The need to eventually relocate water and sewer lines within the City of Magnolia has been acknowledged by both Magnolia 4A Economic Development and 4B Community Development Corps. The potential project has been necessitated due to Texas Department of Transportion’s (TxDOT) proposed widening of FM 1774.

City Administrator Paul Mendes suggested that 4A and 4B prepare to relocate water and sewer pipelines because moving the lines could promote the growth of businesses along the corridor. Without moving the pipelines, he said, TxDOT likely would be unable to widen FM 1774.

Currently the lines lay next to the railroad tracks along FM 1774, which is the proposed area that is expected to be widened.

At a previous 4A meeting, board member David Burdick questioned whether Mendes was planning too far ahead.

“I am just throwing a hook out to see if board members are even interested in going this direction,” Mendes said.

Mendes explained that the benefits of moving the utility lines are to enhance businesses and jobs in the community, provide fire protection and to further extend the potential Magnolia city limits to the south and west.

Mendes said by using some of the funds from 4A or 4B, Magnolia could avoid using the city’s money or borrowing funds.

“TxDOT could help, but it would be a long-term, low-interest loan,” Mendes said.

At Magnolia 4B’s regular meeting Dec. 9, Mendes further discussed the project for the lines, saying 4B would just assist with costs to hire an engineer to redraw the pipelines and find the best area in which to move them.

The pipes would not likely be moved until TxDOT began widening the road. The area of pipes that need to be moved extend from FM 1488 to Friendship Drive.

According to Mendes, the project can be funded by 4A and 4B because it promotes business and improves the city’s ongoing development.

Magnolia 4B voted to adopt the plan as a project in the engineering phase once research has been completed to assure that it is a legitimate 4B project.

Mendes added that after all of the information is presented to assure that it is a proper project, a public hearing will be held.

“We will be looking for money in other sources for the actual project (of moving pipelines) later down the road,” Mendes said.

Moving the pipelines would be more efficient if it takes place while TxDOT is widening the road, Mendes explained, because it provides less chance for problems of having to move the pipes again.

According to the City of Magnolia, widening of FM 1774 should begin between December 2011 and spring 2012.

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