Sepulveda gives update on Port of Brownsville interstate project

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Cameron County Executive Director Pete Sepulveda has given an update on the State Highway 550 Gap 2 project.

This is the project that will see an interstate connect to the Port of Brownsville. Currently, it is the only deepwater port in the nation that does not have an interstate connection.

Sepulveda spoke about the project when he gave an in-depth presentation on CCRMA’s current workload at a recent South Texas Manufacturers Association meeting. It was held at the Brownsville Events Center.

“So the State Highway 550 GAP 2 project, this is also Interstate 169, that begins in Olmito at the intersection of I-69E, which is US 77/83, and then goes out towards the Port of Brownsville,” Sepulveda said.

“The Port of Brownsville is the only deepwater port that does not have interstate connectivity right now. So they’re a little bit behind the ball when it comes to enticing industries because of a lack of an interstate corridor. So we’re working on that.”

State Highway 550 Gap 2 project. (Slide credit: CCRMA)

Sepulveda continued: “This project will will give them direct connectivity to an interstate corridor. The problem that we have, and with almost every single project now, if you if you go back pre-COVID, most of our projects were fully funded. Since then, prices have have gone really crazy, and most of our projects now have a funding gap that we’re trying to close. But this is the last gap that remains, so that the port can have direct connectivity to an interstate corridor.”

Sepulveda said the State Highway 550 Gap 2 is a $40 million project, with CCRMA having a financial gap of $6 or $7 million to fill. 

“It is going to be ready to go to construction, hopefully, in about another 12 to 18, months. We’ve got environmental clearance, we’ve got schematic done, we’ve got the right of way and utilities relocated. The design is about 95% complete.”

Sepulveda said the project has taken a little bit longer than expect because the route goes over the rail line that links the Port of Brownsville to the Olmito switch yard. 

“So because of that, Union Pacific got in the middle of it, and we’ve got to get their approval. So, that has taken a lot longer than what we anticipated. But not much we can do. They need to give their approval,” Sepulveda said.

“But we’re at the tail end. We’re about 95% complete. We’re working on trying to close that funding gap, and then we can go to construction.”

State Highway 55o Gap 2 project. (Slide credit: CCRMA)

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