Pedro “Pete” Alvarez, head of the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Pharr District, is leading efforts to improve road infrastructure in the Rio Grande Valley. Alvarez oversees a range of projects across South Texas, focusing on both safety and long-term planning for the region’s transportation network.
“We’re here to save lives. We’re here to ensure that everybody gets to their destination,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez, who grew up in McAllen and returned after studying engineering, emphasizes that his work is about more than building roads—it is about building trust within his team and community through leadership and vision.
“This profession allows me to not only solve problems, but affect the region as a whole,” he said.
One project that stands out in his career is the construction of a highway in Mission, Texas. According to Alvarez, this project transformed part of the valley and changed his understanding of how much impact an engineer can have on a community.
“Once we were complete, we saw a transformation of that part of the valley. And then for me, it was like, ‘Wow I played a part in this,’” Alvarez said.
Alvarez recognizes that these infrastructure projects help create economic opportunities and improve quality of life for residents. With projections indicating that the population could double by 2040, he stresses the importance of strategic planning to accommodate future growth.
“It’s imperative that we understand that we’re building for the future. We already have needs and there’s congestion. Yes, we’re trying to address those, but we also have a long-range plan to ensure that we will be able to handle what’s coming to us,” Alvarez said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has also been involved in initiatives aimed at strengthening transportation systems nationwide. For example, nearly $20 million in grants was awarded through its Small Shipyard Grant Program to modernize shipyards and expand employment opportunities across 19 states ($19.6 million in grant awards). Additionally, new guidance and $7.3 billion in formula funding have been provided under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states prepare for extreme weather events (New guidance).
Other recent federal efforts include promoting inclusive design for transportation through competitions with significant financial awards (In recognition of the ADA’s 32nd anniversary), as well as advancing supply chain efficiency by expanding data-sharing partnerships among logistics companies (The Department of Transportation).
These national programs complement local leadership like Alvarez’s efforts in South Texas as communities prepare for growth and change.
