Abbott’s ambitious asphalt agenda: Texas invests $142 billion in transportation in coming years

On August 17, Texas Governor Greg Abbott proudly announced a record-setting $142 billion investment in the state’s transportation infrastructure, marking a major milestone in the continued development of a next-generation transportation network.

The current proposed budget for the project is substantial $25 billion increase in total investment from the previous year

This record-shattering sum includes the unanimous endorsement of a $100 billion 10-year statewide roadway construction plan in collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The plan will focus on enhancing safety measures, alleviating congestion, improving connectivity, and preserving the integrity of Texas’ roadways. Notably, this represents a substantial $25 billion increase in total investment from the previous year.

“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,” said Governor Abbott.

“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. This plan will not only connect Texans from every corner of our state, it will also bolster our economic growth and ensure Texans and businesses continue to thrive for generations to come.”

“This historic investment in our transportation system is critically important to help meet the needs of our fast-growing state,” said Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Abbott and our Texas Legislature, Texas continues to see growth in the transportation investments needed to support a world-class transportation system focused on safety and congestion relief.”

“This plan will help the lives of all Texans for years to come as we work to move people and goods safely and efficiently in our rural, urban, and metropolitan areas,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “TxDOT is already putting these resources to work with a record number of projects aimed at improving safety and saving lives on our roadways.”

In a move that has set the stage for significant growth and infrastructure enhancement in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott recently unveiled TxDOT’s proposed 2024 Unified Transportation Program (UTP), which is expected to witness an unprecedented surge of $15 billion compared to the 2023 iteration. Under the aegis of the State of Texas, the staggering investment pool for the 2024 UTP will encompass over $142 billion, earmarked for a myriad of purposes ranging from the initiation and execution of developmental projects to land acquisition for public right of way, and even engineering and regular maintenance contracts, in addition to UTP construction financing.

The Unified Transportation Program will allocate an average yearly investment of more than $10 billion

Over the forthcoming decade, the UTP will allocate an average yearly investment of more than $10 billion, a move that is anticipated to yield an impressive economic windfall of approximately $18.8 billion annually, as reported by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s comprehensive analysis. This financial boon is attributable to a surge in labor income, a robust increase in business output, and the creation of an impressive 70,500 jobs, both direct and indirect, as a consequence of these projects.

Of note is the inclusion of roadway segments listed in Texas’ compilation of the 100 Most Congested Roadways, which are among the many projects highlighted in the UTP. There will also be a substantial increase in funding for Texas Clear Lanes congestion-relief endeavors, culminating in a cumulative total investment of $66.7 billion for completed, ongoing, and planned non-tolled projects since 2015. Additionally, rural projects have been granted an allocation of $19.2 billion, a sharp uptick from the comparatively modest $2.2 billion in the 2016 UTP.

Serving as a critical roadmap for the advancement of transportation initiatives statewide, the UTP meticulously outlines projects spanning the gamut from public transportation to maritime, aviation, and rail investments. The selection of projects under the UTP is an intricate process, helmed by TxDOT in collaboration with local transportation leaders, and is contingent upon a range of factors, including safety, pavement quality, capacity, and rural connectivity. The public’s input is actively sought and valued at both the state and local levels.

More information on the UTP projects is available here.

Recently, it was confirmed that Texans in need of help will continue getting help with paying gas, water and electricity bills until the end of year through the LIHWAP and LIHEAP programs.