Dallas-Fort Worth and Collin Counties to get more than $11B for transportation infrastructure by the state
Dallas, Texas – The State of Texas has unveiled an unprecedented funding commitment of $142 billion for its transportation infrastructure, including a substantial allocation of over $11.5 billion earmarked for roadways in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area. The funding plan, which reflects the largest infrastructure investment in the state’s history, was announced by Governor Greg Abbott.
Texas Department of Transportation had huge impact on the funding decision
The strategic investment is a culmination of a collaborative effort with the Texas Department of Transportation, which culminated in the unanimous adoption of a sweeping 10-year, $100 billion statewide roadway construction plan. The ambitious program is poised to exert significant influence on a multitude of roadways spanning several counties within the DFW area, including Collin, Dallas, Kaufman, and Denton.
In a further allocation of resources, $288 million has been designated to support ancillary projects along U.S. 380 in Collin County. These efforts will augment the existing commitment of approximately $1 billion previously dedicated to this thoroughfare.
Moreover, a sum of $524 million has been reserved for the comprehensive reconstruction of the I-30 Canyon, situated between Interstates I-35E and I-45 in Dallas County. This significant overhaul is anticipated to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance accessibility to the surrounding areas.
Elsewhere in Dallas County, $220 million has been earmarked for the reconstruction of U.S. 80 in Mesquite, specifically focusing on the stretch between Town East Boulevard and Belt Line Road, including the interchange with Interstate 635. In an additional infrastructure boost, the state has also allocated $163 million for the improvement of the I-35, I-35E, and I-35W corridors in Denton County. Planned developments in this area encompass the construction of breakout interchanges, the addition of new frontage roads, and the implementation of capacity enhancements.
Finally, Kaufman County is set to benefit from a funding allocation of $263 million, earmarked for various infrastructure projects within the county’s jurisdiction. Notably, this funding will be utilized to widen sections of Interstate 20 with an investment of $25 million, as well as the allocation of $101 million to expand State Highway 205.
“Thanks to our booming economy, Texas has achieved a major milestone in our transportation infrastructure with this record $142 billion investment that will strengthen our roadways and build a next-generation transportation network,” Abbott said in a prepared statement. “Through this record transportation investment project, the State of Texas will further improve roadway congestion and safety to meet the growing needs of Texans in our large metros, rural communities and everywhere in between.
In a February announcement, Governor Greg Abbott revealed the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) ambitious 2024 Unified Transportation Program (UTP), a proposal showcasing a notable increment of $15 billion compared to the 2023 UTP. Emphasizing the state’s majority contribution to the funding, the 2024 UTP encompasses an extensive investment totaling more than $142 billion. The program is all-encompassing, covering all aspects of infrastructure development and delivery, right of way acquisition, engineering, routine maintenance contracts, and direct UTP construction funding.
The annual investment is expected to be more than $10 billion
The program’s projected outlay reveals an impressive average annual investment exceeding $10 billion, programmed across the next decade within the UTP. This significant financial commitment is anticipated to yield substantial economic dividends, as revealed by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s meticulous analysis.
The Institute estimates that the investment is set to generate approximately $18.8 billion per annum in economic benefits. These benefits are envisaged to materialize in the form of augmented labor income and increased business output, as well as fostering the creation of an estimated 70,500 jobs, both direct and indirect, adding further momentum to the state’s economy.
The proactive approach to infrastructure investment embodied in the 2024 UTP reinforces Texas’s commitment to enhancing its transportation network, ultimately strengthening the state’s economic vitality and long-term growth potential.
