I-69 in TX

[Thegeet]

Bids were opened today for upgrading 6.75 miles of US 281 (I-69C) to freeway with frontage roads north Edinburg.

The plans show 2x2 main lines with a center barrier and continuous frontage roads. Curves are smoothed with new alignments and right-of-way acquisition at the curve points. The winning bid is by a contractor I'm not familiar with, and is surprisingly low.

Unfortunately TxDOT has retired the long-used web pages to report bid results, and the new format is much more difficult to extract for pasting into a page for display. So I may not be posting results regularly in the future.

PROJECT NAME: US 281 HIDALGO (FUTURE I-69)
FROM: 0.273 MI S OF SH 186
TO: 0.023 MI N OF FM 490

Code Select Expand

Txdot Engineer's Estimate     191,485,571.75
IOC COMPANY LLC               164,929,773.20
ANDERSON COLUMBIA CO., INC.   181,608,228.73
POSILLICO CIVIL, INC.         185,605,602.28
PULICE CONSTRUCTION, INC.     208,782,086.48
JAMES CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC 217,743,743.82


LFG! A local construction firm that will take part in a national project! Yey.

[yakra]

Judging by the 10/2024 overhead imagery in Google Earth it looks like the Diboll Bypass is pretty far along. It looks like it would be completed well before December 2025. But I doubt the project is going to be done before Spring 2025.

At some point during 2024, I went to https://drivetexas.org/?ll=-94.7787,31.2094&z=13 and saw a date of 2025-05-22 listed.
Looking at it again, it appears to just be in reference to construction delays & alternating lane closures @ the N end of the bypass. Take from that what you will; doesn't necessarily mean the whole project is done then.

[Thegeet]

Judging by the 10/2024 overhead imagery in Google Earth it looks like the Diboll Bypass is pretty far along. It looks like it would be completed well before December 2025. But I doubt the project is going to be done before Spring 2025.

At some point during 2024, I went to https://drivetexas.org/?ll=-94.7787,31.2094&z=13 and saw a date of 2025-05-22 listed.
Looking at it again, it appears to just be in reference to construction delays & alternating lane closures @ the N end of the bypass. Take from that what you will; doesn't necessarily mean the whole project is done then.

Even then, I predict just striping and final touches to be performed. At worst, one lane would be closed in each direction.

[TheBox]

https://www.kristv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/san-patricio-county/odem/txdot-invites-public-to-i-69-meeting-in-odem

[05danper42842]

https://www.kristv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/san-patricio-county/odem/txdot-invites-public-to-i-69-meeting-in-odem

quite a long time for construction  to start in 2032s. By that time I will forget about this project.

[MaxConcrete]

https://www.kristv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/san-patricio-county/odem/txdot-invites-public-to-i-69-meeting-in-odem

The article is very wrong. According to the presentation at the public meeting, a recommended alignment has been selected and it is none of the options shown in the map in the article. This fact sheet also shows the recommended alignment.

North of Odem, the recommended alignment veers well east of the railroad. It is somewhat longer that the original option A, which ran parallel to the railroad tracks slightly east. (see presentation). I estimate the recommended alignment to be 8.06 miles, compared to 6.92 miles for the original alignment A. Apparently the route was adjusted to avoid the cotton facilities shown in green in this map.

I always prefer the most efficient and direct route, since major highways will likely exist hundreds of years into the future. Every inefficiency gets multiplied by every vehicle, from now to (practically) forever. The only upside to the recommended alignment is that the north section (new alignment) has smooth curves, and south of Odem the alignment follows the existing US 77.

[Bobby5280]

It still sucks they're forecast to not start construction until 2032 -7 years from now. Hopefully a lot of other I-69 projects will be completed in the meantime.

[vdeane]

Meanwhile, I can't help but wonder if the coming tariffs will affect I-69.  If US/Mexico trade is blown up long-term, the need to build interstates around the Rio Grande could evaporate.

[Bobby5280]

Apparently the tariffs are officially now in effect: 25% on goods from Mexico and Canada, an additional 10% on goods from China. Those fees could go much higher due to a retaliatory clause. I don't expect the governments of Mexico and Canada to just sit back and take being bullied; it's a sure thing they'll enact retaliatory tariffs of their own.

An ensuing trade war will have broad effects on the economy very quickly. It will be interesting to see how the Dow Jones and Nasdaq perform on Monday. If people were pissed off about grocery prices before, just wait until they see the new prices as fresh imported produce and meat arrives on store shelves. If the trade war goes on for months or longer it will result in a lot of lost American jobs. 70% of the economy is driven by consumer spending. Regular working class people are already cash-strapped. Price shocks will just cause demand for any discretionary purchases to crater.

Highway projects like I-69 are built over multiple decades of time. Politics and policy can go through many swings through those years. But there are things happening that could lessen the need of new superhighways going to the Mexican border.

More industrial development activity is taking place in Mexico. Chinese companies are building factories in Mexico. American companies have already had a big footprint there. What those business may do is build product in Mexico to export elsewhere than the US.

The new administration's obsession with blocking immigration (not just the illegal kind) could end up working. The messaging is clearly, "immigrants aren't welcome here." We could see millions of people "self deport." Where would that leave all the industries in the US who have been very dependent on migrant labor? I think a lot of those businesses would simply shut down. For one thing, we would end up having to import nearly all our meat and any produce that can't be harvested using machines. And all that product would be subject to tariffs. If a mass exodus of immigrants took place it might be very difficult to reverse.

[vdeane]

Apparently the tariffs are officially now in effect: 25% on goods from Mexico and Canada, an additional 10% on goods from China. Those fees could go much higher due to a retaliatory clause. I don't expect the governments of Mexico and Canada to just sit back and take being bullied; it's a sure thing they'll enact retaliatory tariffs of their own.

An ensuing trade war will have broad effects on the economy very quickly. It will be interesting to see how the Dow Jones and Nasdaq perform on Monday. If people were pissed off about grocery prices before, just wait until they see the new prices as fresh imported produce and meat arrives on store shelves. If the trade war goes on for months or longer it will result in a lot of lost American jobs. 70% of the economy is driven by consumer spending. Regular working class people are already cash-strapped. Price shocks will just cause demand for any discretionary purchases to crater.

Highway projects like I-69 are built over multiple decades of time. Politics and policy can go through many swings through those years. But there are things happening that could lessen the need of new superhighways going to the Mexican border.

More industrial development activity is taking place in Mexico. Chinese companies are building factories in Mexico. American companies have already had a big footprint there. What those business may do is build product in Mexico to export elsewhere than the US.

The new administration's obsession with blocking immigration (not just the illegal kind) could end up working. The messaging is clearly, "immigrants aren't welcome here." We could see millions of people "self deport." Where would that leave all the industries in the US who have been very dependent on migrant labor? I think a lot of those businesses would simply shut down. For one thing, we would end up having to import nearly all our meat and any produce that can't be harvested using machines. And all that product would be subject to tariffs. If a mass exodus of immigrants took place it might be very difficult to reverse.

Honestly, high prices might be the least of our worries.  I can't help but wonder if we'll see shortages so bad that it will be March 2020 all over again, possibly worse.

I also expect this to cause permanent damage to our relationship with the rest of the world.

[splashflash]

Nacogdoches Relief Route Completion Delayed to 2026

https://lufkindailynews.com/news/dailysentinel/loop-us-59-project-still-nearly-2-years-from-finish-line/article_c9efbd8c-935e-5d10-a7f1-b4d6b196113e.html

The highway construction project at Nacogdoches' South Loop 224 and U.S. Highway 59 is a little less than two years away from completion, according to the latest update from the Texas Department of Transportation.

When ground was broken in October 2019, the $86.9 million intersection reconfiguration was expected to take four years, with an original completion date in 2023. Weather delays and supply and labor shortages created by the COVID-19 pandemic pushed that date to 2025, and completion was again reset last year to 2026.

As 2025 begins, the finish line is still fall of 2026, TxDOT Lufkin District public information officer Rhonda Oaks said.

[splashflash]

https://www.kgns.tv/2025/02/11/txdot-shares-ongoing-projects/

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Construction is underway by Loop 20 as part of expansions and new projects by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

Wherever you look it seems like major roadways in Webb County are getting a makeover. Currently, over $800 million is funding active projects in Webb County under TxDOT.

In a recent committee meeting, TxDOT shared that they are targeting high-traffic regions. One of their major projects is the expansion of U.S. 59 into a freeway facility.

TxDOT is already a year into the 5 year-long project. It currently looks like the completion is expected towards the end of 2029.

The U.S. 59 expansion is a $340 million development and is meant to improve traffic flow in the north and south areas of Laredo.

[The Ghostbuster]

Google Maps show the Interstate 69W designation continuing to the International Blvd. interchange, even though east of Interstate 35 it is only signposted as US 59. Hopefully, once more of the Bob Bullock Loop receives upgrades, the 69W designation can be extended further.

[wxfree]

TxDOT released plans today for construction of a short freeway stretch cutting off grade crossings of three roads on US 77 in Kenedy County.  This is detached from other freeway stretches.  Looking at the area, I found that Google Maps is calling the road I-69E.  Near the Armstrong post office and reference marker 734, freeway lanes will be built between the existing roads, which will become frontage roads.  There will be two interchanges and a small road in between will be broken.  Frontage roads will be one-way.  Both exits will be labeled Armstrong Gate John Armstrong Road.  The frontage roads will have speed limits of 55.  The total length is about 2 miles.

[splashflash]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OGihWxpG36w

Latest drone video just south of Nacogdoches.

[Thegeet]

In other news, Google Maps FINALLY updated the El Campo satellite imagery. LONG OVERDUE.

[sprjus4]

TxDOT released plans today for construction of a short freeway stretch cutting off grade crossings of three roads on US 77 in Kenedy County.  This is detached from other freeway stretches.  Looking at the area, I found that Google Maps is calling the road I-69E.  Near the Armstrong post office and reference marker 734, freeway lanes will be built between the existing roads, which will become frontage roads.  There will be two interchanges and a small road in between will be broken.  Frontage roads will be one-way.  Both exits will be labeled Armstrong Gate John Armstrong Road.  The frontage roads will have speed limits of 55.  The total length is about 2 miles.

Do you have a URL / screenshots of such plans?

[wxfree]

TxDOT released plans today for construction of a short freeway stretch cutting off grade crossings of three roads on US 77 in Kenedy County.  This is detached from other freeway stretches.  Looking at the area, I found that Google Maps is calling the road I-69E.  Near the Armstrong post office and reference marker 734, freeway lanes will be built between the existing roads, which will become frontage roads.  There will be two interchanges and a small road in between will be broken.  Frontage roads will be one-way.  Both exits will be labeled Armstrong Gate John Armstrong Road.  The frontage roads will have speed limits of 55.  The total length is about 2 miles.

Do you have a URL / screenshots of such plans?

That's not as easy as it once was.  The web site now requires signing in to access these files.  You don't actually need a password or anything, you just push the button acknowledging the license agreement.

First go here.  Push the buttons.  Depending on the browser, it might be one or two.  That gets you into the FTP server.  You can look around for whatever you want, but I put a direct link to the file at the bottom.  It's 234 MB.  Extreme detail is available, but for a general overview of what the finished road will look like, I go to the signing layout.  It shows signs, paint, lanes, intersecting roads, and other driving-level detail.  That's on Sheet 453.  Sheet numbers are written on each page, 453 is on PDF file page 472.

https://ftp.txdot.gov/plans/State-Let-Construction/2025/04%20April/04%20Plans/Kenedy%200327-03-050.pdf

[wxfree]

TxDOT released plans today for construction of a short freeway stretch cutting off grade crossings of three roads on US 77 in Kenedy County.  This is detached from other freeway stretches.  Looking at the area, I found that Google Maps is calling the road I-69E.  Near the Armstrong post office and reference marker 734, freeway lanes will be built between the existing roads, which will become frontage roads.  There will be two interchanges and a small road in between will be broken.  Frontage roads will be one-way.  Both exits will be labeled Armstrong Gate John Armstrong Road.  The frontage roads will have speed limits of 55.  The total length is about 2 miles.

Looking at the plans again, I would describe it as one interchange.  Either northbound or southbound, at the beginning of the freeway section there's an exit, a road with an underpass, a side road that breaks at the frontage road, another road with an underpass, and then the frontage road ends at an entrance ramp where the freeway lanes end and move back to the existing road.  That's a single multi-intersection interchange.

[TheBox]

In other news, Google Maps FINALLY updated the El Campo satellite imagery. LONG OVERDUE.

Speaking of updated satellite imagery, I'm to let you know that they're breaking ground in Wharton, which only they're extending the overhaul + frontage roads further down to Wharton in the near future (unsurprisingly?

In other words, construction of the new Colorado River bridge is probably gonna take forever tho

[CoreySamson]

It appears that I-69 signage now extends south to TX Spur 10 based on this, which was put up in the past year:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MVB7vmNHQdziFofA9
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WQ8h78nxDKeiGEEQ7