MIDLAND, Texas — The City of Midland has been expanding rapidly as it continues to improve upon itself.
However, that rapid expansion can be a double-edged sword, as the northern part of Midland is beginning to cross over into Martin County.
While it may come as a shock to some, City of Midland Director of Engineering Gabe McClelland says this actually happens quite frequently.
“It’s pretty common," McClelland said. "Cities and corporate limits can expand into other counties so it's pretty typical.”
The neighbors who live out there know first hand of the expansion.
Some residents who live right on that City of Midland and Martin County line say they don't know who to turn to when it comes to getting their roads repaired.
Some of the roads out in Northern Midland are made of caliche, which has been an issue for some time now.
With how bumpy the road is, residents are worried that EMS vehicles wouldn't be able to make it out to their homes quick enough as hazardous roads could slow them down.
There is also a problem with weather, especially after the rain. For those who may not know, caliche and water don't exactly mix well.
“This road was bad to start off with when I came out in April but it's gotten progressively worse," Susan Beatty, who lives in Northern Midland, said. "Every time it rains there's no where for the water to go. There are big puddles and big sinkholes.”
Neighbors have been reaching out to the City of Midland and Martin County, trying to get something done.
The City of Midland says, for now, there are plans to work on some of the roads in due time.
“So Elkins Road...the development of Fairgrounds Road, are in the planning processes," McClelland said. "Now when I say that, we don't have all the right of way we need and it's happening in phases.”
That phrase “right of way” is the big one.
For the City of Midland to work on any roads, they need to have right of way, which needs to be bought ahead of time from property owners to get roads built.
“When we acquire right of way, we work with multiple property owners to acquire right of way,” McClelland said.
McClelland described right of way as something similar to a puzzle, to keep up with the rapid expansion that is happening, they’ve got to have the right pieces that can fit in the right spaces.
“Long range comprehensive planning is absolutely imperative," McClelland said. "It's important that during the planning process that we acquire right of way for future roadways and development and that we work with developers to develop the arterial roadways that are needed.”
The city said, if the road is private, it’s an issue with the developers. If it is within the city limits, they are within their limits to keep up maintenance on roads.