Traffic, Parking Changes Start This Week in Downtown as Parking Garage Construction Starts
Staff Report
Edinburg, TX – The City of Edinburg and Hidalgo County are advising the public of upcoming traffic and parking changes as construction begins on the new Downtown Parking Garage, a $6.2 million project aimed at improving accessibility in the city’s courthouse district.
The three-story structure, located at the corner of McIntyre Street and North Closner Boulevard, will feature 268 parking spaces once completed. Construction is scheduled to begin Thursday, Nov. 6, following the public lot’s closure on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The project is expected to take about 12 months to complete.
To ensure safety during construction, one southbound lane of North Closner Boulevard and a section of West Kuhn Street will be closed to allow equipment access. The sidewalk along Closner will also be closed, with pedestrian traffic redirected to North 10th Avenue, where sidewalks have been expanded for safe passage. Temporary signage will guide pedestrians to and from the courthouse area.
Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. said the new garage represents a key investment in downtown accessibility. “This project represents an important investment in the future of our community,” Garza said. “We ask for the community’s patience during construction, as these temporary inconveniences will bring lasting benefits to our city.”
Alternative parking will be available in the L2 and L3 lots along North Closner Boulevard, as well as in the A2 and A3 lots at South 12th Avenue and East Mahl Street. Valley Metro will provide free shuttle service from these lots to the courthouse, running Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with stops every 15 minutes.
In addition, Hidalgo County is constructing a new 104-space parking lot at North 12th Avenue and East Loeb Street to further ease congestion. That project is expected to be completed by late December, weather permitting, and will also be included on the Valley Metro shuttle route.
“We want to thank the City of Edinburg for the construction of this parking garage that will vastly improve the parking situation for the County Courthouse and the entire downtown square,” said Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez. “We ask the public to please be patient and adhere to all traffic signs during this construction period.”
Both the city and county are urging drivers and pedestrians to follow posted detours and safety instructions throughout the duration of the project.
Source — City of Edinburg and Hidalgo County.