Commentary: Historic road investment

Texas is booming.

Our state adds a new Texan almost every minute of every day. Our quality of life and vibrant $2.4 trillion economy make our state an attractive place to live and a compelling destination for future Texans. While growth poses challenges, the Texas Department of Transportation is meeting the moment with a record investment in our transportation system to ensure Texas remains the preferred destination for families and businesses.

Thanks to the vision of Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature, the Texas Transportation Commission is up to the task with the adoption of the largest financial commitment to roadway infrastructure ever: $147.9 billion. This includes $104.2 billion for TxDOT’s 10-year transportation plan known as the Unified Transportation Program. The $147.9 billion investment — including development and routine maintenance — marks an increase of $5.6 billion from last year’s previous record.

From 2010 to 2020, Texas’ population grew more than any other state. We added nearly 4 million people, roughly the entire population of Oklahoma. Currently, Texas has eight of the nation’s top 10 fastest-growing counties for numeric growth, which are part of our five largest metro districts and home to 68% of all Texans.

The support of Texans has been central to our continued delivery of new and better roadways, thanks in large measure to voter support of Proposition 1 in 2014 and Proposition 7 in 2015, which is the same year I joined the commission.

A lot has changed since then. These days, TxDOT has a record $52.3 billion in projects currently under active construction — more than triple the amount of projects under way in 2014.

TxDOT is keeping pace with Texas’ growth and infrastructure needs. Later this year, we will break ground on an $11 billion project to improve mobility and reduce flooding along a stretch of Houston’s I-45 corridor. That stretch of roadway accounts for nine of the top 25 Most Congested Roadways in Texas — a project supported by $5 billion from 2023’s UTP. Last spring, we also broke out the shovels to expand capacity of Loop 1604 to give San Antonians more travel lanes and better connections to I-10.

Those are just two examples of turning dirt on congestion-relief projects as part of the Texas Clear Lanes initiative. Since 2015, we have dedicated nearly $35 billion of funding toward $76 billion worth of projects on Texas’ 100 Most Congested Roadways list. The 2025 UTP features an additional $1.9 billion of funding for these Texas Clear Lanes projects.

Soon, TxDOT will also break ground on the $4.5 billion I-35 Capital Express Central project to expand and improve an 8-mile stretch in the heart of Austin. In North Texas, the just-approved UTP supports the full funding of the US 380/Spur 399 congestion relief and safety improvement project in Collin County, the second-fastest growing county in the nation.

Improving connectivity for rural areas, which are home to one of every 10 Texans, remains paramount.

To help connect the rural parts of the state, this UTP includes an additional $1.7 billion in funding for rural corridors and key roadways in economic hubs. Major improvements are occurring in rural Texas, including along US 87 and US 83 in the Panhandle running through Amarillo and Lubbock. This supports the transport of goods in agriculture, oil and gas production, lumber/timber and other products to our population centers. Border transportation also gets a boost with a planned alternate to I-10 and Phase 2 of the Borderland Expressway in El Paso.

Safety is at the heart of every project at TxDOT, and this year’s plan reflects that. We will spend $17.3 billion on safety-focused programs, over and above our efforts to reduce congestion and improve connectivity. We understand that Texans want to make it to work and get their kids to school safely and on time.

Finally, our commitment to maintenance has not wavered. While the department celebrates a record-breaking UTP for the second year running, we also have established a record investment of $43.7 billion in development and maintenance funding. When added with the $104.2 billion UTP, the unprecedented $147.9 billion total investment will help keep Texans and our economy moving.

I want to thank my fellow commissioners who have helped guide TxDOT as the agency works to improve safety, provide congestion relief, increase statewide connectivity and enhance the quality of life for all Texans. As our population and economy continue to grow, we are meeting the challenge to provide a robust transportation system that will serve all current and future Texans.

J. Bruce Bugg Jr. is chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission.