LUFKIN, TX The Texas Transportation Commission last week approved plans that include the possible funding of $2.5 billion in construction projects over the next 10 years, with $378 million designated for the Lufkin District. The funding is aimed at enhancing safety, reducing congestion, improving connectivity and maintaining the highway system statewide.

The projects are part of the Unified Transportation Program (UTP), which is a 10-year planning document that guides project development leading to project approval, funding, construction and planning and development activities. The program is developed annually, and while it is not a budget and does not serve as a guarantee that projects will be built, it is a critical tool in project development in a long-term context. It serves as a commitment that TxDOT makes to future construction projects.

Lufkin District projects included in the UTP are:

Angelina County: A $65 million project on US 69 designed to widen the roadway from two lanes to a four lane divided highway from FM 844 to Zavalla, Texas, and the construction of an overpass at SH 63. The project could be funded in summer 2018.

Angelina County: A $13.4 million project on US 69 designed to widen the roadway from two lanes to a four lane divided highway from SH 63 to FM 1270. The project could be funded in summer 2018

Angelina County: A $34.9 million project on US 69 designed to widen the roadway from two lanes to a four lane divided highway from FM 1270 to the Jasper County line. The project could be funded in fall 2018

Angelina County: A $142.1 million project on US 59 to construct the Diboll Relief Route that will include construction of a new four lane roadway that will meet interstate standards and be located east of Diboll from FM 2108 to 1.1 mile south of White Oak Creek. The project could be funded in fall 2019.

Angelina County: A $13.5 million project on US 59 designed to upgrade the roadway to interstate standards by constructing frontage roads from Old Moffett Road to SH 103. The project could be funded in summer 2020.

Angelina County: A $20.6 million project on US 59 designed to upgrade the roadway to interstate standards by constructing frontage roads from south of FM 2021 to north of US 59/SL 287. The project could be funded in winter 2022.

Nacogdoches County: A $75.5 million project on US 59 at SL 224 designed for the construction of two-way direct connectors and frontage roads along SL 224 that will meet interstate standards. The project could be funded in winter 2019.

Houston County: A $12.8 million project on SH 21 from the east end of the Trinity River Bridge to FM 1280 designed to reconstruct pavement and add passing lanes. The project could be funded in summer 2018.