More than 75 guests including city officials, stakeholders and community members gathered to hear Texas Department of Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr during this week’s Government Affairs Council meeting at the McAllen Chamber.

Chairman Bugg illuminated the road ahead for the state’s burgeoning growth, specifically addressing the challenges and opportunities set to shape the Rio Grande Valley’s infrastructure.

Highlighting Texas’s population surge, Chairman Bugg unveiled there was an increase of over four million people from 2010-2020, and a projected 40 million residents by 2050. The statistics spotlight an urgent need for robust transportation infrastructure. He stated the Rio Grande Valley requires local and state coordination to gain greater significant to an already accelerated infrastructure of projects.

He reported on the groundbreaking approval of a $142 billion investment for Texas’ transportation infrastructure. The investment includes the adoption of the $100 billion 10-year statewide roadway construction plan with TxDOT for projects that will enhance safety, improve congestion and connectivity, and preserve Texas roadways. The figure is a $25 billion increase from the previous year.

Bugg also updated those in attendance on the merger of the Rio Grande Valley’s three Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) which signals a continued merger of power in the region. The Texas Transportation Commission’s approval of its Unified Transportation Program (UTP) announced that $3.6 billion will be allocated for the Valley – an increase of $500 in 2015. This will result in close to 70,000 jobs per year, but also affirms the state’s commitment to the Rio Grande Valley’s growth.