Governor Abbott, TxDOT announce record $142 billion transportation investment
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott announced a record $142 billion in total investment for Texas' transportation infrastructure. The record investment includes the unanimous adoption of the $100 billion 10-year statewide roadway construction plan with TxDOT for transportation projects to enhance safety, improve congestion and connectivity, and preserve Texas roadways. This is a $25 billion increase in total investment from the previous year.
The 2024 UTP includes $2.4 billion in funding in the El Paso District, which includes money for the following projects:
- $83 million for I-10 Segment 2 Downtown widening between Executive Center Blvd. and SL 478 (Copia Street), complementing $304.9 million previously dedicated to IH 10.
- $90 million for FM 2185 extension between Looney Spur Rd. and Junction with FM 3541 in addition to $10 million of existing funding.
- $110 million for I-10 widening between FM 1905 (Antonio St.) and SH 20 (Mesa St.)
- $12 million for I-10 frontage road construction between Executive Center Blvd. and Sunland Park Dr. to add to $16.5 million of existing funding.
- $51.2 million for US 54 (Patriot Freeway) between Kenworthy St. and FM 2529 (McCombs St.)
- $30 million for US 62/180 (Montana Ave.) expressway and frontage roads between Global Reach Dr. and FM 659 (Zaragoza Rd.) in addition to $101.6 million previously dedicated on this project.
- $40 million for SH 178 (Artcraft Rd.) operational improvements and direct connectors at IH 10 in addition to $168.5 million previously dedicated to SH 178.
- $14 million for US 62 passing lanes between East El Paso/Hudspeth County Line and two miles East of FM 2317 in addition to $9.27 million of existing funding.
“Thanks to our booming economy, Texas has achieved a major milestone in our transportation infrastructure with this record $142 billion investment that will strengthen our roadways and build a next-generation transportation network,” said Governor Abbott. “Through this record transportation investment project, the State of Texas will further improve roadway congestion and safety to meet the growing needs of Texans in our large metros, rural communities, and everywhere in between. This plan will not only connect Texans from every corner of our state, it will also bolster our economic growth and ensure Texans and businesses continue to thrive for generations to come.”
“This historic investment in our transportation system is critically important to help meet the needs of our fast-growing state,” said Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Abbott and our Texas Legislature, Texas continues to see growth in the transportation investments needed to support a world-class transportation system focused on safety and congestion relief.”
“This plan will help the lives of all Texans for years to come as we work to move people and goods safely and efficiently in our rural, urban, and metropolitan areas,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “TxDOT is already putting these resources to work with a record number of projects aimed at improving safety and saving lives on our roadways."
In February, Governor Abbott announced TxDOT’s proposed 2024 UTP, estimated to be $15 billion more than the 2023 UTP. With the State of Texas providing a majority of the funding, the 2024 UTP includes a total investment of over $142 billion for all development and delivery projects, right-of-way acquisition, engineering, routine maintenance contracts, and UTP construction funding. The over $10 billion of average annual investment programmed in the UTP over the next 10 years is expected to bring an estimated $18.8 billion per year in economic benefits, per the Texas A&M Transportation Institute's analysis. These benefits are a result of increased labor income and business output, as well as the addition of 70,500 direct and indirect jobs.
Many of the projects in this plan are roadway segments identified on Texas' 100 Most Congested Roadways list. Texas Clear Lanes congestion-relief projects will see an increase in funding, supporting $66.7 billion total investment for completed, under-construction, and planned non-tolled projects since 2015. Funding for rural projects also increased to $19.2 billion, a major jump from $2.2 billion in the 2016 UTP.
The UTP is a planning document that guides the development of transportation projects across the state. Additionally, the UTP identifies public transportation, maritime, aviation, and rail investments. Projects are selected by TxDOT and local transportation leaders based on effectiveness in addressing criteria such as safety, pavement condition, capacity, and rural connectivity, with opportunities for public input at the both the state and local levels.