Mayor's Update on Infrastructure Projects
April 11, 2025
With this recent time of overlapping infrastructure projects in and around Gordon and resulting service disruptions, I thought it might be helpful to provide some additional information on projects and what can be expected in the coming months. I understand that disruptions to service are frustrating and boil water notices are concerning. As a resident of Gordon I experience these impacts along with you and our City works to ensure these inconveniences are minimized.
City Line Upgrade Project
For those of you who attended the City Update on March 10 or read the update posted here, there is a City project that is being executed by a contractor to upgrade lines in town in three areas: along Elm; in the area of Rusk, Pecan, W Travis; and in the area around Main and E Travis. For a detailed map you may refer to to page 17 of the City Update. This project will primarily replace cast iron pipes, improving water quality and making the system easier to maintain. The costs associated with this project have already been incorporated into the water rates and will not result in additional rate increases.
The line upgrade project has been staged to take on the most challenging area along Elm first, as this area has a high density of existing gas and water lines. Both the city and the contractor conduct 811 "locates" before digging as a standard practice. Location of existing infrastructure is dependent on the accuracy of available maps. This week there were occurrences Monday and Wednesday of cutting into an unmetered water line that was not mapped, resulting in depressurization and mandatory boil water notices (BWN's). BWN's are a precaution in the event bacteria or contaminants are sucked into our public lines during depressurization. When lab results are returned with good results, the BWN is rescinded. We update our records when we find unmapped lines.
On Wednesday evening the project crew hit a gas line that had not been identified, which resulted in an unfortunate impact to services at First Baptist. We understand the cancellation of Wednesday church was disappointing to the congregration and many individuals in our area and sincerely apologize.
Other Projects
Brightstar is changing out electric poles in and around Gordon. When a pole that services your home is being changed out, electricity will be off for a few hours. The City is performing line locates to ensure there are no water service disruptions. Brightstar is communicating with customers for this project.
TXDoT is resurfacing Main/Hwy 919 from I-20 to Travis, with work conducted in the evenings to reduce impacts. This was also mentioned in the March 10 City Update.
I appreciate that you have taken the time to read this communication and would ask you to share information with others who may have questions and encourage them to follow our website and/or reach out to Teresa at City Hall 254-693-5676 for any questions or if you would like to schedule time with me.
The overlapping projects and magnitude of change in this small window of time can be unsettling. These upgrades are going to make our infrastructure better and more reliable, but getting there is not fun. I spoke to a young mother who shared the frustration of a simultaneous water and electricity outage. I get it. We will keep learning from every disruption, and keep communicating with you.
Thank you!
Mayor Sherrye Mills
