North Segment of State Loop 480 Construction Funding Approved by TxDOT for 2024
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2023
The long-awaited funding for construction of the northern 5.8 miles segment of Loop 480 in Eagle Pass, Texas from U. S. Highway 57 South to U. S. Highway 277 North has been formally approved by the Texas Department of Transportation Board of Commissioners as a project to be included in their Unified Funding Transportation Program for 2024 at their August 2023 Board meeting held in Austin, Texas, announced State Representative Heriberto “Eddie” Morales, Jr. (D-HD 74).
Construction on the first and second segments of State Loop 480, a 5.6 miles project, was commenced on October 11, 2010 by private contractor, Anderson-Columbia, and completed on October 8, 2012. A formal grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion and opening of the first and second segments of State Loop 480 from the City of Eagle Pass Camino Real International Bridge to F. M. 1021 (El Indio Highway) was held on October 8, 2012.
The City of Eagle Pass and Maverick County have lobbied the Texas Department of Transportation for almost 11 years to award the funding of the final third segment of State Loop 480 without success until now.
Eagle Pass International Bridge System General Manager Homero Balderas stated the funding for the third and final 5.8 miles segment of State Loop 480 was possible through collaboration of all local governmental entities, stakeholders, and TxDOT Board of Commissioners and Professional Program Directors.
TxDOT Board of Commissioners Alex Meade and Alvin New recently attended the Port of Eagle Pass Trade Summit held on June 22, 2023 at the Eagle Pass International Center for Trade and discovered the extraordinary opportunity the Port of Eagle Pass represents to the citizens of Texas concerning the anticipated growth of international trade between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Commissioners Meade and New took notice of Eagle Pass and presented a report on their findings on the Port of Eagle Pass Trade Summit to their fellow TxDOT Commissioners and the transportation infrastructure required for the state of Texas to develop its maximum potential, recommending funding for completion of State Loop 480.
TxDOT Director of Planning and Modal Programs Caroline Mays has been instrumental in raising awareness of the outstanding potential the Port of Eagle Pass offers the state of Texas and the needs of the Port of Eagle Pass in order to become a major player in international trade. Mays has visited the Port of Eagle Pass on several occasions during recent years and organized international trade conferences in Mexico, highlighting the significant economic development and trade between the states of Coahuila and Texas through the Port of Eagle Pass.
State of Coahuila Secretariat for Economic Development and former Mayor of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico Claudio Bres Garza has also contributed to the development of the Port of Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras as a viable international trade route between Mexico, United States, and Canada. Bres Garza noted that the Port of Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras currently does over $32 Billion in export and imports per year, but that by the year 2050 it is projected to grow to over $750 Billion per year. Bres Garza has been a strong advocate for both the states of Coahuila and Texas’ collaboration on international trade issues while promoting the Port of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras.
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson also attended the Port of Eagle Pass Trade Summit in June 2023 and was impressed with the great potential and resources available at the Port of Eagle Pass. As Secretary of State, Nelson serves as Texas’ Ambassador to Mexico. Her advocacy on behalf of the Port of Eagle Pass to Governor Greg Abbott and the TxDOT Commissioners facilitated TxDOT’s funding of State Loop 480.
Morales stated that this funding approval by TxDOT Board of Commissioners for completion of State Loop 480 is “great news for our community and has been years in the making.” Morales added that State Loop 480 will connect the Ports-to-Plains Corridor that will connect Laredo, Eagle Pass, and Del Rio to the Texas Panhandle and northern United States and Canada.
Morales thanked all stakeholders and TxDOT professionals who have worked on this project for the past 10 years to bring it to fruition. With funding approved as part of TxDOT’s Unified Transportation Program in 2024, State Loop 480’s completion work is expected to commence in October 2023-2024 since most of the engineering work is completed. Morales noted that this funding will prepare Eagle Pass for the future and bring new economic development, investments, industries, and jobs to the community.
