A Mission resident will soon see her hard work pay off after months of attempting to get streetlights to her neighborhood.

For more than three decades, Ramona Mercado has driven down Alejandra Street to get home.

She said during the day, there are no issues. But at night, it's hard to see because there are no streetlights in the neighborhood.  

After 35 years, Mercado said she decided to do something about it.

“All of the neighbors were in agreement in getting signatures, meeting, and working together to get the lights put up,” Mercado said.

In March, Mercado started going door to door and asking her neighbors to sign a petition to get streetlights in the area.

In May, she turned over the petition with more than 50 signatures to Hidalgo County Precinct 3 Commissioner Everardo “Ever” Villarreal.

Mercado and her neighbors then stood in front of the Hidalgo County Commission in September to ensure their voices were heard, and that change would come to their colonia.

On Monday, her efforts paid off after county commissioners voted to approve the streetlights project.

Villarreal said he wants what happened for this community to happen to others. He encourages other neighborhoods to voice their concerns, and advocate for themselves. 

“I promised to my residents that I want to light up all of our subdivisions in Precinct 3, we just need their support and their work to make this possible,” Villarreal said.

Mercado said this was progress Mercado she fought for, and her community appreciates.

The project is expected to cost Hidalgo County Precinct 3 around $10,000.

People who live in the area will pay up to $20 a year for the service. 

The lights are expected to get installed within the next 12 months.

If you live in an unincorporated area in Hidalgo County and are in need of streetlights, click here.

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