Gov. Greg Abbott has announced a new 10-year transportation plan projecting $138 billion in investments across Texas, with funding aimed at road safety, congestion, maintenance and infrastructure supporting the state’s growing economy.
The Texas Transportation Commission approved the 2027 Unified Transportation Program, or UTP, in August. The plan includes $95 billion in projected state and federal funding for transportation projects over the next decade, along with another $43 billion for project development and routine maintenance.
“Texas’ booming economy and growing population demand a transportation system that keeps people and products moving safely and efficiently,” Abbott said. “This $138 billion investment will strengthen our roadways, reduce congestion, improve safety, and support growing communities across Texas.”
The UTP serves as TxDOT’s statewide roadmap for developing transportation projects. While highways make up a significant portion of the program, the plan also covers public transportation, aviation, maritime projects, rail, freight, international trade and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
The program places an emphasis on relieving congestion, including projects involving roadway segments on Texas’ list of 100 Most Congested Roadways. Funding for Texas Clear Lanes, the state’s congestion-relief initiative, is also set to increase.
According to the governor’s office, completed, ongoing and planned non-tolled Texas Clear Lanes projects represent a total investment of $90.6 billion since the initiative began in 2015.
The new UTP also calls for investments in highway safety, roadway preservation and rural corridors, as well as transportation infrastructure serving major economic centers and supply chains.
“This 10-year plan reflects the scale and complexity of meeting Texas’ transportation needs in one of the fastest-growing states in the nation,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said.
Williams said the program is focused on improving safety, maintaining the existing transportation system and ensuring the reliable movement of people and goods.
Plan does not guarantee projects will be built
Despite the $138 billion figure, inclusion in the UTP does not guarantee an individual project will ultimately reach construction.
TxDOT updates the UTP annually, and the program allows the agency and local transportation organizations to move forward with developing projects based on expected funding.
“Because funding levels may change in the future, the UTP does not serve as a budget or a guarantee that certain projects will be built,” TxDOT states in its program overview.
Projects can be delayed, changed or reprioritized as funding projections, construction costs, environmental requirements and local transportation needs evolve.
The UTP’s primary highway listings also do not represent every TxDOT project. Thousands of additional construction, bridge, maintenance, aviation, rail and other transportation projects are included in the agency’s online Project Tracker.
Transportation program continues to grow
The 2027 program continues a trend of increasingly large transportation plans as Texas deals with population growth, expanding business activity and commercial traffic.
In 2023, Abbott announced a $100 billion UTP designed to address congestion, road maintenance and highway safety. The new plan carries a substantially larger overall projected investment, although direct comparisons between annual UTPs can be affected by changes in revenue projections, construction costs, project schedules and what expenditures are included in the total.
Before approving the 2027 plan, TxDOT opened the draft UTP for public comment from July 3 through Aug. 3. The process included a virtual public hearing and allowed residents to submit comments in multiple languages.
Texas Transportation Commission Acting Chair Alvin New said public and transportation industry input helped shape the program.
“Working closely with our transportation partners and incorporating input from Texans, the UTP lays out a path to advance projects across the state,” New said. “These investments will improve mobility, enhance connectivity, and make our roads safer for everyone.”
