San Carlos, TX (KRGV) — Crews have started a $900,000 project to make four intersections safer, including three near school zones, Hidalgo County Precinct 4 Commissioner Ellie Torres said.

Construction started this week at Ramseyer Road and Doolittle Road. The county will then move work to the other three intersections.

Channel 5 News was near the intersection of South 83rd Street and Tex-Mex Road in San Carlos. The spot sits by two elementary schools and has no sidewalks along that stretch of road.

Betsy Trevino lives near San Carlos Elementary and walks to pick up her 5-year-old cousin from school. She said children walking to and from school have to share the road with passing vehicles.

"It gets really bad," Trevino said. "Sometimes we always watch out for the kids who are going to school or even coming out from school. There are no sidewalks at all."

Torres said people have brought those concerns to the county for years.  

The project includes new sidewalks, turning lanes, street lighting, updated pavement markings, and drainage improvements. 

"Especially around our school areas… when there's just too many vehicles in the area, it's going to contribute to some sort of an accident occurring," Torres said.

Torres says the goal is to finish all four projects by the end of next summer. 

The county said no road closures are expected right now, but drivers should watch for construction crews, follow posted signs, and slow down in work zones.

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