Commissioners Look Back at 2025 Infrastructure Improvements Here
By CLINT STERNADEL
Precinct 2 Commissioner
Precinct 2 has had a very successful 2025, completing several major infrastructure improvement projects, facilities and equipment upgrades, and implementing proactive maintenance plans, all while staying within our annual budget. These accomplishments reflect careful planning, long-term coordination, and active oversight to ensure projects were completed efficiently, safely, and responsibly.
Bridge replacements and crossings were among the major infrastructure projects completed this year. Klatt Road had aged culvert pipes replaced with larger concrete box culverts and guardrails that meet or exceed Tx-DOT specifications. Minarcik Road received similar improvements, where two existing culverts were replaced with concrete box culverts and a road surface capable of handling four times the water flow. Gebhard Road saw the demolition of an iron, clear-span bridge and its replacement with a new concrete bridge spanning 100 feet, placed on drilled piers.
The largest bridge project completed spanned a couple of years: the historic iron bridge on Willow Springs Road over Cummins Creek. This project alone was a $1,090,000 historic rehabilitation of a local icon first installed in 1885, preserving an important piece of Fayette County history while improving safety and reliability.
The Gebhard, Cummins Creek, and Klatt Road bridges were all replaced through a TxDOT off-system bridge replacement program. By utilizing these programs, Fayette County saves millions of taxpayer dollars through in-kind work and long-term planning. Under this program, the County is only responsible for a 10% match of qualifying in-kind work elsewhere in the county. The Minarcik Road bridge has already been utilized as match funding for future bridge replacements on Vasut Road and Kramr Road
in the coming years. These efforts reflect our continued commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
We capitalized on the dry summer season and repaved over 17 miles of Precinct 2 roads, including several streets for the City of Fayetteville and the Town of Round Top. Several of these miles involved full-depth stabilization using either limestone base or integrated fly ash. In addition to addressing immediate needs, we continued to prioritize proactive maintenance to extend the life of our roads and reduce long-term repair costs.
Alongside these major repairs, we routinely performed brush cutting, tree removal, and pothole repairs as they arose.
It was also a very busy year for right-of-way mowing. Compared to the normal two rounds typically planned, all 236 miles of Precinct 2 were mowed in entirety three times this year, with a fourth round consisting of a single pass to ensure safe visibility for bus routes and parents just prior to the start of the school year.
The employees of Precinct 2 and their dedication are the reason we have so much to be proud of. This year, we insulated our workshop, upgraded mechanic bay tools and storage, and replaced basic safety materials so the majority of maintenance work and repairs can be performed in-house.
These improvements increase worker safety, capability, and efficiency while allowing our crews to complete projects in a timely manner.
We will continue building on this progress in the coming year with a focus on safety, efficiency, and long-term planning for Precinct 2.
Thank you for your patience while we work for you.
Commissioner Clint Sternadel,
Precinct 2
Superintendent: John Rubio Operators: Britt Harper, David Koska, Clayton Mayer, Eddie Muske, Michael Peters, Jason Smith, Jadon Weidemann, Tanner Weinert, Randall Zwernemann