BROWNSVILLE, Texas — The South Port Connector Road Project received environmental clearance on April 24, 2019 from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Pharr District Office, advancing the project to the construction phase.

The project is part of the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority’s (CCRMA) East Loop Corridor plan.  When complete, the South Port Connector Road will span two miles and will connect Ostos Road at the Port of Brownsville with State Highway 4.

The project will enhance the port’s intermodal connectivity, further facilitating domestic and international trade throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

“The Port of Brownsville is a valuable asset to the Texas economy and a major economic force in the region,” said John Reed, Brownsville Navigation District Chairman. “Infrastructure improvements such as the South Port Connector facilitate our efforts in strengthening the port’s position as the main hub for domestic and international trade in South Texas. Working collaboratively with Cameron County and CCRMA contribute greatly to the success of joint projects like this.”

The South Port Connector project is the result of a strategic collaboration between the port, the CCRMA, Cameron County and TxDOT – all working in unison – to create positive investment opportunities in the region.

“Cameron County and this administration are committed to working with our partners at the Port of Brownsville to ensure that we continue to build the proper infrastructure to attract industry that will provide jobs and a better quality of life for all,” said Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. “I thank the Texas Department of Transportation, the Port of Brownsville and the CCRMA for working on getting the environmental document cleared. The engineering plans are 100 percent complete and funding is in place, paving the way for the construction of the project to proceed. This important project when completed will provide additional access for future development at the port.”

The project will improve traffic accessibility to the Port of Brownsville by providing another entry and exit to and from the port. It will eventually offer direct access to commercial lanes at the Veterans International Bridge.

CCRMA Chairman Frank Parker Jr. stated, “the CCRMA is glad to be a partner with Cameron County and the Port of Brownsville on this very important infrastructure project. The CCRMA prepared the environmental document and coordinated the environmental clearance with TxDOT. This is the first phase of the overweight corridor and we are very excited to have received environmental clearance. We look forward to getting this project under construction in the very near future.”