Denton has asked two members of Congress for federal money this year: $1 million to design a higher Mingo Road bridge over Cooper Creek, and $138,000 for portable barriers meant to keep vehicles away from crowds at downtown events.
Both requests appear in materials for a federal legislative briefing on the City Council's Tuesday, Oct. 27, work session. A staff slide says each was included in an appropriations subcommittee budget, though Congress has not passed a final one.
The bridge
The Mingo Road request went to U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson's office. A city summary describes the crossing in northeast Denton as a low bridge that floods often during moderate rain, which closes the road and slows emergency response. The summary also says the structure restricts the creek's flow and worsens flooding upstream.
The $1 million would cover design and engineering only. The city puts the full project at $14 million and says finishing the design would let construction start once money is found.
Barriers for events
The second request, sent to U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill, would buy 32 mobile anti-vehicle barriers. Total cost is listed at about $544,805. According to the summary, Denton holds more than 100 events a year, many on the downtown Square, and now relies on construction barricades that do not stop vehicles, so police and fire vehicles end up parked as blockers.
