AUSTIN, TX - At the Texas Transportation Commission (Commission) meeting on June 30, 2021, the Commission awarded the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) $27 million in grant funding for the State Highway 365 Project which is from FM 396 (Anzalduas Highway) and extends east and south to US 281 (Military Highway), a distance of approximately 12.2 miles in Hidalgo County. The members of the Hidalgo County legislative delegation have been working with the Commission, RMA leadership, and TxDOT staff to secure these funds to move this project forward.

"I appreciate the Texas Transportation Commission's unanimous approval of the $27 million in grant funding so that the RMA can move forward with the construction of the SH 365 Project," said Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa. He added, "For the past several years I have been working with RMA Chairman David Deanda, facilitating meetings with TxDOT staff, and making sure this project remained in the Unified Transportation Program (UTP)." The UTP is TxDOT's 10-year plan that guides the development of transportation projects across the state. "I also want to thank Terry Canales, Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, and all the members of our legislative delegation for their letters of support, phones calls to the Commission, and tireless commitment to this project," said Senator Hinojosa.

In a letter Senator Hinojosa sent to the Commission prior to the meeting, he wrote, "This is a project that will significantly improve our communities by diverting nearly one million international trucks per year from our local roads through neighborhoods and school zones where they cause significant safety issues and are a strain on an already congested system." After the meeting, Senator Hinojosa re-emphasized the importance of this project, "In a recent report from TxDOT, it is estimated that the number of northbound commercial vehicles and rail crossings in the Texas-Mexico border is forecast to grow from a combined 5.6 million in 2019 to 14.9 million in 2050," said Senator Hinojosa. "For this reason, it is important that we invest in our infrastructure so that Texans can reap the financial benefits and the number of jobs trade with Mexico generates for the Texas economy. This is an important investment for the future of the Valley."

The State Highway 365 project was a priority for the Hidalgo County RMA, the RGV Metropolitan Planning Organization, and many business and community leaders in the Rio Grande Valley. The Hidalgo County RMA now has until May 1, 2022 to execute a construction contract for this project.

###