Gov. Abbott unveiled a $146 billion 10-year Texas transportation plan that targets the state’s most congested highways, including the West Loop and Eastex Freeway.
HOUSTON — Gov. Greg Abbott has unveiled a massive new 10-year transportation plan worth more than $146 billion, and some of the biggest benefits could be coming to Houston drivers stuck in daily gridlock.
The plan, crafted by the Texas Department of Transportation, is designed to ease congestion, improve safety, and keep pace with Texas’ rapid population and economic growth.
“This more than $146 billion investment in our roadways will help Texas meet the critical needs of our growing state,” Abbott said, noting that strong infrastructure is key to keeping “Texans moving” and the economy thriving.
Houston at the center of congestion
According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s 100 Most Congested Roadways in Texas report, two of the state’s top five traffic trouble spots are in Houston.
- West Loop Freeway (I-610) between I-10 and U.S. 59/I-69 is ranked the No. 1 most congested roadway in Texas, costing drivers an estimated $125 million in lost time and fuel each year.
- Eastex Freeway (I-69/U.S. 59) between SH 288 and I-10 comes in at No. 5 statewide, with annual congestion costs topping $70 million.
Both corridors are notorious choke points for commuters, freight haulers, and anyone navigating the heart of Houston’s highway network.
Billions earmarked for relief
The transportation plan, known as the Unified Transportation Program, includes $101.6 billion over the next decade for roadway projects across Texas, along with nearly $45 billion for maintenance and development. Many of the projects specifically target stretches identified in the TTI congestion rankings.
TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said the UTP was built with input from local officials and the public, emphasizing that it “will enhance safety, improve mobility, and support our growth over the next 10 years.”
Texas Clear Lanes, the state’s congestion relief initiative, is also getting a funding boost of nearly $2 billion, adding to an $84 billion total investment in completed, under-construction, and planned non-tolled projects since 2015.
Why it matters for Houston
For Houston drivers, these investments could mean fewer wasted hours in traffic and smoother commutes on some of the nation’s busiest highways. In 2023 alone, Texans lost over 505 million hours to traffic delays, costing an estimated $13.4 billion statewide.
With two of the top five worst bottlenecks in Houston and several more local freeways appearing in the top 20, TxDOT’s plan aims to bring long-awaited relief.
Acting Texas Transportation Commissioner Alvin New said the investment will “provide lasting benefits for all Texans, focusing on saving lives and providing congestion relief.”
Looking ahead
The Texas Transportation Commission is expected to formally adopt the 2026 UTP this week. Once approved, the plan will guide which projects move forward, including major work on Houston’s busiest corridors.
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