Cargill and TXDOT discuss new entrance for Friona Plant
Cargill and Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) officials met Monday to discuss possible options on improving the entrance to the Friona Cargill Plant. Parmer County officials were also invited to attend the meeting.
Three options have emerged from the meetings between Cargill and TXDOT. The following is a brief summary of the plans which includes a cost estimate and a possible completion date. These are preliminary estimates only. While there is no definite timetable, TXDOT officials would like to start their planning process by the end of February.
The U-Turn Option
This plan would close the current entrance and exit from Highway 60. All traffic exiting the plant would be sent east towards Friona. U-turn lanes would be installed somewhere around Country Road J so employees would have the option to make a u-turn and then merge to Highway 60 and travel west. All traffic entering the plant would come from the west. Those employees arriving from the east would have to drive past the plant and a u-turn lane would be available somewhere around County Road 15 for them to u-turn and travel back east to the plant entrance. The two U-turn lanes would be large enough for both cars and trucks.
The estimated cost is $6.5 million for this option. TXDOT would fund this option and construction could begin sometime this summer. This option alleviates the danger of crossing Highway 60 in order to enter or exit the plant. It does not solve the problem of Cargill traffic crossing the railroad tracks to enter or exit the plant.
The Highway 60 Overpass Option
This plan would call for the installation of an east/west overpass over the current plant entrance. Motorists from Friona and Bovina would drive up and over the plant entrance. Cargill traffic would exit Highway 60 and would use the current roads to enter the Plant. Traffic would exit the plant and turn right to merge onto Highway 60 east or travel under the overpass and turn left to merge onto Highway 60 west.
The estimated cost is $15 million for this option. TXDOT would provide approximately $11 million and Cargill would be responsible for $4 million. Estimated completion time would be 2022. This option also solves the cross traffic problems but does not address the railroad crossing issues.
The County Road 15 Overpass Option
This plan would call for the installation of north/south overpass over Highway 60 and the railroad tracks somewhere near County Road 15. The current plant entrance would be removed. Cargill traffic would exit Highway 60 and use the overpass to travel over Highway 60 and/or the railroad tracks in order to enter the plant.
The estimated cost is $21 million for this option. TXDOT would provide approximately $11 million and Cargill would be responsible for $10 million. Estimated completion time would be 2024. This option solves both the Highway 60 cross traffic issues and the problems associated with crossing the railroad tracks.
One additional factor looming over the planning process is that BNSF Railway is adding a third track in Parmer County. Train traffic will definitely be increasing in the future. New Mexico officials have apparently approached TXDOT district engineers concerning a possible overpass in Farwell/Texico.
