From long-awaited intersection reopenings and new flyovers to pedestrian upgrades, mobility improvements surged statewide in November, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
And from transformative urban highway projects in Austin and San Antonio to flood recovery and safety improvements, TxDOT saw progress on major projects in December, benefiting communities throughout the state.
TxDOT closed out November with major progress on transportation projects across the state, delivering new mobility options for drivers and pedestrians while advancing key long-term improvements for growing communities.
Three FM 1960 Intersections Reopen
Drivers in the Lake Houston area saw noticeable relief as three reconstructed intersections along Farm-to-Market 1960 reopened after nearly four years of phased construction. The intersections at Atascocita Road, West Lake Houston Parkway and Farmingham Road now feature updated signals and improved traffic flow as part of TxDOT's two-segment widening project.
The $128 million effort will expand FM 1960 from a four-lane roadway to a six-lane divided corridor with new sidewalks, raised medians, turn lanes and drainage upgrades. Segment B wrapped up around Christmas, with Segment A following in February.
New Pedestrian Infrastructure Coming to Mart, Waco
TxDOT announced two new pedestrian infrastructure projects aimed at improving safety and accessibility for people walking, rolling and biking in Central Texas communities:
• Mart: Beginning Dec. 1, TxDOT launched a $1 million project along South Carpenter Street to build sidewalks, ramps and marked crosswalks from State Highway 164 to Lumpkin Street. Work is expected to finish in early 2026.
• Waco: A $2.7 million project on Valley Mills Drive will add new sidewalks, upgraded curb ramps and improved pedestrian signals stretching from Bagby Avenue to U.S. 84. Construction will run through summer 2026, with intermittent sidewalk and shoulder closures expected.
Both projects advance TxDOT's continued efforts to support pedestrian mobility in communities experiencing population and traffic growth.
Two New Flyovers Open at Loop 1604/I-10 Interchange
In San Antonio, two additional flyover ramps opened at the Loop 1604 North Expansion project, connecting eastbound Interstate 10 to both directions of Loop 1604. The openings bring the total to seven flyovers completed in 11 months, with all eight scheduled to be operational by the end of 2026.
When finished, the five-level interchange will feature:
• eight high-speed flyover ramps;
• new roundabouts at ground level;
• added turnarounds and sidewalks;
• expanded main lanes on both I-10 and Loop 1604, including a future HOV lane; and
• collector-distributor roads to help reduce weaving and congestion.
The upgrades aim to improve traffic flow and safety in one of the region's fastest-growing corridors.
TxDOT Wins Federal Transit Grant
On Nov. 20, the Federal Transit Administration announced that TxDOT will receive $36 million in grants for transit.
The funding will be used to buy replacement buses for 26 rural transit agencies and to build a new facility in El Paso. This funding focuses on 26 rural transit districts that collectively serve 193 Texas counties and cover more than 73 percent of the state's land area, encompassing about 197,000 sq. mi.
Meantime, in December, TxDOT reported the following progress.
Prep Work Under Way for Historic I-35 Redesign
TxDOT's work on the I-35 Capital Express Central project — the first major redesign of the corridor since 1974 — is well under way. Crews are reconstructing the MLK bridge, advancing work on the Lady Bird Lake segment and building the critical drainage infrastructure needed to support the lowering of the main lanes between Holly Street and Airport Boulevard.
The project includes 6.5 mi. of massive, 22-ft.-diameter drainage tunnels, access shafts and a pump station to manage stormwater before excavation begins. Two tunnel boring machines are scheduled to arrive from Germany in 2026. Once complete in 2033, the project is expected to significantly improve mobility, safety and flood resilience in Austin.
Safety Projects Continue in Amarillo District
TxDOT's Amarillo District reported steady progress on five major safety and capacity projects, including:
• widening Interstate 27 between Amarillo and Canyon to six lanes;
• improving intersections and turn lanes on State Loop 335;
• upgrading lighting and drainage at Farm-to-Market 1061 and Farm-to-Market 2590; and
• enhancing safety on Business Interstate 40, including shared-use paths and median barriers.
Collectively valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, the projects are aimed at improving safety, supporting growth and reducing crashes across the region.
U.S. 67 Reopening in San Angelo
In San Angelo, drivers received welcome news as repairs on U.S. 67/Houston Harte Expressway neared completion following flood damage caused by historic July rainfall. TxDOT replaced metal pipe culverts — installed in the 1980s — with modern concrete box culverts.
The Loop, closed since late September between Bell Street and North Oakes, is now fully reopen.
Expansion Begins on U.S. 90
December marked a major milestone in San Antonio as TxDOT began construction on the $473 million U.S. 90 Expansion Project in west Bexar County. The project will widen the highway from four to six lanes, add continuous frontage roads, construct a new flyover ramp to Loop 1604 and build multiple turnaround bridges and upgraded intersections.
Phase I, from Loop 410 to Loop 1604, is under way and expected to finish by 2030. Phase II, extending to State Highway 211, is expected to begin in 2027.
FM 1518 Expansion Reaches Milestones
Another major San Antonio-area project — the Farm-to-Market 1518 expansion — continued to move forward in December. Crews completed portions of new lanes, shared-use paths and utility upgrades in Schertz, with bridge widening at Woman Hollering Creek scheduled to finish by year's end.
The $72.78 million project will ultimately reconstruct 5.6 mi. of FM 1518 with wider lanes, a raised median, sidewalks and shared-use paths, improving safety and connectivity through 2028.
(This article is reprinted courtesy of the Texas Department of Transportation.)
