Texas Border Business
Edinburg, TX – Today, Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr., visited the Rio Grande Valley to meet with local leaders and discuss key regional projects. Officials and business leaders from Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr and Willacy Counties had the opportunity to discuss ideas with Chairman Bugg on how to work together to improve and accelerate infrastructure projects across the region.
With multiple meetings held in Hidalgo and Cameron counties, Chairman Bugg was able to get a personal look at the Valley’s growing infrastructure needs. The Rio Grande Valley continues to grow exponentially with an estimated combined population of over 1.35 million residents. With this in mind, local leaders have sought regional solutions in recent years to address the many transportation challenges across the Valley.
“I appreciate Chairman Bugg making the Rio Grande Valley one of his first visits as chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. As one of the fastest growing areas of the state, infrastructure is key to continue the economic growth that is taking place in South Texas. It is important to have a state leader like Chairman Bugg experience firsthand the transportation needs of our region and have face to face discussions with our local leaders.” –Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, District 20, Senate Transportation Committee Member
“As our local economy and population in the Rio Grande Valley continues to thrive, our transportation infrastructure needs also continue to grow. We have water and land ports, rail and major highways and soon a commercial space launch site. I want to thank Chairman Bugg for visiting our region to see all of this firsthand and taking the time to meet with local leaders to discuss how we can work together to ensure our interstates, highways and local roads can handle our area’s continued and future growth.”-Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia
”I applaud Chairman Bugg for taking the time to visit our area and witness firsthand the unique characteristics, issues, and opportunities regarding transportation needs in South Texas that are unlike any other region in the state. With a growing population, an increase in international trade, and aging infrastructure, there is a great need to prioritize South Texas’ transportation projects as critical, necessary, and timely. I appreciate Chairman Bugg’s like-minded vision for regional solutions to address the mutual transportation needs in our area that affect mobility throughout the state, and I thank him for his continued support of our transportation projects in South Texas”. – Ambrosio Hernandez, MD, Hidalgo County MPO Chair/Mayor of Pharr
“I think Chairman Bugg did a fantastic job of laying out his vision for the future of TXDOT and taking the time to listen to all of the leaders and transportation stakeholders in the Rio Grande Valley”. –City of Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell
“We currently have many regional transportation projects in the works in the Rio Grande Valley that will not only have a tremendous impact locally, but also across the state and the nation. It was a pleasure to visit with Chairman Bugg and personally share the progress on these projects and provide him with other important facts and data concerning our infrastructure needs. We must continue to work together locally and keep this important conversation going with TxDOT leadership.” -Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño
“I am pleased that Chairman Bugg is visiting the Rio Grande Valley so that he can see firsthand the progress our region has made to address our transportation needs. As the Rio Grande Valley continues its explosive population growth, it is important for the leadership at the Texas Transportation Commission and Texas Department of Transportation to see that we are working together, united, as a region.” -Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez, District 39, Vice Chairman, House Transportation Committee
“It was an honor to be able to be in the Rio Grande Valley to learn about the transportation needs of residents here as the population continues to grow.” He continued,“I do appreciate everyone’s time and attention to transportation and look forward to continuing our important work in the future,” J. Bruce Bugg, Jr., Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission finalized.
