TxDOT I-20 widening project: here’s what you need to know

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The Texas Department of Transportation launched the construction of its Interstate 20 widening project with a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, with hopes to bring relief and better connectivity to the region.

The project looks to accommodate current and future growth in West Texas through added main lanes, new interchanges, reconfiguring ramps, and converting frontage roads from two-way streets to a one-way operation.

“This is a great day and we have come a long way to get to this moment. From the state of Texas, we are delivering the resources to make projects like this happen. “When the state invests in the infrastructure of the Permian Basin, the entire state benefits from that investment many times over,” said Texas Representative Brooks Landgraf.

TxDOT said it will construct $424 million dollars in improvements to I-20 in Midland/Odessa, beginning in 2024. The first project to break ground is between east of JBS Parkway and east of CR 1300, a distance which spans about five miles. The next segment extends into Midland toward CR 1250 and will begin construction later this summer.

“Not only does it improve safety conditions, but the project will also allow the oil and gas industry to continue to do the work they need to do to power our state and our nation. We are going to continue to work with the legislature to remind them how much of that budget surplus is being generated right here in the Permian Basin, we need our portion of those funds to make sure we can continue to do that and do it safely,” said Texas Senator Kevin Sparks.

Partnerships and working together to solve transportation issues was a common theme voiced during the groundbreaking ceremony.

“It’s here! This road project has been over a decade in the works. To see this project come into fruition now, it’s very indicative of the future of the Permian Basin where all folks are on the same page. We are sending a concise message to Austin and to DC – this is the greatest return on investment. This project is the number one investment the state of Texas has made in infrastructure. We can’t understate how impactful this project will be for our community,” said Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett.

TxDOT said the project is expected to be fully opened to the public in 2028.

“What happens in the Permian Basin affects the world. Delivering these safety and mobility improvement projects go a long way to help solidify the industry in this area and help deliver the products to the rest of the world,” said TxDOT Odessa District Engineer Eric Lykins.

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