[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6271649,"mediaKeyId","3028819-4f6e2a8f1f2d5513669b2f58bf01ad91","parentId",3028819,"title","RMA and TxDOT brief MPO on major corridor projects, report $900M+ in active work","audioSeconds",544,"startMs",2492000,"endMs",3036000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028819-4f6e2a8f1f2d5513669b2f58bf01ad91&start=2492&end=3036","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028819-4f6e2a8f1f2d5513669b2f58bf01ad91/thumbnail_2492000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271649/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/RMA-and-TxDOT-brief-MPO-on-major-corridor-projects-report-900M-in-active-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271649-1922db5e82fddea4616b140298cbba0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770980995&Signature=Slxr-mBdBTJ7W8l17T1yYCBQlIVjZPcVidBfoe8mSaqtudCfIXYjIQsNi1aUX0UDGIw~aJzdJdSYWcMTunC7plwVoZJt2flU1eCfPKQZDaJP15v7Q6VfczRtaAiN7j6TM4cXXQOygR4w~KNfZVWMYbj1Ndbk9wxly8wTM8OrNC54PTLp2WeFbRPIfIwNh8FGz1JUVen91jRg~Q1-v6DJYXnUW-lSapP5jr6Gc63U6hiVq6CS1jM5RopghfLPUKBHkT95499qGfOTFPw6E5mINglTxpuagFs9qf~s46P47LsExRetL11Gc4r6iE~0KKOcku8ehVsunOICAy08ZKh37A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Laredo, Texas","date","2025-04-17T00:44:51.637Z","article","Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) staff provided the MPO with progress updates on active roadway projects across Webb County during the April 16 meeting, reporting roughly two dozen active projects with a combined investment in the hundreds of millions.

Jose Vargas, an engineer presenting TxDOT project summaries, said TxDOT currently has 24 active projects in the MPO boundaries with total investment approaching $900,000,000. He reported that the US 59 expansion contractor had completed roughly 22% of the work and was preparing to place hot-mix material ahead of concrete pavement and that the project remains on schedule with a projected completion around 2029. On SH 359 widening, Vargas said crews completed a traffic switch and were hauling base for the divided portion; he listed an expected completion in summer 2026 and an approximate project cost of $50,000,000.

Vargas outlined other projects: the SH 84 bridge work with bridge-deck pours expected in early May; the Lomas El Sur overpass (start date pushed because of retaining-wall panel fabrication) with concrete barrier and twin bridges planned; and an SH 255 rehabilitation project covering about eight miles west of IH-35 valued at about $25,000,000. He said TxDOT and consultants will present a Mines Road schematic and feasibility update at the next meeting.

Jed Brown (RMA chair) reported RMA activity and local partnerships. He said the RMA has provided a $1,000,000 participation contribution toward the Concord Hills project and that Springfield Phase 4 recently broke ground and is expected to open in the coming months. Brown said right-of-way acquisition and contract steps are underway on local RMA projects and that the authority is coordinating with city departments on schedules and funding for several corridors.

Why it matters: These projects add capacity and safety improvements to regional arterials and state highways; timelines and construction activity affect travel, freight movement and local development. TxDOT’s schedule for large projects (US 59, SH 359) and the Lomas El Sur overpass will be of particular interest to commuters and freight stakeholders.

Next steps: TxDOT said it will share schedule updates and bring Mines Road schematics to a future MPO meeting; the RMA will continue coordination on right-of-way acquisition and utility and construction schedules.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Committee Meeting, 04/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","RMA and Texas Department of Transportation staff updated the MPO on active projects across Webb County, including progress on US 59 expansion, SH 359 widening, Lomas El Sur overpass, and SH 255 rehabilitation.","taxTitle","Laredo, Webb County, Texas","taxId",2820,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271654,"MPO adopts Vision Zero Web Laredo safety action plan with $33 million project list, seeks federal implementation funds",1157,862000,2019000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028819-4f6e2a8f1f2d5513669b2f58bf01ad91&start=862&end=2019","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028819-4f6e2a8f1f2d5513669b2f58bf01ad91/thumbnail_862000.jpg","/articles/6271654/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/MPO-adopts-Vision-Zero-Web-Laredo-safety-action-plan-with-33-million-project-list-seeks-federal-implementation-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271654-02fcf9f007d635ccf2f864dc79c4b877/orig.mp4?Expires=1770980995&Signature=dM86bYq7UosyiEBtzf~IIbarTfTn8d8k3wNguEMOT37pXGCZ9bLm9zPm0tzhgtRKJJ-IXN0fBUY1qAplixCM3KCMUvxFh1qoviPvV83SeVqJ5XeCtDSO2kEkxYWklwPpEYv8NHS7nVoNF7oZ~~gjrYv0JkHUtCWqEv3A~c7mYDu6j7PZseT0PW2vqFrwmJG95KjJoib9gq3EeXxAIAcyg5BS1wX~icZUQMJAKn5O824XnrIyAQiHirUvbgQldyDyDiRpCzlNWWgrh3Que5vlCwoVT5ElW~zosA-Dd4THMYXO1vxah~Lh9D5qAZn60vYOL9luHg0WwKGZkZ1pq5MpeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Planning Organization policy committee on April 16 adopted the \"Vision 0 Web Laredo\" comprehensive safety action plan, a data-driven strategy that identifies roughly $33 million in capital projects and a set of policy, education and enforcement actions intended to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, presenters said.

Jed Brown, chair of the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA), told the committee that the plan was developed in partnership among the RMA, the City of Laredo and the MPO and that the RMA board had already adopted the plan. \"We've had over a hundred — I believe it's 90 — meetings over the course of the last year and a half,\" Brown said, describing broad community and stakeholder engagement that included police, school districts and hundreds of residents.

Jason Rodriguez of LJ Engineering, who presented the technical summary, said the plan used crash data from 2018–2022 to identify high-priority corridors and contributing factors. \"We identified that there were a hundred and 19 victims of fatal or serious injury crashes in 2022 alone,\" Rodriguez said, and noted more than 40,000 crashes of all severities in the five-year dataset. Rodriguez summarized three major contributing factors identified in the analysis: speeding, drug and alcohol impairment, and seat-belt nonuse.

The capital list included about $33,000,000 in recommended projects, Rodriguez said, with roughly $20,000,000 falling on TxDOT right-of-way projects and about $10,000,000 identified as city projects. Examples discussed in the presentation included corridor- and spot-improvement packages; Houston Street improvements were shown in the plan at just under $1 million, and McPherson Road — largely a conversion of left-turn lanes to raised medians and related pavement work — was listed at about $6,300,000. The plan also identifies 15 bus-stop locations in the colonias east of Laredo where about 200 children are picked up for United Independent School District routes; staff said work is already underway with UISD and LISD on designs and site audits that will become appendices to the plan.

Rodriguez and others said the projects are candidates for federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) implementation funds, which require a locally adopted safety action plan to be eligible. Several speakers noted the program uses an 80/20 match structure; Rodriguez told the committee \"they're matching grants. So this would be, 80 20 match,\" and panelists discussed options for assembling local matches. A representative who spoke about economically disadvantaged county (EDC) relief said the SS4A implementation funds described in the meeting do not flow through TxDOT and therefore do not automatically qualify for EDC relief — meaning the full 20% local match would be required unless separate arrangements are found.

Committee members discussed project costs, corridor choices (including Zapata Highway and Del Mar link), and the next steps for seeking implementation dollars. Melissa (city staff) and others said federal officials have encouraged applications and that funds are available for implementation if the region can provide local matches. The committee moved and seconded the resolution adopting the plan; the chair announced the motion passed.

Why it matters: Adoption makes the region eligible to apply for federal implementation funding tied to SS4A and formalizes a list of prioritized capital and non-capital actions intended to reduce roadway deaths and serious injuries. The plan couples data analysis with community input and sets project-level cost estimates that local agencies will need to package and match to pursue federal grants.

Next steps: Staff said they will continue design work with school districts and coordinate with TxDOT and city finance staff on matching strategies; the MPO and RMA will pursue grant applications for implementation funding.","The MPO adopted the Vision Zero Web Laredo comprehensive safety action plan, a data-driven package of projects and actions that identifies about $33 million in capital needs and is a prerequisite to apply for federal SS4A implementation funds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271659,"MPO approves TIP and MTP amendments and adds \"support vehicles\" to El Metro transit description",467,245000,712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028819-4f6e2a8f1f2d5513669b2f58bf01ad91&start=245&end=712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028819-4f6e2a8f1f2d5513669b2f58bf01ad91/thumbnail_245000.jpg","/articles/6271659/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/MPO-approves-TIP-and-MTP-amendments-and-adds-support-vehicles-to-El-Metro-transit-description","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271659-2434bfdd863daa50d0e59f62b63fe0f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770980995&Signature=RAkeiaHU~mWSlDcUfRD26gFhGRdWqC75JqJd39b4jVUShs4qHz5z-0nVHDD3Duk5RtbsuwNJJ0pcO6~hzs5YHDXUFpTDCm1eWHjUx-jApIAyeuGQvyaKMagqv9-b9nlsbwHURm9eW9KNT-WbxR4Gy8Xd8zVkeKE-YWc53E1UxVW0CCoe4mfqtwWTlaYwJ3kbuj9YWXgpd7oVoQkg0cvE~KUROLzBViF9CfwVgv2VWag4P2a9-9T7alCVlujwY80RqCuBeQIKMGYDDsr6kxBQEJkUih~FrgpHn4wHsrQMFGd22QzgAg0fJINm0fAm9FCD61~19HmDKmK3HJUjJckjiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) policy committee on April 16 approved two resolutions to amend the 2025–2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the 2025–2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), and approved a change to El Metro’s federal transit project description to include “support vehicles,” officials said.

Graciela Biones, NPO staff, presented the TIP amendment, which revises project CSJ 001806185 (a new direct connector between IH-35 and US-59) to change its project limits. The current limits read \"from 0.5 miles east of IH 35 to 0.5 miles north of US 59;\" the proposed limits were described in the meeting as revised to \"from 0.87 miles south of the IH-35/US-59 intersection to 0.205 miles north of the IH-35/US-59 intersection.\" Biones said the MPO’s public participation plan required a 10-day public review and that the amendment is a TxDOT-proposed change to be incorporated into the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

In a related item, the committee approved a matching revision to the MTP so the long-range plan reflects the same project limits changes in the TIP. Biones explained that federal law requires metropolitan planning organizations to maintain a 20-year planning horizon and to update the MTP every five years.

El Metro’s transit director, RJ Gottsa, described the requested wording change to the federal transit funding line (referred to in the meeting as \"53 39 monies\"). The existing project description listed funds for \"replacing heavy duty buses and paratransit vans and bus facility improvements.\" The amendment adds \"support vehicles,\" a term transit staff said covers non-passenger vehicles used to support operations. \"We will probably use for ADA, paratransit vans,\" Gottsa said, adding that support vehicles also include units used by maintenance and utility crews to respond to road calls, maintain bus shelters, and shuttle drivers during shift changes.

The committee moved and seconded both resolutions. There were no speakers who registered opposition during the open comment checks reported on the record, and the chair announced the motions passed. Specific mover/second names and a roll-call tally were not specified in the transcript.

Why it matters: TIP amendments change which projects are eligible for federal and state construction funding in the near term; matching the MTP keeps the long-range plan aligned with those funded limits. The added transit language broadens the types of vehicles eligible for the identified federal funding line, clarifying that money can be used for passenger-facing paratransit vans as well as operational support units.

Votes and next steps: The MPO approved Resolution MPO 2025-04 (TIP amendment) and Resolution MPO 2025-05 (MTP revision). Staff will forward the amended TIP for inclusion in the STIP as required by TxDOT and federal procedures. El Metro’s expanded project description will be reflected in the updated TIP and MTP documents.","The MPO approved amendments to the 2025–2028 TIP and the 2025–2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan and approved adding \"support vehicles\" to a federal transit project description to allow use of funds for paratransit vans and maintenance/support units.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

RMA and TxDOT brief MPO on major corridor projects, report $900M+ in active work

MPO adopts Vision Zero Web Laredo safety action plan with $33 million project list, seeks federal implementation funds

MPO approves TIP and MTP amendments and adds "support vehicles" to El Metro transit description