TxDOT wants public input on I-69 Connector project

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COMBES, Texas – The Texas Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on plans to develop a new 25-mile east-west corridor that would connect I-69 Central in Edinburg with I-69 East, north of Harlingen.

Environmental clearance on the project is expected in 2027 with construction beginning at the earliest in 2028 or 2029.

A virtual public meeting takes place on Jan. 20. Two in-person public scoping meetings are also slated. One in Edinburg and the other in Santa Rosa.

The one in Edinburg takes place at the J. Economedes High School Cafeteria, 1414 N. Alamo Road, Edinburg on Jan. 21, between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 pm. The one in Santa Rosa takes place in the Santa Rosa High School Cafeteria/Fine Arts building, 102 Jesus R. Cruz, Santa Rosa, on Jan. 23, between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Pedro “Pete” Alvarez, TxDOT’s Pharr District engineer, said there are a range of alternative routes for the I-69 Connector. He said TxDOT is seeking input from the public to select the best option and to also voice any concerns TxDOT should consider.

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Alvarez said there are a number of benefits, pointing out that I-69 Connector would provide Cameron and Willacy counties another hurricane evacuation route and provide another east-west corridor to lessen congestion on Interstate 2 (I-2). According to Alvarez, average daily traffic on some segments of I-2 between Pharr & Harlingen are at 150,000, comparable to traffic counts between Austin and San Antonio.

“We’re excited to introduce the I-69 Connector project here in the very near future. We’ll be hosting a couple of meetings, public scoping meetings, to have input from the stakeholders, the various stakeholders, the elected officials, city, county, RMA, MPO, the public in general, will have an opportunity to meet with us,” Alvarez said.

“There will be two in person options, one in Edinburg and one in Santa Rosa. And then this information will also be available on the internet, where people can view it virtually. The intent of having these public scoping meetings is to have that input. What are the things that are concerns to the public? What are areas of risk? What are the benefits?”

Alvarez said TxDOT believes the I-69 Connector project is of “great benefit” to the entire region.

“When you look at I-2, between, say, Pharr and the Harlingen area, in some places, it’s over 150,000 average daily traffic folks. That is comparable to, say, traffic between Austin and San Antonio. What does that mean? The Valley will continue to grow. And when you start looking at parallel routes, the I-69 Connector provides us that opportunity, an opportunity to be able to maneuver east and west in the in the Valley.”

Alvarez said the exact location of the I-69 Connector is still to be determined. He said that on the east side it could connect with I-69E anywhere between Combes and Willacy County.

‘We’re not exactly sure. I think there are four alternatives that are being viewed, including the no-build alternative. So, we’ll have to evaluate that.”

Alvarez said TxDOT will try to minimize the environmental impact on communities in the vicinity of the I-69 Connector project.

“A lot of people ask, well, how much right away are we going to be buying or will my home be impacted? We don’t know that level of detail yet. What we’re trying to do is finalize and select the route that is best suited to minimize that overall impact. That’s why it’s imperative that the public provides input.”

Editor’s Note: TxDOT says written comments may be submitted in person at the two public scoping meetings, or by mail to the TxDOT Pharr District Office. The comments should be for the attention of Edward Paradise, at 600 W. Interstate 2, Pharr, Texas 78577. They can also be emailed to Francisco.chapa@txdot.gov. All comments must be in before Friday, Feb 7.

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