Roadwork to continue through September

By Edwina P. Garza

PALMVIEW — The sea of orange traffic barrels and congestion along frontage roads will stick around for at least another three weeks, transportation officials said this week.

On Monday and Tuesday night, the Texas Department of Transportation shut down portions of the expressway to finish underpass lighting and install bridge signs. The road detours put drivers on the one-lane frontage roads, but for residents of this area, traffic delays and roadway headaches are nothing new.

Read more: Construction Headaches

Read more: Rio Grande expeted to rise slightly in the Valley

MISSION — Tucked below the levee road, along the river bank, water streamed through Chimney Park Resort as if rushing to reach a drain. The river, which had risen following rainfall from Hurricane Alex and Tropical Storm No. 2, had increased throughout the week as Falcon Dam waters were released. The water began invading trailer homes by Monday, leaving the park abandoned by the end of the week.

“Everybody’s upset,” said Wallena Haynes who manages the park with her husband, Buddy. “(The water is) coming up really fast.”

Read more: 'Everybody's upset,' as river floods Chimney Park

For local families who are feeling the budget pinch and want to spend less money on a vacation this summer, there are plenty of things to do right at home.

Read more: Have Summer fun in Mission

Father Roy Snipes, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, carefully studied the flooded grounds of La Lomita Chapel, located on the banks of the swollen Rio Grande Wednesday afternoon.

The priest has often referred to the iconic chapel as a symbol of the struggles of the people who settled a harsh frontier alongside the life-giving waters of the Rio Grande. His thoughts turned to others who would struggle to overcome this, another chapter in the story of La Lomita, as he watched the rising waters of the river.