Looking back on a month of progress in February

March 4, 2026

By Ryan LaFontaine

AUSTIN — From the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast, TxDOT reported significant progress on major transportation projects in February, with new construction, milestone openings, and critical safety upgrades completed across the state.

Major projects move forward in West Texas and the Panhandle

In the Panhandle, TxDOT announced construction is set to begin on a $99 million upgrade to U.S. Route 87 in Hartley and Moore counties. The project will convert the existing highway into a four-lane divided roadway with center turn lanes from U.S. Route 385 to FM 2589 near Dumas.

The improvements are designed to enhance mobility, increase traffic capacity and improve safety. The project is set to be complete by 2030.

Central Texas sees expansion and traffic shifts

In Central Texas, construction began on a $107.5 million widening project along U.S. Route 190 in Copperas Cove. The project will expand the roadway from two lanes to a four-lane divided highway, reconstruct key intersections and add a new overpass to increase long-term capacity. Work is expected to continue through early 2029.

In Belton, TxDOT launched a $2.5 million shared-use path project near Lake Belton High School, adding sidewalks and crosswalks along FM 2483 to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. The federally funded project is expected to be complete in early 2027.

Meanwhile in Austin, TxDOT permanently closed two exits along I-35 near downtown to accommodate the opening of a new Riverside Drive bypass lane, as part of the transformative I-35 Capital Express Central project. The long-term project will reconstruct and lower I-35 through central Austin, add carpool lanes and enhance bike and pedestrian infrastructure to help ease congestion along one of the state’s busiest corridors.

East Texas celebrates milestone

In East Texas, officials gathered to celebrate the completion of the $141 million Diboll Relief Route, a project decades in the making and a key component of the future Interstate 69 corridor. The new route is expected to reduce congestion, improve hurricane evacuation capacity and enhance traffic safety in Diboll and Angelina County.

In La Grange, TxDOT reopened the historic truss bridge on Business 71 after more than two years of rehabilitation. The opening restores traffic flow while maintaining the newer concrete bridge to provide multiple ways to cross the river.

Houston and San Antonio see key improvements

In Houston, the Katy Freeway reopened early after TxDOT completed repairs to the Houston Avenue bridge ahead of schedule. The eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 had been temporarily closed, but crews finished repairs sooner than anticipated, minimizing disruption for drivers.

In San Antonio, the final flyover ramp at the Loop 1604 and Interstate 10 interchange opened to traffic, marking a major step toward completion of the multiyear project. All eight flyovers were opened in less than 14 months, well ahead of schedule. The interchange overhaul is now about 70% complete, with full completion expected in 2027.