WESLACO, Texas - Nearly $1.1 billion in federal and state funding will be available for transportation projects in Cameron and Hidalgo County over the next ten years under TxDOT’s new Unified Transportation Program.
The Texas Transportation Commission, which oversees the work of the Texas Department of Transportation, adopted the new ten-year plan at its meeting in Austin on Thursday.
It awarded $2.1 billion to the Pharr TxDOT District for transportation improvements in the counties of Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, Willacy, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Brooks, and Kenedy.
Andrew Canon, executive director of Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, said UTP is a programming tool TXDOT uses to identify a region’s priority projects. Hidalgo and Cameron counties are within the RGVMPO.
Canon said a number of major regional projects would be funded thanks to the new monies from TTC. These include the widening of SH 48 in Cameron County, the widening of Business 77 in Harlingen, construction of SH 68 in Hidalgo County, new construction of the International Bridge Trade Corridor (phase 1) in Hidalgo County, and the widening of FM 1015 in Weslaco.
Canon praised RGVMO chairman, Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, RGVMPO vice chairman, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., the group’s transportation policy board, and legislative leaders such as State Sen. Juan Hinojosa, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and state Rep. Terry Canales, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation.
“It is due to the efforts of the local elected officials that saw the benefits in the regionalization of the three former MPO’s into a large, regional organization that would address the needs of a region, and not just an area,” Canon told The Rio Grande Guardian.
“TxDOT committed to supporting the region and yesterday’s actions are reflective of their commitment to the Rio Grande Valley region and citizens. Through the efforts of the local elected officials who sit upon the RGVMPO Transportation Policy Board the RGV is now moving forward in a robust, financially sound manner for the decade ahead.”
TTC is chaired by J. Bruce Bugg. Rep. Canales said it is clear Bugg and the entire TTC commission is “tuned in” to the transportation infrastructure needs of the Valley.
“Chairman Bugg and the other commissioners of the Texas Transportation Commission have been allies of South Texas and understand the need to invest down here,” Canales said.
“Our proximity to one of the U.S.’s biggest trading partners is part of the reason our economy is so strong and our population is expanding so quickly in the RGV.”
Canales said the Valley’s growth, coupled with an expected increase in trade with Mexico due to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, means more funding must come to the Valley for transportation.
“As we grow, we need to continue improving our transportation infrastructure for the future, and this is exactly what the commission is planning for with this windfall. $2.1 billion will go a long way in developing our transportation systems around here, and it will provide us the resources to continue doing our part to bolster the Texas economy,” Canales said.
“Today is a victory for RGV citizens on the transportation front, and I am proud of how far we’ve come,” Canales added.
Sen. Hinojosa provided a list of the newly authorized projects and funding adjustments approved for Hidalgo and Brooks counties.
· $96 million for Phase 1 of the International Bridge Trade Corridor (IBTC) from 365 Tollway and FM 493 to IH 2. (New Authorization)
· $30.7 million in increased funding to upgrade US 281 in southern Brooks County to interstate standards.
· $5.5 million to widen SH 364 in Mission from FM 2221 to FM 676 (New Authorization).
· $11.1 million in increased funding to widen FM 676 in Alton from SH 107 to Taylor Rd.
· $12 million in increased funding to widen FM 676 in Alton from SH 364, East to SH 107.
· $19 million to widen FM 2061 in McAllen from Bus 83 S to Hall Acres Rd. (New Authorization)
· $9.2 million to widen FM 3362 in Pharr from Bus 83 S to SH 495. (New Authorization)
"As we continue dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic, we must also move forward with investing in our transportation infrastructure,” Hinojosa said.
“Infrastructure is key to continue the economic growth of the Rio Grande Valley and to help us rebound quickly from the economic downturn. I appreciate the Texas Transportation Commission's unanimous vote today to approve the 2021 Unified Transportation Program.”
Additionally, Hinojosa said, TTC approved $30 million to fund border infrastructure projects. He said that as vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee, he helped secure these funds. He said he also helped secure $46 million in Coordinated Border Infrastructure funds.
“These funds will be used for the expansion of the Anzalduas Port of Entry to make improvements to southbound inspection facilities and construct northbound facilities to enable loaded and empty commercial traffic in both direction. The funds will also be used for SH 365 to reduce congestion on Cage Boulevard and serve traffic traveling from the international bridges and trade zones,” a news release from Sen. Hinojosa stated.
The new projects build upon existing projects, Hinojosa pointed out. He cited the $303 million Pharr Interchange reconstruction project, $46 million Bicentennial Project in McAllen, and the $155 million US 83 La Joya Corridor project, as existing projects already underway.
Hinojosa said the Valley’s legislative delegation has been working closely with TTC, the TxDOT leadership, and RGVMPO. He singled out Mayor Hernandez for playing a key role in prioritizing the IBTC project.
“Together, we will work to make our priorities known and to continue advocating for additional investments in transportation infrastructure projects in South Texas. The newly authorized projects and increased funding in the 2021 UTP will greatly help our transportation needs in the Rio Grande Valley,” Hinojosa added.
Judge Treviño provided a list of the projects in Cameron County that will be funded under the new ten-year TXDOT plan. They include:
"Thanks to Chairman Bugg, the Texas Transportation Commission, Administration and our District Office, the total funding for Cameron County, including the U.S. 77 projects in the TxDOT's 2021 UTP draft is approximately $920 million,” Treviño said.
Treviño pointed out that last year, the leadership of the Valley came together and agreed to regionalize the three local metropolitan planning organizations to form one regional MPO.
“The funding for these much-needed projects are the fruits of having one regional MPO," Treviño said.
He said the submitted projects are “vital for our community and will greatly assist with the flow of traffic, commute time, promote public safety, and maintain continuity of the Texas State Highway System.”
“The listing of projects includes multi-jurisdictional integration and is proposed for the next 10 years to improve the quality of life of our residents,” Treviño added.
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