Work on the final phase of a project seeing the building of the new nearly 12-mile Borderland Expressway in El Paso is now scheduled to launch because of just-approved funding.
Members of the Texas Transportation Commission have voted to award $150 million in funding for what will be the third and final phase of the big highway project.
From the start, the Borderland Expressway has been designed to provide an alternate route to Interstate 10 for truck drivers. The route for the expressway has followed a path around the northeast side of El Paso, with the goal of pulling traffic away from the core of the city.
The project has seen the building of a new divided roadway, four 12-foot-wide travel lanes with two lanes in each direction, and a median.
The commission’s announcement comes as the Texas Department of Transportation has unveiled a 10-year, $146 billion statewide road and highway construction effort designed to keep up with current and projected population trends.
“It’s no question why so many businesses and families want to move to Texas, and this monumental investment will help us take care of everyone here, while attracting more to come in the future,” said Alvin New, acting chairman of the commission.
In a statement, Texas State Senator Cesar Blanco remarked that “with $150 million dedicated to Phase 3 of the Borderland Expressway, we are one step closer to building the infrastructure our growing region needs.”
Blanco added that the project will “relieve congestion, improve safety, and strengthen our role as a critical hub for trade and commerce.”
Phase 1 of the project, which saw the construction of new frontage roads, was completed earlier this year, with phase two, which connects to New Mexico, currently under construction.
Phase 3, with the design work already more than half done, may see completion by 2029.
August 28, 2025
By Garry Boulard
Logo courtesy Texas Department of Transportation
