Representatives from the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) gave status reports on Jan. 15 covering highway construction, right-of-way donations and schedule changes for several Laredo-area projects.

RMA representative Jett Brown said TxDOT redesigned the Viasio Overpass as an "enhanced overpass," which requires roughly 10 acres of additional right-of-way on the west side of Interstate 35. Brown reported that landowner Cliff Killam has agreed to donate the additional acreage and the RMA and TxDOT are coordinating to secure the parcels at once to expedite construction. Brown cautioned the extra right-of-way will require redoing environmental documents and could push the project back about six to nine months.

Brown also reported the RMA has allocated up to $1,000,000 to each of two city-led projects: a Springfield 4 connector to tie to Loop 20 and a Concord Hills connector; he said TxDOT has already completed adjacent work on Springfield 4 and the city portion is expected to proceed after bids are opened. Brown said the primary developer in the Concord Hills area, identified in the meeting as Donato Ramos and partners, has agreed to contribute about $400,000 toward engineering for that project. The Concord Hills and two Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TRZ) implementation items are expected on the city council agenda on Feb. 18, Brown said.

Brown gave a broad timeline for the Vallejo Road project, noting an optimistic opening if all milestones are met in summer 2029. He also said the RMA will present final findings from the Safe Streets for All consultant next month and planned a short committee presentation afterward.

TxDOT Laredo-area representative Jose Vargas presented an overview of the agency's active construction work in the region. "We currently have about 830,000,000 on active contracts. That totals 20 2 projects," Vargas said in the meeting transcript. He summarized major projects:

- US 59 (contractor James Construction Group): reported work on drainage and median removal to allow lane shifts; speaker described planned closures beginning late February or early March and ongoing work on drainage and excavation.

- SH 84 (Charles Ruttinger Road, contractor Weber): project cost reported at 122,000,000 with expected completion in fall 2027; bridge columns and caps are underway and beam placements are expected soon.

- SH 359 widening (Anderson Columbia): reported as a roughly 50,000,000 project with staged traffic shifts and drainage work; completion estimated in 2026.

- Lomas del Sur (contractor Anderson Columbia): preconstruction remains pending but TxDOT expects contractor mobilization in February–March 2025.

- SH 255 reconstruction (8 miles west from IH-35): a full reconstruction that will add structures and is entering early mobilization and structure work in the next months.

TxDOT also emphasized routine safety and traffic messaging for construction zones and encouraged seat-belt use and caution while work is underway.

Much of the RMA discussion centered on coordination with landowners, additional environmental review triggered by design changes, and local funding/donation arrangements. Several committee members praised the partnerships that contributed to progress on long-planned projects.

No formal committee action or votes were taken on these status reports; the items were presented for information and next-step coordination.