I-69 projects overview - Lufkin District

Background

I-69 is a proposed national interstate that extends from Mexico to Michigan. Federal legislation authorized the development of the I-69 system in Texas along specified U.S. routes. The Lufkin District office serves Angelina; Houston; Nacogdoches; Polk; Sabine; San Augustine; San Jacinto; Shelby; and Trinity Counties; within the district area those specified US routes include US 59 between Shepherd and Tenaha and US 84 between Tenaha and Joaquin totaling 150 miles.

The development of I-69 in Texas would relieve traffic congestion caused by a growing population, provide safer travel through the state, improve evacuation routes and support economic development.

Project identification and budget

The Lufkin District utilizes reports from the I-69 Advisory Committee, I-69 Segment One and Two Committees and local county committees. The Lufkin District also utilizes resolutions of support from cities and counties to identify, prioritize and manage the development of I-69. Routes and ROW needs are not determined until TxDOT receives approval of the schematic and environmental study.

Projects identified by the District for development are then proposed for listing in TxDOT’s 10 year Unified Transportation Program (UTP). The UTP is neither a budget nor a guarantee that projects will or can be built, but does help guide project development.

Development of I-69 will be a combination of upgrading the existing highway to interstate standards and constructing new location roadways where upgrading is not a reasonable and feasible alternative. No definitive decision on right of way needs or how a project will be constructed is made until the District receives approval of the schematic and environmental study.

Projects under development

At this time, there are no other I-69 projects under development in the Lufkin District other than those listed below.

Angelina County

In 2012, the citizen-led I-69 Angelina and Nacogdoches Counties Committee was established to guide TxDOT in advancing I-69 in Angelina and Nacogdoches Counties. Angelina County Committee members recommended refinements to the new location and US 59 upgrade options, and identified the Diboll Relief Route as the number one priority area for development in the county. For the full report of the committee's recommendations, priorities and maps see the I-69 Angelina and Nacogdoches Counties Scoping Study Executive Summary.

The Lufkin District is currently developing:

US 59 Upgrade Moffett Road to SH 103 (CSJ: 2553-01-115)
US 59 Diboll Relief Route (CSJ: 0176-03-097)
US 59 Redland (CSJ: 0176-02-118)

Nacogdoches County

Nacogdoches County was also involved in the I-69 Angelina and Nacogdoches Counties Committee to guide TxDOT in advancing I-69 in Angelina and Nacogdoches Counties. Nacogdoches County Committee members recommended an option that involves upgrading the existing US 59 as far north as possible before moving onto a new location alignment west of Nacogdoches. They also identified the US 59/Loop 224 South Interchange as the top priority area for I-69 development in Nacogdoches County, regardless of whether I-69 was developed on new location west of Nacogdoches or US 59 was upgraded to interstate standards through the Nacogdoches area. For the full report of the committee’s recommendations, priorities, and maps see the I-69 Angelina and Nacogdoches Counties Scoping Study Executive Summary.

On July 29, 2014, TxDOT performed additional studies and conducted public outreach to determine how TxDOT should proceed with advancing I-69 in the Nacogdoches area. Public input indicated 70 percent of participants supported the US 59 Upgrade Option. Resolutions supporting the upgrade of US 59 to interstate standards were also received from the City of Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County and the Nacogdoches Economic Development Board.

The Lufkin District is currently developing: