Terlingua
A hastily built, large construction site operated by Kiewit, the same company contracted for construction related to the border wall, has prompted concern among Terlingua neighbors, who complain of an unending stream of noise, dust and heavy truck traffic.
The property, which sits just outside Terlingua Ranch near Agua Fria Road, was listed for sale, and set to close on August 13. Two weeks prior to closing, the first trucks from Kiewit showed up bringing trailers, heavy equipment and few answers. Kiewit has been contracted to work on road maintenance and construction related to the controversial border wall.
“I suspect it’s a lay-down yard.” said Anna Claire Beasley, who owns a home near the site. She described three mobile offices being delivered within 24 hours of a pad being cleared and truckloads of trucks arriving for Kiewit, and she shared photos of a huge acres-large area being cleared of brush, kicking up dust. Kiewit did not respond to questions about what the site would be used for, or if workers would be living on-site, and referred all questions about the site to the Customs and Border Patrol.
Beasley, a photographer and local activist, said the disruptive site operates at all hours. “I was woken up at 2 a.m. by an 18-wheeler slamming on its brakes,” she said. “I’m really worried about a car accident with all the arriving trucks.”
Highway 118 has experienced a regular share of fatal car accidents. Aggressive driving by construction contractors in the area have been reported by other residents, and witnessed by this reporter. The Texas Department of Transportation, which regulates speed and highway safety signs, said that it was unaware of issues associated with the site.
“Traffic control related to construction sites, including the safe ingress and egress of construction equipment and vehicles is dependent on enforcement and responsibility of the construction site,” said a representative for TxDOT.
“We take the safety of our operations, including the use of our vehicles, very seriously and make clear the importance of safe driving and adhering to all traffic laws to protect our people and the traveling public,” a representative for Kiewit said in an email, who said that they would look into the matter.
The property sits in an unincorporated part of Brewster County, with few restrictions. “There are county regulations related to dark skies as well as permits for groundwater production and septic tanks. We expect the contractors to adhere to all of those regulations,” said Brewster County Judge Greg Henington. He urged local residents to document evidence of excessive noise, dust or traffic, particularly during non-business hours.
The county judge confirmed that the contractors had not contacted the county about their plans or operations. The lack of transparency follows a pattern from federal contractors hired to build the border wall, which have given conflicting or incomplete accounts of their plans. For local residents, this has added to frustration of having their lives disrupted by the arrival of heavy construction.
“It is depressing,” Beasley said.
