Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on Thursday, Aug. 21, announced a new, 10-year transportation plan with more than $146 billion in projected investments aimed at expanding and maintaining the state’s roads, reducing congestion, and supporting a growing economy.
Locally, planned upgrades include a highway in the Texas Panhandle and a key portion of State Loop 335 in southwest Amarillo where a student was hit by a vehicle earlier this year.
The Texas Transportation Commission approved the 2026 Unified Transportation Program (UTP), which dedicates $101.6 billion to roadway projects and nearly $45 billion for development and routine maintenance. It marks the third consecutive year the long-range plan has topped $100 billion.
Abbott said the historic investment is critical as Texas continues to add residents and attract businesses.
“This more than $146 billion investment in our roadways will help Texas meet the critical needs of our growing state as more people and businesses move here for the freedom and opportunity they can’t find anywhere else,” Abbott said. “We must strengthen our roadways and improve congestion and safety to keep our economy booming and keep Texans moving.”
Acting Transportation Commission Chair Alvin New said the plan ensures both immediate improvements and lasting benefits.
“I want to thank Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature for this investment that will provide lasting benefits for all Texans, focusing on saving lives, connecting people and providing congestion relief,” New said.
TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams emphasized that public feedback helped shape the plan, which is updated annually.
“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,” Williams said.
Local projects in Amarillo
The Texas Department of Transportation’s new 10-year plan outlines nearly a quarter-billion dollars in major highway improvements for Amarillo and the surrounding Panhandle.
For drivers in the region, two projects stand out:
$165 million to widen U.S. 87 into a freeway from U.S. 385 to just west of U.S. 287. The work will convert the busy stretch into a four-lane divided highway, with separate contracts in Moore and Hartley counties because of the county line. The project is expected to be done between fiscal years 2026 and 2030.
$69 million to upgrade State Loop 335 into a freeway from just north of FM 2186 (West Hollywood Road) to just north of Arden Road. Current frontage roads in the area are only temporary, with the main lanes still to come. Plans call for a four-lane divided highway with a new bridge at Arden Road to improve safety and traffic flow. Construction is scheduled sometime between fiscal years 2030 and 2035.
Together, the two projects target some of the most heavily traveled corridors in the Panhandle. State officials said the upgrades are designed to reduce traffic delays, improve safety and bring the highways up to modern standards.
Local drivers can already see a preview of the design on the southeast side of Amarillo, where a similar stretch of the loop near Randall High School features new main lanes and parallel frontage roads. Officials say the Arden Road project will eventually take on the same look.
TxDOT’s Unified Transportation Program is a road map rather than a guarantee, meaning schedules and funding could shift. But as Amarillo grows and traffic volumes increase, officials say these projects will help shape how the city moves for decades to come.
More: Safety lights coming to Loop 335 after student hit in Arden Road crosswalk
Looking ahead at statewide priorities
Many projects in the 2026 UTP target roadway segments on Texas’ 100 Most Congested Roadways list, which primarily includes sites in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and Houston areas. Nearly $2 billion more will flow into Texas Clear Lanes, the congestion-relief initiative launched in 2015, raising its total non-tolled investment to about $84 billion.
The plan also commits $17 billion toward roadway safety improvements and $669 million for rural corridors and key routes in economic hubs — investments that TxDOT officials say are critical for both commuters and freight movement.
The UTP acts as TxDOT’s “road map” for the next decade, guiding development to improve safety, relieve congestion and preserve existing roadways. In addition to roads, it also addresses public transportation, maritime, aviation, rail, freight, international trade, and bicycle and pedestrian connectivity.
The 2026 UTP was finalized after a statewide public comment process. The full plan and comment log are available on TxDOT’s website.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Texas green-lights $146B transportation plan to improve traffic
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