The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) began 2026 with a series of highway expansions, safety improvements, and local mobility projects throughout the state. These efforts include major reconstruction in urban areas, upgrades for pedestrians and cyclists, rural safety initiatives, and new construction in rapidly growing communities.
In Austin, TxDOT is preparing to reconstruct the I-35 bridges over Lady Bird Lake as part of the $4.5 billion I-35 Capital Express Central project. The northbound Riverside Drive exit and Holly Street entrance and exit have been closed permanently. To support traffic flow during construction, a new Riverside Drive bypass lane, a temporary Holly Street exit, and a U-turn have opened. This long-term project is part of the MyMobility35 initiative aimed at improving safety, reducing congestion, and accommodating various types of road users in central Austin.
Williamson County saw the start of Phase 1a for the RM 2243 project. Local officials joined TxDOT to mark the beginning of work that will reconstruct and widen 3.5 miles between 183A and Garey Park. The upgrades include adding a center turn lane, realigning curves for safety enhancements, and building a shared-use path for non-motorized traffic. Completion is expected by early 2028.
In Hays County’s Wimberley area, TxDOT has started nighttime construction on three new traffic signals at RR 12 and Old Kyle Road to improve intersection safety while limiting daytime disruptions. This work is scheduled to continue into spring.
Responding to population growth in west Harris County near Houston, TxDOT announced plans to expand the Grand Parkway between I-10 and Highway 290 from four lanes to six lanes this summer. Planned improvements also involve replacing cable barriers with concrete ones for added safety and installing noise walls where necessary.
Safety investments are also underway in West Texas and the Panhandle regions. In Taylor County near Abilene, plans were outlined for a $125 million expansion of I-20 that will add two more lanes as well as an overpass at Judge Ely Boulevard; construction should begin late this year.
Meanwhile in Lubbock County, crews began installing cable median barriers along U.S. 62 between Lubbock and Ropesville as part of a $2.7 million effort to reduce severe crashes.
Amarillo has seen accessibility upgrades with ADA-compliant curb ramps, sidewalks, and shared-use paths being added along I-40 service roads and Washington Street for improved pedestrian access.
Across Texas—urban centers like Austin or Houston as well as rural communities—these projects reflect ongoing efforts by TxDOT to connect residents across the state through infrastructure modernization.
On a national level, programs such as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program are providing funding opportunities that support both urban and rural transportation projects across America—including those that modernize roads or enhance transit systems—through allocations made possible by federal legislation like President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-harris-administration-announces-funding-166-projects-modernize-transportation).
To address extreme weather events impacting transportation infrastructure nationwide—including flooding or wildfires—the Federal Highway Administration recently announced new guidance alongside $7.3 billion in formula funding designed to help states prepare for climate-related challenges (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-administration-announces-new-protect-formula-program-73-billion-bipartisan).
The Department of Transportation has also worked with supply chain partners through initiatives such as FLOW (Freight Logistics Optimization Works), which aims to optimize goods movement by sharing data among participants (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-supply-chain-companies-collaborate-speed-movement-goods-cut-costs-consumers).
Accessibility remains another focus area nationally; marking the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), USDOT recognized winners of its Inclusive Design Challenge—an initiative encouraging innovation that improves mobility options for people with disabilities through accessible vehicle design (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/anniversary-ada-usdot-announces-winners-its-first-ever-inclusive-design-challenge).
Finally, efforts continue within other transportation sectors: nearly $20 million was recently awarded through federal grants supporting small shipyards’ modernization needs around the country (https://www.maritime.dot.gov/newsroom/maritime-administration-awards-nearly-20-million-funding-strengthen-us-shipyard-economic), while rail industry practices have evolved toward smaller crew sizes thanks to technological innovation (https://railroads.dot.gov/newsroom/press-releases/fra-issues-proposed-rule-enhance-train-safety-codify-train-crew-size-0).
These developments demonstrate how both state-level actions in Texas and federal programs contribute toward safer roads, improved accessibility features, modernized transport networks—and ultimately greater connectivity across communities.
