Rio Hondo residents are concerned about a proposed highway project estimated to cost around $350 million.

The proposed highway would start at I-69E north of Harlingen and run east, but some property owners have questions about what it would mean for them.

There are currently four potential routes that could eventually determine where the outer parkway is built.

That's why AJ Mata said now is the time for people to start asking questions.

"They really need to take the initiative to give the Valley residents a voice," Mata said.

Mata has several questions himself. He was one of several people who went to a public meeting on the project last week.

He said he expected an open forum where people could ask questions in front of the room and everyone could hear the answers.

That's not how it was set up.

"We had no microphone. You walked in, it was just a lot of maps on the wall," Mata said. "The citizens weren't given an open forum and we were kind of caught off guard."

The Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority said that format was meant to give people a chance to ask questions specific to their property.

The agency also acknowledges some people wanted a public Q&A and said it will take that feedback into consideration for future meetings.

Mata said one issue he wants discussed more openly is what could happen to people's land.

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As previously reported, the outer parkway would run more than 20 miles from I-69E north of Harlingen toward Rio Hondo.

The project's own numbers show, depending on which route is picked, between 115 and 129 properties could be affected and as many as 11 homes could be displaced.

Those numbers are still preliminary, and a final route has yet to be picked.

Channel 5 News asked CCRMA what happens if someone's property is eventually needed, but they don't want to sell?

The agency said it would first have the property appraised and try to reach an agreement with the owner. If an agreement isn't reached, CCRMA said eminent domain could eventually be an option.

CCRMA also says public comments can change these plans.

The agency originally proposed three routes, but added a fourth after public outreach last year. Residents still have time to submit feedback.

The public comment period runs through September 14.

For Mata, he said he doesn't want to see growth stop. He wants people to know what that growth could mean for them and have a voice while there's still time to shape it.

"I think transparency is a big thing and I think allowing people to have a voice as to what's happening," Mata said.

Watch the video above for the full story.