The community and environment will benefit from a special river bend project under way near the banks of the Rio Grande along the Laredo Community College Main campus.
The project—a collaboration of the U.S. Border Patrol, City of Laredo and LCC—includes the renovation of an environmentally-friendly caliche river road Border Patrol uses for border security purposes. The road has been in existence for approximately 20 years or more to thwart illegal activities along the river bank.
LCC President Dr. Ramon Dovalina said the caliche road has been in disrepair, making it difficult to maintain border security.
The project is being funded by Homeland Security grants. No college funds were required.
“Most recently, LCC police observed smugglers crossing the river and loading duffle bags, which allegedly contained illegal substances,” Dovalina explained. “The police officers were able to stop the vehicle and confiscate over 500 pounds of marijuana. The driver of the vehicle managed to flee back to Mexico after crossing the river.
“This is an indication that the campus needs enhanced security along the college’s international border,” Dovalina noted.
The project also includes an 8-ft.-high metal fence and road to provide access to maintain the fence, and provide emergency evacuation routes to the river road from the campus.
The metal fence will benefit the campus and environment several ways.
“The metal fence will help deter or slow down illegal crossings to enhance campus security. It also will deter the use of unauthorized vehicles on the hilly terrain from disturbing the bird habitat and vegetation along the river banks,” Dovalina said.
The original star fort of the former Ft. McIntosh military installation also will be protected from further destruction. The project also gives the college an opportunity to pursue grants to preserve the integrity of archeological sites along the vega.
Dovalina added that the fence is decorative with features that complement the historical values of the campus.
The river bend project also entails the cleaning of a concrete culvert that protects the river banks from erosion.
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