Governor Greg Abbott (R) recently unveiled a new 10-year state transportation plan with a total projected investment of over $146 billion.
[Above photo by TxDOT]
That plan, developed by the Texas Department of Transportation, will invest in local roads and major traffic congestion relief projects to meet the demands of the state’s “growing population and thriving economy.”
The Texas Transportation Commission approved the 2026 Unified Transportation Program or UTP on August 21; a program, updated annually, designed to provide a “road map” for broad transportation infrastructure investments covering roadways, transit, maritime, aviation, rail, freight, international trade and bicycle and pedestrian connectivity.
[Editor’s note: TxDOT recently highlighted how midtown Houston highway infrastructure murals offer “empowerment and opportunity” to local residents.]
The 2026 UTP includes $101.6 billion for projects over the next 10 years as well as nearly $45 billion for development and routine maintenance, TxDOT said.
“We must strengthen our roadways and improve congestion and safety to keep our economy booming and keep Texans moving,” Gov. Abbott said in a statement. “This more than $146 billion investment in our transportation network will build the future of Texas for generations to come.”
“Built with our transportation partners and public feedback from across the state, the UTP will enhance safety, improve mobility, and support our growth over the next 10 years,” noted Marc Williams, TxDOT’s executive director, who also serves as the chair of Council on Rail Transportation for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
“Whether you live in a rural area or a big city, this plan benefits everyone as we continue to work to move people and goods safely and efficiently, fulfilling our mission of connecting you with Texas,” he said.
TxDOT noted that many of the projects in the 2026 UTP are roadway segments identified on the state’s 100 Most Congested Roadways list.
Texas Clear Lanes congestion-relief projects will also see an increase in funding by nearly $2 billion, supporting the $84 billion total investment for completed, under-construction, and planned non-tolled projects since 2015.
Finally, the 2026 UTP includes a nearly $17 billion investment in safety and an additional $669 million in funding for rural corridors and key roadways in economic hubs.
Other state departments of transportation are also gathering feedback on their respective long-term infrastructure plans.
For example, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities is seeking public input on its Long-Range Transportation Plan or LRTP 2055, which will guide how people and goods move across Alaska by road, air, water, rail, bike, and foot for the next 30 years.
Ryan Anderson, Alaska DOT&PF commissioner, noted in a statement that the LRTP 2055 goes further by positioning Alaska within a rapidly changing global context – where shifts in energy, trade, technology, and climate are “reshaping” how transportation connects people and economies.
“Alaska’s transportation system is our link to the world,” he explained in a statement.
“As international trade routes evolve, resource development expands, and communities adapt to new technologies and climate realities, we must plan for a system that keeps Alaskans connected and competitive into the future,” he added. “We want this plan to reflect local voices while recognizing Alaska’s global importance.”
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