I-69 in TX

[Bobby5280]

South of Riviera the remaining I-69E upgrades would be very easy. The tiny town of Sarita already has a freeway exit. As progress continues it will be interesting to see how TX DOT configures the mini exits for ranch road access.

[Thegeet]

IIRC, the Riviera bypass bid was delayed to 2026 or 2027.

[MaxConcrete]

IIRC, the Riviera bypass bid was delayed to 2026 or 2027.

It's listed on the TxDOT web site for letting in July 2025, estimated cost $178 million.

TxDOT is scheduled to solicit an inspection consultant in December 2024.

So I think July 2025 is very likely.

[jgb191]

The rural section between Kingsville (south of US-77 Business) and Riveria is ramping up as well... Construction on a northbound frontage road is well underway, and almost complete in a lot of sections. In the median, grading is underway for a new roadway (presumably new southbound main lanes, while converting the existing southbound lanes to a frontage road) and some small bridges (no overpasses yet) have been built. I expect there to at least be one or two interchanges in this section, and another year or two of construction before this section is finished.

Haven't been down that way in several years.  Are they upgrading right through Ricardo, or bypassing around it?

[sprjus4]

Haven't been down that way in several years.  Are they upgrading right through Ricardo, or bypassing around it?

Right through. You can see on Google Maps satellite imagery, they are flanking the northbound frontage road right alongside the existing northbound lanes.

In the existing median between the northbound and southbound lanes, it appears that's where the new southbound main lanes are being built, and the existing southbound lanes will presumably become a southbound frontage road.

They haven't started any major overpass construction yet, so it's hard to see where any interchange or crossover locations will exist between Kingsville and Riveria, but I imagine one will be built at Ricardo.

[MaxConcrete]

Bids were opened this week for two jobs on US 77 (I-69E) in Kenedy county, between Corpus and Harlingen.

The plans show a few overpasses and a few interstate-quality exit/entrance to side roads (without an overpass). There is also a fresh asphalt overlay for all existing pavement.

First job
County:    KENEDY    Let Date:    08/02/24
Type:    INTERSTATE DESIGNATION    Seq No:    3201
Time:    685 WORKING DAYS    Project ID:    F 2B24(314)
Highway:    US 77    Contract #:    08243201
Length:    4.870    CCSJ:    0327-04-039
Limits:   
From:    6.33 MILES NORTH OF NORIAS RD    Check:    $100,000
To:    1.46 MILES NORTH OF NORIAS RD    Misc Cost:   
Estimate    $106,176,094.30    % Over/Under    Company
Bidder 1    $93,082,026.74    -12.33%    FOREMOST PAVING, INC.
Bidder 2    $95,073,599.93    -10.46%    POSILLICO CIVIL, INC.
Bidder 3    $138,908,169.00    +30.83%    PULICE CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Bids for second job
County:    KENEDY    Let Date:    08/01/24
Type:    INTERSTATE DESIGNATION    Seq No:    3002
Time:    453 WORKING DAYS    Project ID:    F 2B24(398)
Highway:    US 77    Contract #:    08243002
Length:    3.190    CCSJ:    0327-04-037
Limits:   
From:    9.6 MILES NORTH OF NORIAS RD    Check:    $100,000
To:    NORIAS RD.    Misc Cost:   
Estimate    $40,574,001.21    % Over/Under    Company
Bidder 1    $33,508,385.70    -17.41%    FOREMOST PAVING, INC.
Bidder 2    $39,064,958.98    -3.72%    IOC COMPANY LLC
Bidder 3    $41,963,041.56    +3.42%    POSILLICO CIVIL, INC.
Bidder 4    $43,616,609.62    +7.50%    ANDERSON COLUMBIA CO., INC.
Bidder 5    $66,797,604.40    +64.63%    PULICE CONSTRUCTION, INC.

[splashflash]

New Nacogdoches drone video

https://youtu.be/FLdAxS40ZKQ

[TheBox]

New Nacogdoches drone video

https://youtu.be/FLdAxS40ZKQ

It is taking forever now

It is never going to be done in early 2025 at this rate

[Phudman]

New Nacogdoches drone video

https://youtu.be/FLdAxS40ZKQ

It is taking forever now

It is never going to be done in early 2025 at this rate

The official estimate is now late 2026

[GreenLanternCorps]

Some updates on the route south of I-37, after driving through recently...

Construction is fully complete between Kingsville and I-37, including a ramp project in Bishop, and the route is fully up to interstate standards. All traffic is using the main lanes, including both directions on the Driscoll bypass, and no cones remain that I could tell. The only thing stopping the posting of I-69E to Kingsville would be federal approval. The speed limit is posted at 70 mph throughout (except the brief 60 mph zone in Robstown), which I imagine will be bumped to 75 mph in the near future, especially since the previous non-limited-access portions north and south of Driscoll were 75 mph pre-construction.

The speed limit remains at 65 mph through the Kingsville area on the pre-existing freeway there, which appears to meet interstate standards.

South of Kingsville (well, along the southern non-freeway portion of the US-77 bypass of the city), the project to upgrade the road to a freeway with frontage roads & overpasses between FM-1356 and US-77 Business south of the city is almost complete. The southbound main lanes were both open and traffic was using them - with a temporary 55 mph speed limit. Northbound looked virtually complete but traffic was still using the frontage roads - with a temporary 45 mph speed limit.

The rural section between Kingsville (south of US-77 Business) and Riveria is ramping up as well... Construction on a northbound frontage road is well underway, and almost complete in a lot of sections. In the median, grading is underway for a new roadway (presumably new southbound main lanes, while converting the existing southbound lanes to a frontage road) and some small bridges (no overpasses yet) have been built. I expect there to at least be one or two interchanges in this section, and another year or two of construction before this section is finished.

From what I recall, I believe construction on a bypass of Riveria will begin in the next year or two.

Recap:

• I-37 to Kingsville (FM 1356): Fully complete
• Southern end of Kingsville (FM 1356 to US-77 Business): Almost Complete
• Kingsville (US-77 Business) to Riveria: Under construction
• Riveria Bypass: Coming soon

Which begs the question, when are they going to sign I-69E down to Kingsville...

[Chris]

New Nacogdoches drone video

https://youtu.be/FLdAxS40ZKQ

The project appears to have advanced only marginally in the past two years.

Google Earth has satellite images from June 28, 2022.


June 2022


August 2024



June 2022


August 2024

[abqtraveler]

Some updates on the route south of I-37, after driving through recently...

Construction is fully complete between Kingsville and I-37, including a ramp project in Bishop, and the route is fully up to interstate standards. All traffic is using the main lanes, including both directions on the Driscoll bypass, and no cones remain that I could tell. The only thing stopping the posting of I-69E to Kingsville would be federal approval. The speed limit is posted at 70 mph throughout (except the brief 60 mph zone in Robstown), which I imagine will be bumped to 75 mph in the near future, especially since the previous non-limited-access portions north and south of Driscoll were 75 mph pre-construction.

The speed limit remains at 65 mph through the Kingsville area on the pre-existing freeway there, which appears to meet interstate standards.

South of Kingsville (well, along the southern non-freeway portion of the US-77 bypass of the city), the project to upgrade the road to a freeway with frontage roads & overpasses between FM-1356 and US-77 Business south of the city is almost complete. The southbound main lanes were both open and traffic was using them - with a temporary 55 mph speed limit. Northbound looked virtually complete but traffic was still using the frontage roads - with a temporary 45 mph speed limit.

The rural section between Kingsville (south of US-77 Business) and Riveria is ramping up as well... Construction on a northbound frontage road is well underway, and almost complete in a lot of sections. In the median, grading is underway for a new roadway (presumably new southbound main lanes, while converting the existing southbound lanes to a frontage road) and some small bridges (no overpasses yet) have been built. I expect there to at least be one or two interchanges in this section, and another year or two of construction before this section is finished.

From what I recall, I believe construction on a bypass of Riveria will begin in the next year or two.

Recap:

• I-37 to Kingsville (FM 1356): Fully complete
• Southern end of Kingsville (FM 1356 to US-77 Business): Almost Complete
• Kingsville (US-77 Business) to Riveria: Under construction
• Riveria Bypass: Coming soon

Which begs the question, when are they going to sign I-69E down to Kingsville...

Whenever TxDOT gets the paperwork back from the FHWA and AASHTO authorizing them to do so.

[TheBox]

So apparently there's now I-69E signage on Google Maps between Raymondville and not only I-37 but all the way to Victoria.
EDIT: everywhere but Bishop nor Kingsville ironically enough

Although it was a bit overdone by Google or whoever submitted the edit contribution.

Even through Rufegio, Odem, and Rivera when none of them have a bypass yet at this point.

[Thegeet]

So apparently there's now I-69E signage on Google Maps between Raymondville and not only I-37 but all the way to Victoria.
EDIT: everywhere but Bishop nor Kingsville ironically enough

Although it was a bit overdone by Google or whoever submitted the edit contribution.

Even through Rufegio, Odem, and Rivera when none of them have a bypass yet at this point.

That would be a dream come true if it were actually signed! LOL

[CtrlAltDel]

The project appears to have advanced only marginally in the past two years.

Is there a reason the state or contractor has given for this?

[Thegeet]

The project appears to have advanced only marginally in the past two years.

Is there a reason the state or contractor has given for this?

Considering some other projects that got delayed, probably inflation costs and supply chain issues.

[jgb191]

So apparently there's now I-69E signage on Google Maps between Raymondville and not only I-37 but all the way to Victoria.
EDIT: everywhere but Bishop nor Kingsville ironically enough

Although it was a bit overdone by Google or whoever submitted the edit contribution.

Even through Rufegio, Odem, and Rivera when none of them have a bypass yet at this point.

Seems like Google jumped the gun by several years.  But physical signs have long been posted saying "Future I-69 Corridor" from Houston down to Brownsville.

[J N Winkler]

The project appears to have advanced only marginally in the past two years.

Is there a reason the state or contractor has given for this?

Given the recent volume of large construction contracts and the proportion thereof whose bids have come in over the engineer's estimate, I suspect deliberately lax enforcement of prosecution-and-progress clauses.

The US 59 (presumed future I-69:  the signing plans do not actually have I-69 shields, even with "future" designations) Nacogdoches flyover project Chris is talking about was advertised for letting in or around August 2019 under CCSJ 0176-01-081, so it would seem to have taken close to three years to reach the point at which construction more or less stalled in 2022.  But this is still a couple of years less time than it took to finish the I-30/SH 360 stack in Arlington.

[TheBox]

Plans for I-69 (US-59 + US-259) north of Nacogdoches unveiled, currently in the design phase

Stated to start construction in Spring 2029, 3 years after the W.I.P. work south of Nacogdoches opens in late 2026

https://www.ktre.com/2024/09/06/txdot-moving-forward-with-future-i-69-project-nacogdoches/?outputType=amp

[Anthony_JK]

TXDOT webpage for that Nacogdoches public meeting (along with schematics) is here:

https://www.txdot.gov/projects/hearings-meetings/lufkin/2024/us59us-259-north-nacogdoches-090524.html 

[TheBox]

Is it just me or does the two new overpasses south of Kingsville looks complete, from what it looks like on Google Maps

[sprjus4]

^^^

Looks like they updated the imagery in July 2024 according to Google Earth... this must've been after my drive through, seeing that northbound traffic between Riveria and Kingsville is now appearing to use the new northbound frontage road.

Good progress to see from aerial.

South of Kingsville (well, along the southern non-freeway portion of the US-77 bypass of the city), the project to upgrade the road to a freeway with frontage roads & overpasses between FM-1356 and US-77 Business south of the city is almost complete. The southbound main lanes were both open and traffic was using them - with a temporary 55 mph speed limit. Northbound looked virtually complete but traffic was still using the frontage roads - with a temporary 45 mph speed limit.

The rural section between Kingsville (south of US-77 Business) and Riveria is ramping up as well... Construction on a northbound frontage road is well underway, and almost complete in a lot of sections. In the median, grading is underway for a new roadway (presumably new southbound main lanes, while converting the existing southbound lanes to a frontage road) and some small bridges (no overpasses yet) have been built. I expect there to at least be one or two interchanges in this section, and another year or two of construction before this section is finished.

From what I recall, I believe construction on a bypass of Riveria will begin in the next year or two.

Recap:

• I-37 to Kingsville (FM 1356): Fully complete
• Southern end of Kingsville (FM 1356 to US-77 Business): Almost Complete
• Kingsville (US-77 Business) to Riveria: Under construction
• Riveria Bypass: Coming soon

[Thegeet]

^^^

Looks like they updated the imagery in July 2024 according to Google Earth... this must've been after my drive through, seeing that northbound traffic between Riveria and Kingsville is now appearing to use the new northbound frontage road.

Good progress to see from aerial.

South of Kingsville (well, along the southern non-freeway portion of the US-77 bypass of the city), the project to upgrade the road to a freeway with frontage roads & overpasses between FM-1356 and US-77 Business south of the city is almost complete. The southbound main lanes were both open and traffic was using them - with a temporary 55 mph speed limit. Northbound looked virtually complete but traffic was still using the frontage roads - with a temporary 45 mph speed limit.

The rural section between Kingsville (south of US-77 Business) and Riveria is ramping up as well... Construction on a northbound frontage road is well underway, and almost complete in a lot of sections. In the median, grading is underway for a new roadway (presumably new southbound main lanes, while converting the existing southbound lanes to a frontage road) and some small bridges (no overpasses yet) have been built. I expect there to at least be one or two interchanges in this section, and another year or two of construction before this section is finished.

From what I recall, I believe construction on a bypass of Riveria will begin in the next year or two.

Recap:

• I-37 to Kingsville (FM 1356): Fully complete
• Southern end of Kingsville (FM 1356 to US-77 Business): Almost Complete
• Kingsville (US-77 Business) to Riveria: Under construction
• Riveria Bypass: Coming soon

And yet, they haven't updated it for El Campo...

[Henry]

It's most likely that Mile 0 will be placed at the future I-69E/I-69W split in Victoria (where US 59 and US 77 meet), based off the current exits and mileposts in the Houston area. That being said,  does anyone happen to know the timeline for designation approval south of exit 94 in Rosenberg and north of exit 167 near the Montgomery-Liberty county line?

[TheBox]

It's most likely that Mile 0 will be placed at the future I-69E/I-69W split in Victoria (where US 59 and US 77 meet), based off the current exits and mileposts in the Houston area. That being said,  does anyone happen to know the timeline for designation approval south of exit 94 in Rosenberg and north of exit 167 near the Montgomery-Liberty county line?

They might wanna rebuild/overhaul the Cleveland bypass first.
Whiling it is interstate standards (at the time I guess) it is the oldest of the bypasses north of Houston and it shows.
Sure there's a shoulder lane on the right side of the road but not so much on the left side of it, if I'm not mistaken.

Plus it kinda feels like a whiplash compared to the Shepherd overpass and bypass north of it and everything else south of it.

And as for south of Rosenberg, whiling they could do it right now, we'll probably have to wait until their work with Hungerford and Wharton are done with.