The Texas Department of Transportation said the Texas Transportation Commission awarded roughly $1.1 billion in construction and maintenance contracts, highlighted a record federal rail grant and recognized a rapid flood repair in Uvalde County during its August meeting. The details appeared in an Aug. 27 meeting recap written by Ryan LaFontaine and published in the agency’s newsroom.
The same meeting produced the commission’s adoption of the 2027 Unified Transportation Program, TxDOT’s 10-year project development plan covering fiscal years 2027 through 2036, the recap said.
Commissioners approved the agency’s 2028-29 Legislative Appropriations Request, according to the recap. More than 80 percent of the requested funding is dedicated to project development and delivery, and the department refined its request for additional full-time employees to address critical needs related to emergency response, statewide traffic management and flood mitigation.
The commission also recognized the reopening of the FM 481 bridge over the Nueces River in Uvalde County just 37 days after flooding severely damaged the structure. The southern portion of the bridge collapsed following flooding in July, leaving the crossing impassable, and TxDOT used an emergency contract to expedite repairs and restore the link, the agency said. Commissioner Alex Meade and Acting Chair Alvin New highlighted the work as an example of how the department and its contracting partners can move quickly during emergencies.
TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams announced that the department received more than $755 million in federal funding for 12 rail grade separation projects across Texas — the largest federal grant of any type the agency has received, according to the recap. The projects will eliminate rail crossings, improving safety and reducing conflicts among trains, vehicles and pedestrians while helping reduce congestion and improve the movement of people and goods.
On contracts, the commission awarded 97 highway improvement projects totaling approximately $1 billion and 23 routine maintenance projects totaling approximately $47.9 million, with maintenance bids coming in 17.58 percent below estimates, the agency said.
Commissioner Robert Vaughn highlighted TxDOT’s continued investment in walking and biking infrastructure. During fiscal year 2026, the department invested approximately $244 million in pedestrian infrastructure, delivering nearly 185 miles of pedestrian elements, and approximately $132 million in bicycle infrastructure, providing nearly 150 miles of bicycle elements statewide.
Commissioners closed the meeting by approving the 2027-29 Aviation Capital Improvement Program, which includes 212 projects totaling more than $410 million in proposed investments at general aviation airports across Texas. TxDOT said it supports 258 general aviation airports statewide.