The Texas Department of Transportation said it is “accelerating a major shift” in how it designs and delivers road projects; introducing new digital tools to help design, operate, and maintain transportation infrastructure now and in the future.
[Above photo by TxDOT]
At the center of that shift is a move away from traditional two-dimensional or 2D paper plans toward fully digital three dimensional or 3D design environments — a transformation the agency said will change how projects are planned, built, and maintained for decades to come.
The new approach, known as digital delivery, allows engineers to build detailed 3D models — or “digital twins” — of roads and bridges before construction begins. These models can identify potential problems such as drainage conflicts or utility clashes long before crews arrive on site, noted Jason Pike, TxDOT’s director of design.
“This shift provides a clearer, data-driven view of projects at every stage,” he explained in a statement. “Instead of relying on stacks of paper plans or disconnected files, contractors and planners can now work from a single, shared model that improves visualization, strengthens coordination and reduces costly surprises in the field. The result: fewer change orders, more streamlined construction and better communication with the public.”
[Editor’s note: Carl Johnson, TxDOT’s chief engineer, made similar points regarding digital delivery during a knowledge session at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 2026 Spring Meeting in Savannah, GA.]
TxDOT is currently piloting digital delivery projects statewide, with plans to evaluate lessons learned from each project to ensure continuous improvement and thoughtful expansion. By the end of 2027, the goal is for all 25 TxDOT districts to have awarded at least one project using the new delivery method – with the long-term goal to make digital delivery the default approach for future projects.
The digital push is also closely tied to TxDOT’s growing use of alternative delivery contracting, overseen by the agency’s Alternative Delivery Division, the department noted.
The integration of digital tools, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative delivery models represents a major evolution, TxDOT said – one aimed at keeping pace with Texas’ rapid growth.
As the pilot program expands, TxDOT said it expects the benefits to compound, resulting in faster project delivery, fewer delays, and ultimately a safer and more resilient transportation network for the state.
