Tom Green County commissioners received an update during Tuesday’s meeting on a proposed 11-mile highway project that could redirect freight traffic around San Angelo and eventually connect to the future Interstate-27 corridor.
Lauren Garduno, president and CEO of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, and Joe Kiely, vice president of operations for the organization, presented commissioners with updates on planning efforts and transportation projects affecting the Concho Valley.
The proposed San Angelo North Relief Route would connect U.S. highways 87 and 67 north of the city. A relief route is designed to move traffic, particularly freight traffic, around inner cities.
Ports-to-Plains Interstate Connection
The project is part of a larger Ports-to-Plains Corridor, a multi-state transportation initiative that improves freight movement and regional connectivity across Texas and several neighboring states. Portions of the corridor have been designated as future Interstate 27, a proposed expansion that would strengthen transportation links throughout West Texas.
The project, which began in 1998, will fully connect the far west region of Texas from Laredo, through Interstate-27, and into Colorado, where it will connect with Interstate 70 in Limon.
According to the TxDOT, the proposed roadway would be built on a new alignment north of San Angelo and would include three main lanes in each direction, along with two-lane frontage roads on both sides. Interchanges are planned at U.S. 87, U.S. 277, and U.S. 67, while grade-separated intersections would be constructed at other state and local roads.
Garduno told commissioners that two major planning efforts are currently underway: development of the proposed relief route and efforts to bring the corridor up to interstate standards.
He said TxDOT is expected to study a future interstate alignment between San Angelo and Sonora.
Garduno said Tom Green County already submitted a request for approximately $1.3 million to develop a transportation master plan that would help guide future road development and prepare for potential Interstate 14 and Interstate 27 connections.
“We have a good chance to connect to I-14 and I-27, and we have a good chance within Tom Green County, of course, to think about your master plan and how you’re going to incorporate those two major interstates into your backyard,” Garduno said.
Kiely reminded the court that continued growth around San Angelo is increasing pressure on existing county roads.
“Growth around San Angelo is placing additional demand on your county maintained roads and those roads were not originally designed for the current traffic volume,” Kiely said. “At the same time, these regional corridors continue to shape how traffic enters, exits, and circulates through the county.”
If the project advances as planned, right-of-way acquisition could begin around 2030, with construction potentially starting in 2032.
