Texas is set to invest $138 billion over the next decade in its transportation network, a plan that includes a major upgrade for Montana Avenue, one of El Paso's busiest corridors.
As KTSM reported, among the projects turning heads locally is Phase 2 of the long-running Montana Avenue overhaul in far East El Paso, a route officials say is essential for drivers, workers, and businesses.
Here's what to know
The Texas Transportation Commission approved the 2027 Unified Transportation Program during its August meeting, and Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Transportation later unveiled it as part of the state's broader investment plan.
In a press release, officials revealed the program maps out $95 billion in statewide projects over the next decade, plus another $43 billion for development and routine maintenance. State officials said the funding is aimed at improving safety, reducing congestion, and supporting the movement of people and goods in one of the nation's fastest-growing states.
The Montana Avenue Phase 2 work is estimated to cost $182.5 million and received $100.49 million through the UTP, El Paso District Engineer Tomas Treviño said, while State Sen. Cesar Blanco, D-El Paso, told KTSM that the total includes $85 million for the project.
According to the station, the project would add expressway main lanes and frontage roads from Tierra Este Road to FM 659, also known as Zaragoza Road. Treviño said the work would continue transforming Montana Avenue into "a safer, more efficient transportation corridor."
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More background
TxDOT's UTP is not limited to highways, the press release noted. It also includes public transportation, maritime, aviation, rail, freight, international trade, and bicycle and pedestrian connectivity.
Congestion relief is another major focus. Many projects in the 2027 UTP involve roadway segments on Texas' 100 Most Congested Roadways list, and funding for Texas Clear Lanes work will increase as part of a $90.6 billion investment covering completed, under-construction, and planned non-tolled projects since 2015.
What's being done?
State officials described the new plan as a response to Texas' rapid growth.
"Texas' booming economy and growing population demand a transportation system that keeps people and products moving safely and efficiently," Abbott declared in the release.
Texas Transportation Commission Acting Chair Alvin New said the plan was shaped with transportation partners and input from Texans. TxDOT also said the commission adopted the UTP after an extended process that gave the public a chance to comment on the projects listed in the document.
In El Paso, KTSM reported leaders said the Montana Avenue allocation adds momentum to work already in progress. Blanco told the station the investment puts the region in a stronger position to complete the next phase of a project that local leaders and residents have been advancing for years.
"This funding is a major win for El Paso and for everyone who has worked for years to move the Montana Avenue project forward," Blanco told KTSM. "This project will improve mobility, help address congestion, and provide a safer, more reliable connection for the families, workers, and businesses that rely on this corridor every day."
Where can I learn more?
Texas' transportation push comes at a time when major infrastructure projects are drawing attention well beyond El Paso. The stories below are examples of another type of transportation expansion: major rail investments overseas.
• Morocco moved ahead with a $10 billion high-speed rail project aimed at faster regional travel.
• In Thane, officials advanced a new bullet train station to reshape travel near Mumbai.
Seen alongside Montana Avenue, these stories show how public investment can shape mobility, safety, and regional growth in very different ways. They also reflect how reactions to big infrastructure decisions often depend on local needs and priorities.
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