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AUSTIN, TEXAS — State transportation officials' efforts to address congestion and mobility continue with the action of approving $313 million in funding for additional projects through the Proposition 14 bond program.

At its monthly meeting, the Texas Transportation Commission revised the previously approved list of projects funded through Proposition 14 bonds by adding additional projects due to cost savings realized from lower than estimated bids in other approved projects. Interstate 35 remains a focus with two of the four approved projects making improvements on I-35 W in Tarrant County for $135 million and on I-35 E in Denton County for $30 million.

“We continue to squeeze out every dollar available to address the transportation needs across the state,” said Deirdre Delisi, chair of the Texas Transportation Commission. “I-35 remains a part of the main focus of these efforts.”

Improvements will also be made on State Highway 47 in Brazos County for $8 million, constructing an overpass at the entrance to a new health science center to be built near the Easterwood Airport in Bryan. The U.S. 290/Interstate 610 interchange will get $140 million to add to the Proposition 12 funded project reconstructing the interchange in Houston, allowing safer flow from Interstate 10 westbound to U.S. 290 westbound near the interchange.

The Proposition 14 bond program authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation to borrow money on a short-term basis to improve cash flow and cash management and to issue general obligation bonds secured by the State Highway Fund to accelerate transportation projects. The bonds are repaid with money from the State Highway Fund, including motor fuels taxes and vehicle registration fees.