By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the NEWS
Residents across the Rio Grande Valley, including those in the San Benito area, have an opportunity to share their transportation priorities as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) develops its proposed 2027 Unified Transportation Program.
The public comment period opened on July 3 and continues through August 3 at 4 p.m. The Texas Transportation Commission is expected to consider the plan at its August meeting.
The Unified Transportation Program (UTP) is TxDOT’s 10-year transportation planning document. The proposed 2027 UTP includes more than $95 billion in planned transportation investments across Texas over the next decade.
For local residents, the plan could help shape future transportation priorities related to roadway safety, regional growth, access to South Padre Island, daily commutes, commercial traffic, and connections between smaller communities and larger employment centers.
Several major projects in the Pharr District are listed among planned transportation investments.
One of the largest is the proposed second access to South Padre Island on SH 104, estimated at $750 million.
Other TxDOT-listed projects include SH 68, estimated at $230 million for fiscal year 2027, and the International Bridge Trade Corridor, currently in the environmental stage, estimated at $223 million.
Additional key projects include SL 195 in Starr County, estimated at $230 million; the US 77 interstate upgrade in Kenedy County, estimated at $317 million; US 281 interstate upgrades in Hidalgo and Brooks counties, estimated at $277 million and $484 million, respectively; and the US 83 widening project in Starr and Zapata counties, estimated at $90 million.
Although not every project is in Cameron County, regional transportation planning can affect how residents, businesses, emergency responders, freight traffic and visitors travel throughout South Texas, according to TxDOT officials.
Ray Pedraza, public information officer for TxDOT’s Pharr District, said residents can help TxDOT better understand local needs by submitting feedback during the public comment period.
“We’re really looking for comments on which projects they’d like to see and when, not really comments on the particular projects themselves,” Pedraza said.
The UTP addresses more than road construction. TxDOT says the program also supports safety improvements, rural and urban connectivity, border infrastructure, maintenance and preservation, public transportation, aviation, maritime, rail, freight, international trade, and bicycle and pedestrian connectivity.
Residents may participate by visiting TxDOT.gov and searching for “UTP Public Involvement.” The site offers comment options, meeting materials, recordings, and presentations. Comment forms are available in English, Arabic, Cantonese, Hindi, Mandarin, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
A virtual public hearing is scheduled for July 29 at 2 p.m. CDT. Residents may also review planned projects for the Pharr District and statewide via TxDOT’s Project Tracker.
TxDOT is encouraging residents to submit comments by the Aug. 3 deadline as the agency prepares the final version of the 2027 UTP for the commission’s consideration.