LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Publicity event set for this weekend to drive traffic to roadway in anticipation of start of new school year

 (Laredo, TX)  The recently inaugurated Cuatro Vientos Loop 20 Extension – officially opened on July 18 – still has its “new road smell,” because drivers have yet to break in the roadway. That’s why City of Laredo leaders, along with Texas Department of Transportation officials, have partnered with Border Media to create a marketing campaign that touts the benefits of using the new road versus the congested Zapata Highway entitled “No Batelle;” or in English, “Don’t Hassle.”  Aside from awareness of the time saved by traveling on Cuatro Vientos, a scavenger hunt promotional event to be held this Saturday, August 13, 2011, from 11 AM to 1 PM, will help drivers become familiar with the new seven-mile, four lane roadway.

 “We built this roadway to make sure we provided an alternative route for South Laredoans to get to school, work, or other destinations safely and efficiently,” said District I Council Member Mike Garza, in whose district the roadway lies.

 Motorists are encouraged to head to the Point A location:  Roosevelt Elementary, located at 3301 Sierra Vista Boulevard, about 500 feet west of the Cuatro Vientos intersection.  At this location, they will pick up instructions to the surprise location of Point B – after driving along Cuatro Vientos.  At Point B, motorists will receive a goody bag (one per vehicle) full of items that includes a City of Laredo T-shirt; food coupons, TxDOT “Don’t Drink and Drive” promotional material and a pair of tickets to the “La Voz de Laredo” talent show contest final show, courtesy of Border Media.  Motorists must drive from Point A to Point B in order to be eligible to win, while supplies last.  The talent show concert event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at Laredo Energy Arena, starting at 6 PM and will be a benefit concert to collect school supplies for needy children. 

 A limited number of tickets will be sold:  $7 for adults and children 12 and under will get in free.   Also featured at the concert will be Siggno.  For more information about this show, please contact Border Media at 725-1000.

 “The fact that Laredo was earmarked for stimulus funds for such an incredible opportunity to improve the transportation infrastructure and thus, the overall quality of life, for South Laredo, speaks volumes of the leadership team involved in the Cuatro Vientos extension project, “ states Ana Rivera-Soto, General Sales Manager with Border Media. “ We are proud to do our part to inform Laredoans of the convenience and accessibility that  Cuatro Vientos provides, especially as children get ready to go back to school and traffic increases along Highway 83 and Loop 20,” adds Rivera-Soto. 

After the promotional event, Border Media will continue to run awareness ads about the Cuatro Vientos roadway, encouraging users to use this route once school starts, saving motorists’ time, money and even, some sleep.

 The Cuatro Vientos project, otherwise known as the State Loop 20 extension project, was constructed by J. C. Evans Construction Company, L.P. of Leander, Texas at a cost of $33.8 million. Funding for this project included $31.5 million in Economic Stimulus (ARRA) funding with the remainder coming from Coordinated Border Infrastructure funds allocated for use in Webb County.

 “Nothing brings us more pleasure than to see motorists enthused about using a new roadway, one that will provide an alternate and relief route to US 83 South with easier and less-congested travel to their destinations,” said Alberto Ramirez, P.E., TxDOT Laredo District Director of Transportation, Planning and Development. 

 The new seven-mile roadway consists of a four lane roadway that extends north to south from State Highway (SH) 359 near the State Loop 20 intersection, South to Cielito Lindo, and a two-lane portion from Cielito Lindo to Mangana-Hein Road. Construction began on November 12, 2009. The road was substantially completed on July 15, 2011. 

 This road will provide future, positive socio-economic impact for the residents of Laredo and South Laredo to include La Presa Colonia residents. It will improve access for and to the surrounding area, and improve traffic flow and circulation by enhancing connections to existing streets and roads.

 Thanks to the City of Laredo, the traveling public will be able to access Cuatro Vientos Road through Pita Mangana Boulevard and Sierra Vista Boulevard. Future access through Cielito Lindo is expected in the future. 

 A future expansion of this project is expected for Cuatro Vientos Road at the southern end from Cielito Lindo to Magana-Hein Rd. from a two to four-lane roadway.