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TxDOT and local project teams report progress on Laredo-area construction projects; utility office invites stakeholders to conferences
Summary
TxDOT and city engineering staff reported $818 million in active contracts across 22 projects, gave progress updates on US 59, SH 359 and Lomas El Sur projects, and invited agencies to TxDOT utility conferences in November and a district utility roadshow starting Sept. 9 in Laredo.
TxDOT and local project staff provided a status update June 18 showing roughly $818 million in active construction contracts within the MPO boundary and 22 active projects under management.
Jose Vargas, a Laredo engineer, summarized major contracts: the U.S. 59 expansion (reported investment $344 million, expected completion by late 2029, work in place including retaining walls and ramp preparations); SH 359 widening (reported roughly $50 million, approximately 60% complete); and other projects including a $50 million package for Lomas El Sur that the team said has been postponed briefly to clarify retaining-wall details and to avoid an early stop-start in construction. Vargas reported SH 255 rehabilitation (about $25 million, roughly 19% complete) and multiple safety signal/illumination projects, including a coordinated traffic signal at McPherson and Alta Vista and a signal under I-69 at Riverbank.
Representatives from the Regional Mobility Authority and consultant LGA (Orlan Contreras) reported right-of-way revisions and utility coordination on the FM 1472 schematic and associated intersection/overpass work. Staff said utility coordination meetings are ongoing and that traffic-control plans and 60% plans are scheduled for submittal later this summer.
Kenneth Duncan, lead utility coordinator at TxDOT Laredo, invited MPO members and local utility providers to two upcoming events: the statewide Utility Week conference in Round Rock, Nov. 17–19, 2025 (registration and a booth option were discussed; staff cited a $1,000 booth fee that includes two registrations), and the district utility roadshow beginning Sept. 9, which will start in Laredo and proceed to other area offices. Duncan said registration opens in July.
Committee members praised the presentation format and asked staff to continue providing photo and drone footage to improve public transparency. Staff said they will follow up on specific alignment questions and provide written responses where needed.
