• Construction Begins on Loop 20 Project in Laredo

February 23, 2013

City, county and Alliance for I-69 Texas representatives broke ground this week to start construction of a diamond interchange overpass facility on Loop 20 at McPherson Avenue in the north side of Laredo.

Loop 20 is designated as the future route of Interstate 69 in Laredo. The Loop 20 freeway has already been completed from the World Trade Bridge to an interchange with Interstate 35.

Much of Loop 20 currently is a four-lane divided highway with at-grade crossovers which are being replaced with overpass interchanges one at a time.

The Loop 20/McPherson project will cover a distance of one mile and is located at an intersection that sees more than 39,000 a day on Loop 20.

The TxDOT project is expected to cost approximately $14.5 million and will be completed in about 12 months.

Jorge Verduzco, Alliance for I-69 Texas board member and officer, told the Laredo Times that investments in highways are a sure way to strengthen the economy. He said the project will be good for Laredo and for Nuevo Laredo.

This is a key border point for transportation and connecting Interstate 35 to Interstate 69 allows for a strong connection between inland ports and Texas' seaports, he said.

Melissa Montemayor, TxDOT Laredo District administrator, said the project will be a significant safety improvement for an intersection that sees dozens of accidents each year.

The City of Laredo is supporting the effort to remove all traffic lights from the Loop and convert it to a limited access freeway with grade separations.

Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas said the latest project will do a great deal to speed up traffic and reduce traffic congestion.