Texas announced a $138 billion, 10-year Unified Transportation Program that directs about $95 billion to statewide projects and $43 billion to development and maintenance. The plan includes a $182.5 million Phase 2 overhaul of Montana Avenue in East El Paso, which has been allocated $100.49 million through the UTP (with local officials citing roughly $85 million as part of the state package). The UTP funds highways and multimodal projects and prioritizes congestion relief on Texas' busiest corridors.
Texas Unveils $138B, 10-Year Transportation Plan; Major Boost for Montana Avenue Phase 2
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Texas will invest $138 billion over the next decade through its 2027 Unified Transportation Program (UTP), a statewide roadmap that prioritizes safety, congestion relief and multimodal connections. The plan includes a substantial upgrade to Montana Avenue, one of El Paso's busiest east-side corridors.
What the Plan Funds
The UTP allocates approximately $95 billion for specific statewide projects over the next 10 years and about $43 billion for development and routine maintenance, totaling roughly $138 billion. Officials say the funding is intended to improve safety, reduce congestion, and support the efficient movement of people and goods in one of the nation’s fastest-growing states.
Montana Avenue Phase 2
Locally, the plan highlights Phase 2 of the long-running Montana Avenue reconstruction in far East El Paso. TxDOT reports the Phase 2 work is estimated at $182.5 million and that the project received $100.49 million through the UTP. State Sen. Cesar Blanco (D-El Paso) told local media that the allocation for the project includes about $85 million, a slightly different figure noted by local sources.
The Phase 2 scope calls for adding expressway main lanes and frontage roads between Tierra Este Road and FM 659 (Zaragoza Road). El Paso District Engineer Tomas Treviño said the project will continue transforming Montana Avenue into "a safer, more efficient transportation corridor" for drivers, workers and businesses that rely on it daily.
Beyond Highways: Multimodal Investments
TxDOT emphasized that the UTP is not limited to highways. The program also funds public transit, maritime and port projects, aviation, rail and freight improvements, international trade-related infrastructure, and bicycle and pedestrian connectivity enhancements.
Congestion Relief And Clear Lanes
Congestion relief is a central priority. Many projects in the 2027 UTP target roadway segments listed among Texas' 100 Most Congested Roadways. Funding for the Texas Clear Lanes initiative is set to increase as part of a broader $90.6 billion investment covering non-tolled projects completed, under construction or planned since 2015.
"Texas' booming economy and growing population demand a transportation system that keeps people and products moving safely and efficiently," Gov. Greg Abbott said in the release announcing the UTP.
Acting Chair Alvin New noted the plan was developed with input from transportation partners and the public, and that TxDOT adopted the UTP after an extended public-comment process.
Local Reaction And Broader Context
El Paso leaders welcomed the Montana Avenue allocation as momentum toward completing long-pursued improvements. Senator Blanco called the funding "a major win for El Paso," saying it will improve mobility, address congestion, and provide a safer, more reliable connection for families, workers and businesses that depend on the corridor.
Seen alongside major international projects — such as Morocco's roughly $10 billion high-speed rail initiative and a new bullet train station near Mumbai — Texas' plan underscores how public investment shapes regional mobility, safety and economic growth in different ways depending on local priorities.
What to watch next: project timelines and local design/environmental reviews for Montana Avenue Phase 2, and how Texas prioritizes funding for the state's most congested corridors in the coming years.
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