Local Officials Discuss U. S. Highway 57 Expansion to Four Lanes with TxDOT
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2025
Local public officials representing the City of Eagle Pass, County of Maverick, and the Texas House of Representatives held a key meeting on Monday, December 1, 2025 with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Board of Commissioner Alex Meade, TxDOT District Engineer Epi Gonzalez, P. E., and Tom Ellis, P. E. of LAN Engineers to discuss the status of the expansion of U. S. Highway 57 to four lanes from Eagle Pass to U. S. Interstate 35.
Representing the City of Eagle Pass was Mayor Aaron Valdez, City Manager Homero Balderas, Jr., and Assistant City Manager Placido Madera, while Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantu represented the County of Maverick, and State Representative Heriberto “Eddie” Morales, Jr. represented Texas House of Representatives District 74, which includes Eagle Pass and Maverick County.
Tx DOT has approved the expansion of U. S. Highway 57 from two to four lanes from Eagle Pass to U. S. Interstate 35 near Moore, Texas, a 98 miles stretch of highway, as well as the completion of Loop 480 in Eagle Pass. “These two TxDOT projects are critical for the future and economic development of Eagle Pass and Maverick County,” said State Representative Heriberto “Eddie” Morales, Jr.
“I remain committed to keeping n our local infrastructure needs at the forefront of TxDOT’s priorities and delivering the results our communities deserve. Together, we’re working to build safer roadways for every driver and build up our regional economy,” Morales said.
The expansion of U. S. Highway 57 from two to four lanes will also assist the State of Texas to increase international trade between Mexico, United States, and Canada, noted TxDOT Commissioner Alex Meade.
Mexico is the United States largest trading partner with international trade between the two countries reaching $935.1 Billion in 2024, according to the U. S. Trade Representative Office. International trade between the United States and Mexico increases steadily annually due to the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA).
Similarly, Mexico is the largest trade partner of the State of Texas with total trade between Mexico and Texas reaching up to $281.2 Billion in 2024, according to the Texas Department of Economic Development and Tourism. Mexico has been Texas’ number one trading partner for the past 17 years,
Mexico was Texas’ number one export destination in 2024 with $123.7 Billion in exports. In addition, Mexico was Texas’ number one import source country in 2024 with $157.5 billion in imports.
The Port of Entry at Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico is a strategic player among the rising U. S.-Mexico trade numbers with a total of $43.75 Billion passing through the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras Port in 2024. A total of $30.48 Billion in imports crossed through Eagle Pass while another $13.27 Billion were exported through Eagle Pass.
Expansion of U. S. Highway 57 from two to four lanes is imminent and a top priority for TxDOT as it is part of the Border Transportation Master Plan. Eagle Pass is only one of two southern ports of entry without a four lane divided highway connection to a major U. S. Interstate Highway.
Construction on expansion of U. S. Highway 57 is anticipated to commence in 2026 and will take several years to complete. Once completed, the newly expanded U. S. Highway 57 divided four lane highway will play a pivotal role in developing the entire southwest Texas-Mexico border region while connecting it to all of the growing United States, Mexico, and Canada international trade.
In Mexico, Highway 57 connects Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico to Mexico City, a distance of 809 miles, through central Mexican states and key industrial centers. The State of Coahuila has committed to improving Highway 57 to four lanes to take advantage of the expansion of the City of Eagle Pass’ Camino Real International Bridge from six to 12 lanes in the immediate future. International trade is certain to grow in Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras with Highway 57 expansion into a four lanes divided highway in both Texas and Mexico being the catalyst for this growth.
Local public representatives vowed to remain vigilant in advocating for the full and quick development and construction of the U. S. Highway 57 four lane expansion project with TxDOT.
