Permian Strategic Partnership urges citizens to comment on Odessa District funding after TxDot unveils UTP 2025 Draft

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Permian Strategic Partnership is encouraging public participation to secure funds after TxDot recently unveiled its Unified Transportation Program 2025 draft.

According to the Permian Strategic Partnership, TxDots’s Unified Transportation Program (UTP) is a “roadmap” that is used to prioritize and assign funding for thousands of Texas transportation projects- with $3.9 billion in funding allocated for the Odessa District.

“The projects funded by the UTP will improve accessibility, relieve congestion, and – most importantly – make our roads safer,” says Debra Richmond, Road Safety Director for the Permian Strategic Partnership. “Major projects receiving new funding this year are the I-20 Widening Project in Ector and Midland Counties and the US 285 Widening Project in Reeves County,” Richmond said.

As of now, TxDOT’s UTP 2025 draft listed the following funding targets for the Odessa District which can be found below:

As of now, the draft also listed Odessa’s total authorized funding for statewide connectivity and strategic priority through fiscal years 2025-2034.

• Statewide connectivity for the Odessa District: $599,449,000
• Strategic priority for the Odessa District: $853,230,778

Although funding for the Odessa District is listed, the Unified Transportation Program released these targets as a draft, meaning they can be subject to change.

That is why the Permian Strategic Partnership specifically called for Permian residents to submit a comment in support of the Odessa District’s proposed funding and to encourage additional funding for key projects, should new funds be made available.

The following priority Permian Promise projects are examples of projects that are still in need of TxDOT funding:

• I-20 Project 4 in Odessa
• I-20 Project 5 in Midland
• SH 302 from US 285 to FM 2019
• The Pecos Relief Route
• The remainder of the US 285 Corridor

“As proud residents of the Permian, we have a crucial stake in securing this financial support. The Commission is accepting public comments until August 5, 2024, and we ask that you join us in voicing support for this much-needed funding,” Permian Strategic stated.

To voice support for this funding, visit this online comment form by August 5th.

TxDot will also host a virtual meeting on Wednesday, July 31 at 2 p.m., for those who wish to comment during the virtual public hearing. To dial in TxDOT’s meeting, use the information provided below:

Discussion Call-in: 1-800-717-1738
Conference ID: Texas DOT Public Hearing

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