Eagle Pass MPO adopts weighted project scoring, opens call for projects and backs US 57 four‑lane upgrade

Eagle Pass, Texas — The Eagle Pass Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Policy Board on Sept. 10 adopted a weighted project‑scoring framework for its 25‑year Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), authorized a call for projects under available federal and state funding programs and passed a resolution supporting the upgrade of U.S. Highway 57 to a four‑lane divided roadway.

The board voted unanimously to adopt “Option 2,” a scoring approach that places extra weight on safety and congestion mitigation while also accounting for project readiness, economic and multimodal benefits and accessibility. After adopting the criteria, the board approved moving forward with a formal call for projects and passed Resolution No. 2025‑07 supporting the U.S. 57 upgrade.

Why it matters: The MTP is the MPO’s federally required long‑range transportation plan covering 25 years. The scoring framework determines which projects the MPO will prioritize for limited formula and discretionary funds that flow through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and federal programs. Sid Martinez, principal transportation planner with Stanley Consultants, described the MTP as “not a wish list of projects,” saying, “They are not a wish list of projects. They do have to, identify the funding that you expect to receive over that 25 year … lifetime of the plan.” He added that “This is a federally required process” and that establishing scoring criteria in advance is mandatory.

What the board adopted: The board approved a six‑criteria scoring framework developed with MPO staff, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Stanley Consultants. The six criteria are: safety…