» County Progress Highlights I-69 Signing

A statewide magazine for those in local government reports on the ceremony celebrating the unveiling of signs marking the first official section of I-69 in Texas and the state's commitment to moving ahead with I-69 upgrade projects. [Full Report]

» US 77 Upgrade Environmental Assessment Ready

The Draft Environmental Assessment of upgrading US 77 from Corpus Christi to Harlingen is complete and found no significant environmental impacts. The recommended Preferred Alternative is to build on the existing highway footprint and to construct new relief routes at Driscoll and Riviera. After a public comment period issuance of a final assessment is likely later this year. Several TxDOT projects are in the works along this 122-mile section under separate environmental documents. [Full Report]

» Celebration Marks Signing of First I-69 Section

It was windy and cold but the smiles were warm as friends of Interstate 69 Texas celebrated the official unveiling of signs marking the state's first I-69 section which runs through Corpus Christi and Robstown. Ten large overhead signs and dozens of smaller directional signs are now in place on I-37, I-69 and and connecting roadways. The I-69 Advisory Committee and the Alliance for I-69 Texas also held a joint meeting to discuss how planning for future I-69 projects will be addressed in the coming months and years. [Full Report]

» Commission Approves First I-69 Designation

The Texas Transportation Commission has approved adding a section of US 77 in Nueces County to the Interstate Highway System -- the last step officially designating it as Interstate 69. This is the first section of I-69 route highway in Texas to be moved up to interstate status. Signage has been ordered and will be installed later this year at the western edge of Corpus Christi. A much longer section of US 59 in Montgomery, Harris and Fort Bend counties is expected to be added to I-69 next year. [Full Report]

» State Approves $89.8 Million for I-69 Projects

The Texas Transportation Commission has approved a long list of projects across Texas that will be funded the $3 billion in voter-approved Proposition 12 funds made available for 2012-2013 by the Legislature. The list includes 14 projects on the routes being upgraded to become Interstate 69 with most concentrated in South Texas where TxDOT and local interests are working to extend the interstate highway system to the Rio Grande Valley serving 1.2 million Texas residents and 2 million more in adjoining areas across the Rio Grande. [Full Report]

» Shepherd Rail Overpass A Key I-69 Project

A US 59 railroad underpass in San Jacinto County has long posed a major obstacle standing in the way of extending interstate standard highway lanes northward beyond Cleveland and Liberty County. Work is progressing quickly on major bridge structures that will carry Interstate 69 over the main line railroad tracks south of Shepherd. This safety and mobility project includes a total of 3.4 miles of freeway main lanes with frontage roads. A second overpass project will begin nearby in 2012. [Full Update]

» US 77 Section 1st to be Added to Interstate System

I-69 in Texas is now a reality. The Federal Highway Administration has granted a request to add a 6.2-mile section of US 77 at Corpus Christi to the Interstate Highway System. Once numbering is approved by AASHTO it will be signed as I-69. A second TxDOT request is being prepared seeking addition of sections of US 59 in the Houston region to the Interstate System. [Full Update]

» Mica Pledges Help Expediting I-69 Projects

U.S. Congressman John L. Mica, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, told an I-69 Alliance luncheon audience in Houston that it is important that the nation speed up the process of making projects ready for construction. Congressman Blake Farenthold stressed the importance of I-69 and rail projects to Texas seaports and manufacturers. [Full Report]

» Lawmakers Help Facilitate I-69 Upgrade Projects

The Texas Legislature has approved changes to state law that will provide local communities with additional tools to help build I-69 upgrade projects. Lawmakers also gave the go ahead for $3 billion in bonds to pay for road projects, renewed authority for public-private partnerships and clarified the authority of local and regional tolling agencies. [Full Update]

» Two Valley Projects Win Funding

The Texas Transportation Commission has approved two I-69 route projects for funding under TxDOT's pass-through financing program. One project is at the intersection of US 77 and SH 550 in Brownsville. The second is near the town of Encino on US 281 north of McAllen. [Full Update]

» Segment Committees Gathering Citizen Input

The five I-69 Segment Committees appointed by and representing local communities along the I-69 route have begun gathering citizen input on the preliminary ideas and recommendations they have developed over the past two years. Segment One Committee in East Texas is making members available to make presentations as part of the process. TxDOT also has developed brochures and a new website to support the public involvement effort. [Full Update]

» Falfurrias Project Taking Shape

Construction work on six miles of interstate standard freeway on US 281 through the South Texas town of Falfurrias is now approximately 50% complete. The $88 million project is being built on the footprint of the existing highway through the center of Falfurrias which is located in Brooks County 70 miles north of McAllen.

[Full Update]

 

» Congressional Action Sought for I-69 Signing

Bills have been filed in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate which allow for completed sections of Interstate 69 in Texas to be added to the Interstate Highway System and for I-69 signs to be placed on those highway sections. The bills, co-sponsored by all members of the Texas delegation, would also add US 83 between McAllen and Harlingen as a congressionally designated I-69 route. This freeway segment is already at interstate standard. [Full Update]

» Robstown, Ben Bolt Projects Completed

Two South Texas projects to upgrade existing roads to interstate standard are now complete. The final touches have been added to a two-mile long extension of the U.S. 77 freeway through Robstown, a $20 million project. At Ben Bolt in southern Jim Wells County, the new main lanes are open to traffic on a 1.8-mile freeway project. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the $18 million project was held Sept. 6th. [Full Update]

 

» Alliance Backs Cameron County RMA Proposal

The Alliance Board of Directors approved a resolution supporting an effort by the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) to facilitate US 77 upgrade projects. [Full Update]

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