Politics
Amarillo City Council Approves 2027 Infrastructure Ordinance, Setting Paving Schedule for Local Streets
The measure directs $2.8 million from the capital projects fund to road resurfacing in four Amarillo zip codes beginning October.
How we reported this
The Amarillo City Council voted 6-1 on July 8 to adopt the 2027 Infrastructure Maintenance Ordinance, which commits specific general-fund dollars to street resurfacing projects in the 79103, 79107, 79109 and 79119 zip codes.
Why the vote occurred now
The ordinance follows the city's March pavement condition survey that identified 47 lane-miles rated poor or failed. Council members tied the timing to the release of the Texas Department of Transportation's annual allocation report, which showed Amarillo receiving $1.1 million less in state aid than the prior year.
Under the ordinance, crews will mill and overlay segments of Amarillo Boulevard, Coulter Street, and 34th Avenue between September and December. Residents in those corridors will see temporary lane closures during daytime work hours, with the city posting detours through the Public Works Department website.
Direct effects on households and businesses
Property owners along the listed routes will receive notices this month about temporary driveway access changes. The ordinance also requires the city to maintain current water and sewer tap fees through 2027, shielding new construction projects from additional charges during the paving window.
Local delivery firms and school-bus routes that use the targeted streets will operate under revised schedules issued by Amarillo Independent School District transportation officials. The ordinance states that any business with a loading zone on the affected blocks must apply for a temporary permit through the city's code compliance office by August 15.
The next council work session on July 22 will review contractor bids, after which the city manager's office will publish the final project map and daily work schedule on the municipal website.