BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS - Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr., has given the RGG Business Journal an update on the Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan.
The plan is developed every five years by the Texas Department of Transportation and the Border Trade Advisory Committee. TxDOT describes the plan as “a comprehensive, multimodal, Texas-Mexico long-range plan. It identifies current and future transportation needs, challenges, and opportunities for moving people and goods across the Texas-Mexico border.”
The last plan was issued in May 2021. Now, TxDOT and BTAC are working an update that will come out in 2026. The first meeting to secure input from border stakeholders occurred two weeks ago in Brownsville. Mayor Cowen said he attended to ensure the next plan factors in the growth of his city and major developments in the region, such as SpaceX and the expansion of industrial activity at the Port of Brownsville.
“We were just honored to have them start their update in Brownsville,” Cowen said.
Asked to explain the plan, Cowen said: “Every five years they (TxDOT and BTAC) meet in key cities to review the plan and discuss any changes that the community sees (as necessary to) impact infrastructure investment. So they want to see on the ground, data or take input that will help them with their planning. So, they want to know what industry sees. What cities see. What are the issues with current infrastructure?”
Cowen said he appreciates the willingness of TxDOT “to work collaboratively with the City of Brownsville and our community, our industry partners, the Port of Brownsville and SpaceX and Starbase. I think it sets the foundation for very good strategy on how to improve infrastructure.”
Cowen said it is good timing for TxDOT and BTAC to review the Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan, given the fresh challenges now faced by border communities.
“I think it's very timely. Obviously, Brownsville is experiencing a lot of change. And, obviously, government doesn't move at the speed of industry. So, it's important to get that real-time feedback, so that TxDOT can factor that data into what they're planning. And remember, they plan ten, 20, 30 years in the future.”
Asked if he or Brownsville City Commission had any specific recommendations for the next iteration of the Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan, Cowen said:
“Obviously, everything that's happening at the Port and SpaceX, the growth that we're seeing. Besides the LNG projects, the Port has, as I understand it, billions and billions of dollars of other projects that are non-LNG related, that are going to impact transportation infrastructure. And so I think it's important them to have that in mind when they are looking at our region.”
Cowen pointed out that unlike most communities, Brownsville has six modes of international transportation here in Brownsville.
“It’s a very unique place for that connectivity. Obviously, for TxDOT, safety is the number one priority. We want to protect our motorists and our community. And then here's a lot of liquid cargo that passes through Brownsville, and so we need to make sure that the cargo passes safely and efficiently, right? Also, we have wind blades crossing through Brownsville from Mexico. I think in the future, SpaceX will be probably shipping on a lot of different modes of transportation. So, I think just having that line of communication is crucial.”
Cowen said it is important, in addition to various stakeholders and industry, that the residents of Brownsville pay attention to the Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan. It was put to Cowen by a news reporter that that is not easy given that TxDOT does not tell the media about their meetings on the subject in advance. Cowen said he was not aware of that.
Editor's Note: Here, below, is a video recording of the RGG Business Journal's interview with Mayor Cowen. It includes discussion on his appointment as Chair of the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization:
Another Rio Grande Valley leader who has commented on the Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan is Teclo Garcia, CEO of Mission Economic Development Corporation. Garcia also attended the meeting in Brownsville.
“About 70 government and private-sector leaders from both sides of the Rio Grande participated in the TXDOT planning workshop meant to restart regional and international transportation planning for the entire Texas-Mexico border. It’s been five-plus years since the last border master plan was undertaken,” Garcia wrote, on LinkedIn.
“Why is this effort so important? It creates US-Mexico transportation alignment and sets priorities for the Rio Grande Valley and Tamaulipas. The year-long process, which will include four other border areas, directs TXDOT staff and seeks input and feedback from local and regional stakeholders.”
Garcia said he was “very thankful” that TXDOT staff conducted “an open and productive session.”
He added: “As a member of the TXDOT Freight Advisory Committee and the Border Trade Advisory Committee, I look forward to working with stakeholders, the TXDOT Commission and the TXDOT team.”
Editor’s Note: Click here to learn more about the Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan, including an executive summary of the 2021 plan.
