pond and Town Lake, will be closed for eight weeks, so folks will need to plan their routes accordingly.
Thankfully, the intersections at Bird Pond and Town Lake will stay open, allowing for some access during the chaos. Meanwhile, work still continues on Rock Prairie from the freeway to Stonebrook Drive where one lane is open in each direction. If everything goes smoothly, this phase should wrap up in about three weeks, allowing for easier travel in the coming months.
But that’s not all. Later this summer, a future phase planned after voter approval in November 2022 will close Rock Prairie between Town Lake and Dublin Parkway. Buckle up, College Station; more roadwork is on the way!
Fire Destroys Local Favorite
In a heartbreaking turn of events, a beloved local restaurant and laundromat, Harvey Washbangers, was reduced to ashes early this morning. Firefighters responded at approximately 5:30 AM to battle flames that ultimately caused the roof to collapse and twisted the exterior walls. Fortunately, no one was harmed during this fire, and officials are diving into the investigation to determine what led to this crisis.
Thanks to the heroic efforts of the local firefighters, damage was minimized to neighboring businesses due to a ten-foot gap between the structures and their clever tactics of spraying water in that space. However, residents in the area did face a temporary snag with dropped water pressure due to extensive hydrant use while combating the blaze.
The tragedy impacts not only the establishment but also the 35 employees who are now left searching for work. The chef of Washbangers has put out a call for hiring opportunities in hopes of helping his team land on their feet.
Exciting News for Voters
In some positive news, the Brazos County commissioners have unveiled a way to save residents money when it comes to obtaining public records from the upcoming November 2024 election. With the purchase of new software costing $12,875, providing access to 100,000 pages of records will become much easier and affordable.
By using this software, the names of 92,000 voters will be automatically removed, which means residents only have to pay about $40 instead of the astronomically high $750 that manual removal would cost. This clever move will also allow for public access to cast vote records within 60 days, making the entire process smoother.
DWI Incidents on the Rise
In concerning news, a 23-year-old man from Bryan, named Jorge Villegas Guillen, found himself in serious trouble for DWI just ten days before a hearing for three prior DWI charges. Guillen was discovered passed out in his pickup truck at a convenience store parking lot and claimed he wasn’t behind the wheel. Despite his denials, he failed field sobriety tests and posted a $2,000 bond for his release from jail.
In another incident, 18-year-old Kolton Mickey was arrested for DWI after crashing into a Texas A&M police patrol vehicle. With an open container in the vehicle and two THC vape pens, it’s quite the alarming snapshot of young driver’s behavior. Mickey confessed to having consumed four or five beers before the crash, resulting in minor injuries to a passenger in the patrol vehicle.
Proposed Inner East Loop Project Sparks Debate
Lastly, as the area continues to grow, Brazos County is eyeing a proposed 20-mile Inner East Loop road project, estimated to cost $11.2 million in design alone. While some believe this project will improve traffic flow, a group of residents named the “No East Loop” organization has formed in opposition, worried that it could lead to homes being relocated.
They are gearing up for a public meeting to rally support against the project and raise awareness about the potential impacts, with an invitation extended to local officials to join the conversation.
With all these updates buzzing around College Station, residents should stay informed and ready for the changes coming their way in the near future!
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Additional Resources
- WTAW: Rock Prairie Road Construction
- Wikipedia: Road Construction
- KBTX: No East Loop Project
- Google Search: East Loop Bryan College Station
- WTAW: Construction Contracts Awarded
- Google Scholar: Public Construction Contracts
- KBTX: Northgate Construction Concerns
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Development Plans
- KBTX: College Station Business Relocation
- Google News: College Station Business Relocations
