Interstate 69W Texas
Overview
Interstate 69W overlays the western 1.75 miles of Loop 20 between the World Trade Bridge and IH 35 in north Laredo. This stretch doubles as the southernmost section of U.S. 59. The planned route of IH 69W takes the interstate northeast from Laredo to George West, the future north end of IH 69C, and onward to Victoria and a rendezvous with IH 69E.
Loop 20/U.S. 59 east from IH 35 will become a part of IH 69W as upgrades to the roadway are completed. A two phase project was outlined in Summer 2014 for upgrading Loop 20 to a limited access highway.1 Phase 1 involved adding ramps at the exchange with IH 35, building new overpasses for the IH 69W main lanes and extending the freeway 2.2 miles east to International Boulevard. Costing $24.5 million, work at the systems interchange with IH 35 ran until November 21, 2019.
Phase 2 is part of the US 59 Loop Upgrade project that will extend the six lane freeway southward 7.20 miles with interchanges added at Shiloh Road, Del Mar Boulevard, University Boulevard, Jacaman Boulevard and Airport Drive. Funded within the 2021-24 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, the project outlines construction of three phases:
Phase 1 - $165 million, anticipated to let for construction in September 2022, from International Boulevard south 0.4 miles.
Phase 2 - $60 million, anticipated to let for construction in August 2024, from 0.36 miles south of International Boulevard to 0.12 miles south of E Corridor Road.
Phase 3 - $60 million, anticipated to let for construction in August 2024, from 0.4 miles north of E Corridor Road to U.S. 59 and BU 59Z.
Environmental Assessments were completed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for Phases 1 and 2 and one for Phase 3 is ongoing.
Mileage by State
| Texas | 1.75 mi |
Data Sources
TxDOT Statewide Planning Map. https://www.dot.state.tx.us/apps/statewide_mapping/StatewidePlanningMap.html
History
The Texas Transportation Commission approved the redesignation of 1.4 miles of Loop 20 in Laredo as Interstate 69W on June 26, 2014. This followed approval by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on June 17, 2014.1 The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved the realignment of U.S. 59 northward from Saunders Street along Loop 20 (Bob Bullock Loop) to the World Trade Bridge on May 29, 2014. The former route along Saunders Street west to IH 35 in Laredo was renumbered as U.S. 59 Business (BU-59Z).
Work broke ground on May 23, 2016 to convert the existing at-grade crossing between Loop 20/U.S. 59 and International Boulevard into an interchange. The International Boulevard Overpass Project required no additional right of way, reducing the overall cost.2 The $22 million project wrapped up in November 2017 after 18 months of construction.3
North End 
/ International Boulevard ‐ Laredo, TX
North at 
Curving westward across the north side of Laredo, U.S. 59 (Bob Bullock Loop) upgrades to a limited access highway beyond the right in right out (RIRO) intersection with Bucky Houdmann Boulevard. 08/04/19
South End World Trade Bridge ‐ Laredo, TX
South at World Trade Bridge
IH 69W/U.S. 59 south continue just a half mile from the ramps with IH 35 to FM 1472 (Mines Road). 08/04/19
North
Leaving the port of entry and the World Trade Bridge, IH 69W and U.S. 59 span River Bank Drive ahead of the exit for FM 1472 (Mines Road). 08/04/19
North at
Green outs applied to guide signs for Exit 8 A along IH 35 north replaced SL 20 with both IH 69W and U.S. 59. Photo by Jeff Royston (03/16/16).
References
- Alliance for I-69 Texas. (2014, June 26). First Section of Interstate 69 Comes to Laredo. Retrieved from http://www.i69texasalliance.com/NewsUpdates/update%206.26.14Laredo.html
- Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). (2016, May 18). International Blvd. Overpass Project in Laredo begins May 23. Retrieved from http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/laredo/025-2016.html
- International and Loop 20 overpass project complete. (2017, November 10). KGNS-TV.