Texas Border Business
STARR COUNTY – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) was joined by elected officials to kick off construction for the much-anticipated State Loop 195 (SL 195) project in Starr County.
The new 17.24-mile-long roadway, to be constructed in three phases, will serve as a US 83 relief route, from FM 755 in Rio Grande City to the US 83/Loma Blanca Road intersection in Roma, just north of Roma High School.
“It’s been about 20 years since we first initiated conversations about having State Loop 195,” said Pharr District Engineer Pete Alvarez. “I’m super excited about this job. I really feel that this area has grown. The folks in Starr County and the folks that go through Starr County, from Laredo to the Valley, deserve a project of this magnitude and I think this is a continued investment in Starr County.”
In addition to alleviating congestion along the current US 83 route, which has traffic signals at multiple intersections, the new US 83 route will also enhance safety and improve mobility and connectivity.
The kickoff event was for phase one, a $62 million investment, connecting FM 755 to FM 3167 in Rio Grande City.
Phase two, connecting FM 3167 in Rio Grande City to FM 649 near El Sauz, is scheduled to go out for construction bids in late 2026.
The third and final phase, connecting FM 649 to the intersection of US 83 and Loma Blanca Road, is tentatively set to go out for construction bids in 2028.
All three projects will include a 4-lane divided highway (2 travel lanes in each direction) with shoulders and a grassy median. Bridges will be constructed at FEMA flood zones and 13 other waterways. Crossovers will be added at intersections with Charco Blanco Road, Jesse Warren Road, Alvarez Road, San Julian Road and Ebony Avenue.
The total project will cost an estimated $240 million dollars.
“In about five to six years, we’re going to be able to traverse that entire area, non-stop,” Alvarez added.
