The Texas Department of Transportation or TxDOT is seeking the public’s input on a 10-year transportation plan.
The Unified Transportation Program guides development projects across the state to improve safety, address congestion and connectivity, and preserve roadways for Texas drivers. In addition, UTP addresses public transportation, maritime, aviation, rail, freight and international trade, and bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, the state agency said.
In TxDOT’s Pharr District, which includes the Rio Grande Valley, 39 projects are included in the 2023 UTP at a cost of $1.45 million. The projects are either add capacity to the roads or adding new roads.
Its funding categories include preventive maintenance and rehabilitation, metropolitan and urban area corridor projects, non-traditionally funded transportation projects, statewide connectivity corridor projects, congestion mitigation and air quality improvement, structure replacement and rehabilitation, metropolitan mobility and rehabilitation, safety, transportation alternative programs, supplemental transportation projects, district discretionary and strategic priority.
Some of TxDOT’s listed projects for Cameron County include new frontage roads in San Benito from IH-69E and FM 732 intersection to Sherer Road and Business 77 intersection and widening of FM 732. 5 miles west of FM 1577.
In Harlingen, widening of Commerce Street from Commerce Street to the Arroyo Bridge and safety and pedestrian from State Highway Spur 206 to Commerce Street.
In Brownsville, the widening of a road from IH-69E to FM 1847, working on the East Loop from IH-69 to State Highway 4, and widening the road from U.S. 281 to IH-69E.
Twelve projects are listed for Cameron County at a cost of $264,516,171.
Some of TxDOT’s listed projects for Hidalgo County include upgrade to the freeway north of SH 186, intersection improvements in Edinburg from Business 281 West to IH-69 C and widening of the road from 10th street to McColl Road.
In Mission, there will be the widening of roads from Veterans Boulevard to La Homa Road. Another project is the International Trade Bridge Corridor Phase 1.
Twenty-four projects are listed for Hidalgo County at a cost of $1,105,977,702.
In Starr County, TxDOT is looking at widening the road from Placido Road to north of Loma Blanca Road and is also looking at the Rio Grande City/Roma Relief Route.
The cost of the two projects is $72,007,150.
TxDOT is looking at freeway improvements in the Sebastian area from the Cameron County/Willacy County line to Spur 413. This project in Willacy County will cost $4,380,000.
The public comment period opens on Friday and will end on Aug. 8.
The UTP and its public comment form can be found at: https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/transportation-planning/utp.html
The UTP contains information for all 25 TxDOT districts.
