Drivers traveling along Shary Road in McAllen say they are finding nails, screws, bolts and other bits of metal scattered across the roadway, creating repeated tire damage and raising safety concerns for commuters, pedestrians and bicyclists.
Seventy-year-old Gloria Garza, a Granjeno resident who uses Shary Road often, said she has had to repair or replace tires multiple times this year after metal objects punctured them. She recalled one instance in which a long metal piece went through a tire that had been on her car for less than two weeks.
"Bad issues where we have to end up buying tires and all of that," Garza said. "You find a lot of metal objects."
Residents point to nearby recycling yard
Neighbors and drivers suspect scrap falling from vehicles tied to Valley Steel Recycling, which operates along Shary Road near Military Highway. Garza said debris appears worse when trucks are leaving the business, and she sometimes takes alternate routes to avoid spots where metal accumulates.
Channel 5 News used a magnet to survey a roughly 10-foot area and reported that nails and screws were plentiful enough to fully cover the magnet. The on-the-ground check reinforced residents' claims that the problem is widespread along sections of the roadway.
City says it received complaint; company says it will comply
McAllen city officials confirmed they received a complaint this week about debris on Shary Road and said code enforcement will follow up until the issue is resolved. Valley Steel Recycling responded to media inquiries by saying the company is aware of the situation and will follow the city's instructions. Neither the city nor the company provided a timeline or specifics about the corrective steps to be taken.
The complaint and the company's acknowledgement leave residents waiting for clearer action and a timetable for cleanup or mitigation. For drivers, the issue carries immediate costs: Garza said she has repaired tires three times this year, and described an incident where a piece of metal about "maybe four or five inches long" pierced a nearly new tire.
- Who is affected: Daily commuters, residents who use Shary Road, cyclists and pedestrians.
- Main concerns: Repeated tire damage, potential traffic hazards and roadway cleanliness.
- Current response: McAllen code enforcement follow-up; Valley Steel Recycling says it will comply with city instructions.
| Detail | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Area magnet tested | 10-foot section |
| Times resident repaired tires this year | Three |
| Age of punctured tire in one incident | 7–8 days |
Residents say the scattered metal not only causes financial strain from repeated tire repairs and replacements but also increases the risk of sudden flats and loss of vehicle control. Drivers who hit debris at speed risk blowouts that can lead to collisions or motorists swerving to avoid metal and entering other lanes.
Local officials did not provide additional detail on enforcement measures or whether periodic street sweeping, legal action or fines are being considered to prevent recurrence. Valley Steel Recycling’s response acknowledged the problem but stopped short of outlining specific cleanup actions or revised hauling practices.
For now, those who travel Shary Road say they will continue to monitor the strips of pavement where debris seems to collect and report fresh hazards to city officials. Some said they will keep taking alternate routes when possible to reduce the chance of more costly vehicle damage.
WE NEWS will continue to follow the city’s code-enforcement response and any remediation steps taken by Valley Steel Recycling as residents press for a clearer timeline and permanent fix.
