I‑69 Alliance tells San Patricio County officials billions are programmed for US‑77 upgrades; urges continued local partnership

Jennifer Shepherd, executive director of the Alliance for I‑69 Texas, told the San Patricio County Commissioners Court on July 28 that the congressionally authorized I‑69 corridor has projects in multiple stages and that state and federal resources are being programmed to upgrade US‑77 in the Coastal Bend.

"My name is Jennifer Shepherd and I am the executive director of the Alliance for I‑69 Texas," Shepherd said in her presentation to the court, summarizing the alliance's role in federal and state advocacy and local coordination.

Shepherd said about 220 miles of roadway already are signed as I‑69 and that an additional 40 miles are complete and awaiting approval, with about 20 of those miles in the Coastal Bend region. Using the Texas Department of Transportation's draft 10‑year Unified Transportation Program (UTP) figures, she told the court that roughly $753 million is programmed for San Patricio County on the I‑69 corridor and that another $498 million is programmed in neighboring Refugio County to upgrade US‑77 to interstate standards.

Shepherd said the alliance works with federal and state officials, TxDOT district engineers and local elected officials to identify project priorities and to seek funding. She noted that building congressionally authorized interstates today lacks the dedicated federal cost‑share that funded the original interstate system; alliance efforts focus on securing dedicated funding and protecting existing transportation funding at the state level.

Commissioners asked about the alliance's activities and whether county dues support lobbying. Shepherd said the alliance conducts education and advocacy at federal and state levels; she said the alliance does not give money directly to TxDOT and that membership funds support outreach and coordination. Shepherd offered to provide a more detailed briefing and to provide an official request if the alliance seeks membership or funding from the county. Court members noted they had not received a written funding request during the meeting and asked staff to notify the alliance that a formal letter would be needed if the court were to consider a contribution.

Shepherd closed by asking the court to continue partnering with the alliance to advance the corridor projects and offered further briefings to county officials.