RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas - Pete Alvarez, Pharr District Engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation, has explained the significance of the eagerly-awaited State Loop 195 project.
TxDOT held a groundbreaking ceremony for phase one of the project on Dec. 2. Alvarez was master of ceremonies. Among the elected officials present were state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, Starr County Judge Eloy Vera, Rio Grande City Mayor Gilberto Falcon, and Roma Mayor Jaime Escobar, Jr.
In an exclusive video interview with the RGG Business Journal, Alvarez said work on the 17.24-mile project will be divided into three phases and will serve as a relief route for U.S. 83 in Starr County. The route will go from FM, 755, in Rio Grande City, to the US 83/Loma Blanca Road intersection in Roma, just north of Roma High School.
"It's been about 20 years since we first initiated conversations about having State Loop 195,” Alvarez said. “I'm super excited about this job. I really feel that this area has grown. The folks in Starr County and the folks that go through Starr County, from Laredo to the Valley, deserve a project of this magnitude and I think this is a continued investment in Starr County.”
Here is the interview:
Alvarez said the estimated cost for all three phases of the construction is $240 million. He said that in addition to alleviating congestion along the current US 83 route - which has traffic signals at multiple intersections - the new US 83 route will also enhance safety and improve mobility and connectivity.
Phase One has an estimated cost of $62 million. It will connect FM 755 to FM 3167, in Rio Grande City.
Phase Two will connect FM 3167 in Rio Grande City to FM 649 near El Sauz. It is scheduled to go out for construction bids in late 2026.
The third and final phase, connecting FM 649, to the intersection of US 83 and Loma Blanca Road is tentatively set to go out for construction bids in 2028.
Alvarez said State Loop 195 will facilitate the movement of freight between Laredo and the Valley by enhancing safety and reducing commute times.
“All three projects will include a four-lane divided highway (two travel lanes in each direction) with shoulders and a grassy median. Bridges will be constructed at FEMA flood zones and 13 other waterways. Crossovers will be added at intersections with Charco Blanco Road, Jesse Warren Road, Alvarez Road, San Julian Road and Ebony Avenue,” a TxDOT press release stated.
The total project will cost an estimated $240 million dollars.
“In about five to six years, we're going to be able to traverse that entire area, non-stop,” Alvarez added, proudly.
Alvarez said that as construction begins for State Loop 195 between Rio Grande City and Roma, TxDOT is already looking into extending the corridor between Rio Grande City and Hidalgo County. In fact, Alvarez said the longterm goal is to connect State Loop 195 to the 2nd Causeway on South Padre Island.
Alvarez said TxDOT is conducting a feasibility study for the SL 195 Extension and Connector and will host a virtual public meeting and two in-person open house meetings later this month.
The virtual presentation will be posted online on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., and will remain online for at least 15 days. To view the virtual meeting, go to: www.txdot.gov and search “SL 195 Feasibility Study.”
The two in-person options are:
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Rio Grande City High School
5726 N. FM 755
Rio Grande City, Texas, 78582
Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Edinburg North High School
3101 N. Closner Boulevard
Edinburg, Texas, 78541.
