On the two-year anniversary of President Biden signing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), declared over $1.2 billion in federal funding allocated for South Texas. The landmark law has been instrumental in addressing critical needs, including roads, broadband, water systems, airports, and legacy pollution cleanup in the region. These infrastructure projects aim to enhance the quality of life for residents and generate employment opportunities.
As a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee, Dr. Cuellar highlighted the significant impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on the 28th Congressional District of Texas. The secured federal funds will ensure that South Texans have improved infrastructure for safe commuting between home, work, and school, fostering economic development and growth in local communities.
Dr. Cuellar, who played a pivotal role in passing the law in 2021, expressed confidence in the lasting effects of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He emphasized his commitment to continue advocating for infrastructure improvements in Congress.
Key projects in TX-28 include:
- $10.4 million for the improvement of FM 2924 in Atascosa County
- $3 million for the enhancement of IH 35 in Atascosa County
- $304,000 allocated for Pleasanton Municipal Airport
- $100,000 for Universal City to install water meters, facilitating accurate real-time water usage data collection
- $3.2 million granted to VIA Metropolitan Transit for the purchase of 15 new vehicles
- $126,000 earmarked for a new bridge on South Tovar Street at San Diego Creek in Duval County
- $173 million dedicated to widening IH-10 in Guadalupe County
- $223,000 allocated for Jim Hogg County Airport
- $10 million for the improvement of SH 16 in McMullen County
- $3 million designated for the enhancement of SL 195 in Starr County
- $63.5 million for interchange improvements on US 59 in Webb County
- $7.4 million for the acquisition of 14 new El Metro buses in Laredo
- $29.8 million for the widening of US 83 in Zapata County
Additionally, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been instrumental in addressing environmental concerns, including the plugging of 27 orphan wells and saving approximately 71,000 households an estimated $25.6 million on broadband costs in TX-28.
To date, $28 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced for over 699 specific projects in Texas, encompassing roads, bridges, broadband access, water infrastructure, electric vehicle charging networks, weatherization programs, airports, and environmental reclamation initiatives. The breakdown includes $16.6 billion for Texas roads, $3.3 billion for broadband access, $58.4 million for middle-mile broadband infrastructure, $1 billion for water infrastructure, $234.1 million for electric vehicle chargers, $173.2 million for weatherization programs, $669.6 million for Texas airports, and $105.7 million for capping orphaned oil and gas wells and reclaiming abandoned mine lands.
