Status
TxDOT reported in June 2011 that over 230 miles of the proposed 500-mile I-69 route through the state has been completed.
As of July 2011, Texas has been proceeding with upgrading rural sections of US 59, US 77, and US 281 to interstate standards by replacing intersections with interchanges, and converting 2-lane stretches to 4 lanes by adding a second carriageway to the existing roadway.
A stated goal of TxDOT's I-69 initiative is that "existing suitable freeway sections of the proposed system be designated as I-69 as soon as possible." A bill was introduced and passed by the House of Representatives that allows interstate quality sections of US 59, US 77, and US 281 to be signed as I-69 regardless of whether or not they connected to other interstate highways.
Meanwhile, TxDOT has submitted an application to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to designate 75 miles of US 59 in the Houston area and 8 miles of US 77 near Corpus Christi as I-69, as these sections are already built to interstate standards and connect to other interstate highways. In August 2011, TxDOT received approval from FHWA for a six-mile segment of US 77 between I-37 and SH 44 near Corpus Christi, and was approved by the AASHTO in October 2011. Officials held a ceremony on December 5, 2011 to unveil I-69 signs on the Robstown-Corpus Christi section.
At the May 18, 2012 meeting of AASHTO, 35 miles of US-59 (Eastex Freeway) from I-610 in Houston (on the loop's northern segment) to Fostoria Road in Liberty County were also approved as ready for I-69 signage, pending concurrence from the Federal Highway Administration. FHWA later granted concurrence and with the final approval of the Texas Transportation Commission, the 35-mile stretch was officially designated as I-69. It was announced on February 6, 2013 that FHWA had approved a 28 mile segment of US-59 (Southwest Freeway) from I-610 to just south of Rosenberg. The remaining segment of the original 75-mile submission (the section within Houston between the northern and southern sections of I-610) is still in the review process as of February, 2013.
Read more about this topic: Interstate 69 In Texas
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