With no reauthorization bill in sight, Texas slashes $6.6 billion from transportation budget

An official said the program may receive additional funding when a federal reauthorization bill passes.

1 minute read

October 28, 2026, 6:00 AM PDT

By Zachary Whalen


A texas bus drives down a multi lane road

The 2027 Unified Transportation Program funding will cover fiscal years 2027-2036. | Felipe Sanchez

The Texas Transportation Commission's 2027 Unified Transportation Program invests $95 billion in projects, down 6.5% from the 2026 plan's $101.6 billion investment. Joe Kiery, vice president of operations at the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, said TxDOT reduced funding for the 2027 plan because the federal government has not yet passed a reauthorization bill, leaving the state in the dark about how much federal funding transportation will receive.

“Because the agency doesn’t know how much federal funding will be coming, [Kiery] said officials had to budget conservatively. It’s possible a federal reauthorization bill could pass and provide even more funding, he said,” Mella McEwen writes for Midland Reporter-Telegram.

The 2027 UTP funding will cover fiscal years 2027-2036. Funding for development and routine maintenance brings the total amount invested in the 2027 plan to $138 billion. 

Monday, October 26, 2026 in Midland Reporter-Telegram

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