TxDOT’s Atlanta District kicked off its virtual public meeting for the 2025-2028 Rural Transportation Improvement Program Wednesday, inviting the public’s input on transportation projects planned throughout the region for the next four years.
“Projects are located in Bowie, Camp, Cass, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Panola Titus and Upshur counties,” Adrian Walton, advance planning engineer for TxDOT’s Atlanta District, explained in the meeting.
Comments will be accepted by TxDOT through Monday, June 24.
“It’s important for you to participate because funding secured by this process is intended to address your community’s most immediate needs,” said Walton. “By providing comments on the projects included you’re helping us identify regional priorities. By reviewing the entire program in a single meeting you are, number one, making a regional impact; No. 2 helping us be more intentional with your money; and number three ensuring that we’re investing where we should.”
Walton noted that the Rural Transportation Improvement Program, also known as Rural TIP, is a list of local projects to be funded within a TxDOT district over the next four years. This includes projects that are eligible for federal funding.
“This means all projects included in the list are expected to be underway within four ways following its approval,” he said.
Walton explained that the program includes multi-motor projects, which are projects related to highway improvements, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, transit services and freight projects.
“The Rural TIP is meant to show regional agreement on the need and priority for transportation projects so that all parties involved can be sure they’re making the best investment for their respective communities,” the engineer said. “It’s also expected to be consistent with the projects and objectives included in the regional long range transportation plan to ensure that all agencies are working toward the same goal.”
Official said the Rural TIP is the first step on the road to producing a Statewide Transportation Improvement Program or STIP.
“As a result of the program rules being established by federal law, no project can receive federal funding unless it is listed in the Rural Transportation Improvement Program,” said Walton.
Harrison County Projects
The first individual project on the 2025-2028 Rural TIP for Harrison County is: to construct the first phase of an ultimate four-lane divided controlled access roadway (future Interstate 369, future hurricane route). This will be started four miles of State Loop 390, beginning 0.7 miles north of U.S. 80 to Interstate 20. The estimated cost is $262,745,629.
The second individual project on the Rural TIP for Harrison County is: to construct an interchange at new location U.S. 59 relief route (future I-369), including ramps and one-way frontage roads. This will be two miles of Interstate 20, from 0.52 miles east of U.S. 59 to 0.21 miles west of FM 31, at an estimated cost of $142,544,404.
Harrison County’s third individual project on the Rural TIP list is: to construct an interchange at new location U.S. 59 relief route (future I-369) including ramps and one-way frontage roads at a cost of $6,454,190. This will be 0.21 miles of I-20, starting 0.21 miles west of FM 31 to FM 31.
The let date or bid receive date for all three of those projects is September 2027.
Several group projects are outlined for Harrison County. Seal coat projects for fiscal year 2025 include: Texas 43 from the Marion County line to Texas Spur 449 at an estimated cost of $312,876; State Loop 390 from U.S. 59 to U.S. 80 at an estimated cost of $423,360; State Loop 390 from U.S. 59 to Texas 43 North at an estimated cost of $328,176; and FM 3001 from the Marion County Line to FM 1997 at an estimated cost of $159,264.
Another group project include to construct paved shoulders (1-4 feet, increase super-elevation) at U.S. 59 from one mile south of FM 1997 to 1 mile north of State Loop 390 at an estimated cost of $3,441,132; replace bridge and approaches at County Road 1301 at Eight Mile Creek at an estimated cost of $1,063,500; and rehabilitate existing westbound interstate highway at I-20 from FM 450 to 0.5 miles west of Texas 43 at an estimated cost of $3,300,000.
Group seal coat projects for fiscal year 2026 in Harrison County include: FM 1186 from U.S. 59 to the Panola County line at an estimated cost of $276,840; at State Loop 390 from Texas 43 to US 80 at an estimated cost of $211,320; at FM 1968 from the Marion County line to FM 450 at an estimated cost of $188,244; and at FM 1998 from FM 2199 to FM 134 at an estimated cost of $253,800.
Another group project includes the resurfacing of an existing four-lane roadway at Texas 43 from U.S. 59 to State Loop 390 at an estimated cost of $2,400.
Group seal coat projects for fiscal year 2027 for Harrison County include Texas 154 from FM 2208 to Little Cypress Creek at an estimated cost of $265,644; at Texas 154 from Little Cypress Creek to State Loop 390 at an estimated cost of $577,800; at FM 450 from Texas 154 to 3.58 miles south of Texas 154 at an estimated cost of $214,776; at FM 450 from 4.1 miles south of Texas 154 to FM 449 at an estimated cost of $198,036; at FM 2625 from FM 968 to FM 3251 at an estimated cost of $535,860; at FM 3251 from FM 968 to FM 2625 at an estimated cost of $488,232.
Another group project includes the reconstruction of an intersection with concrete paving at U.S. 80 at the FM 2199 intersection at a cost of $9,453,804. Additionally, the plan for Harrison County includes to construct acceleration/deceleration lanes on U.S. 59 at North Marshall Industrial Avenue. The plan also includes the widening of existing roadway to add shoulders at Texas 43 from Haggerty Creek to 0.3 miles south of Texas Spur 449 at an estimated cost of $22,900,000. Lastly, the plan in Harrison County includes to rehabilitate and widen (0.3 miles to 0.7 miles south of U.S. 80 existing two-lane highway) from FM 450 to railroad south of U.S. 80 to I-20 at an estimated cost of $3,751,667.
“Big projects are categorized as regionally significant projects. They’re included as standalone projects,” explained Walton. “To simplify the budgeting and planning process, smaller projects are lumped together into 11 separate subcategories, referred to as grouped projects.”
Officials noted that group projects can include: preliminary engineering, right of way acquisitions, preventative maintenance and rehabilitation, bridge replacement and rehabilitation, railroad grade separations, safety, landscaping, intelligent transportation system deployment, bicycle and pedestrian refers to the construction or rehabilitation of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths and facilities, rest areas and truck weigh stations, transit improvements.
Public Comment Needed
By participating in the public comment period, residents can provide input concerning 194 overall projects listed in the Rural TIP. The comment period allows residents to also give their opinion on which projects should be prioritized first and why.
“The Rural TIP process includes opportunities to provide input on the priority of major projects that are listed on it. Local and small projects around your community dealing with safety and access also get funding through the Rural TIP, for example: road expansions, sidewalks, bike lanes, pavement repair or maintenance, new or improved signals, turning lanes,” TxDOT officials indicated.
TxDOT official said projects are identified and selected by evaluating existing and future needs based on current conditions and projections, statewide and regional plans, along with public input concerning transportation priorities.
“Rural transportation organizations, metropolitan planning organizations and local governments are responsible for helping to identify and select projects in the state transportation system and other national roadways within their boundaries in coordination with TxDOT,” said Walton. “This includes interstates, state and US highways as well as Farm to Market Roads. The projects you review today should be responsive to local needs. It’s our responsibility to provide you with the opportunity to provide input on which projects are being developed.”
“Once projects have been defined, they are evaluated according to their scale and classified according to the funding they require, as well as their potential impact,” he said.
Residents, who missed the virtual public meeting, can view it online on TxDOT’s website, www.txdot.gov or visit https://www.txdot.gov/projects/hearings-meetings/atlanta/2024/2025-2028-atlanta-rtip-050724.html.
“The Rural TIP meeting is being held pursuant to Title 43, Texas Administrative Code, Section 16.102, which calls for an opportunity for public comment concerning the Rural TIP. A pre-recorded presentation, exhibits explaining how the Rural TIP operates, and projects that are included in it will be available to view at the virtual public meeting,” noted TxDOT Atlanta District Public Information Officer Heather Deaton. “All community members are encouraged to attend the virtual public meeting and provide comments on the proposed program.”
Comments may be mailed to: TxDOT Atlanta District, Attention: Rural TIP, 701 E Main St Atlanta, TX 75551
