Everything Luis Diaz said at the recent South Texas Manufacturers Association meeting

MCALLEN, Texas - Luis Diaz, the interim executive director of the RGVMPO, gave a detailed update on his group’s work at a recent South Texas Manufacturers Association meeting.RGVMPO stands for Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization. The STMA meeting took place at the DoubleTree Suites McAllen.In his 30-minute power point presentation, Diaz explained what RGVMPO does and which entities it works closely with, such the bigger cities in the Valley, TxDOT, Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority, and Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority.With regard to the RMAs, Diaz listed all the major projects the two entities are working on. Some of the projects Hidalgo County RMA has listed as a priority do not have funding, Diaz explained. He said these were effectively on a “wish list.”The project that garnered the most interest from the audience was a TxDOT project - the Pharr Interchange. Diaz said the completion of the project should come next Spring. This drew a round of applause from the audience.Here is what Diaz said about the Pharr Interchange project:“So here is, I guess, the project that's on most people's minds nowadays, the (Pharr) Interchange, It's a headache for everybody, I know, but it's going to be done soon. So, I want everyone to know that the MPO is not involved in any way. What's going on there? That is TxDOT right now along with the consultant, Dragados-Pulice. They're developing the project. They're actually moving very quickly, believe it or not. The eastbound lanes right now, they're expected to be done mid- to late-November, which is your top picture there. And the bottom picture, which is your Harlingen to Edinburg, they plan on having that one done by December of this year as well. With ultimate completion of the Pharr Interchange spring of 2024.”The audience applauded.Diaz also spoke about another TxDOT project, the I-69 Connector.“This is a really relevant project to the region because this will be the gateway from I-69C to I-69E, which will be a gateway to the eventual new causeway to the island. So this is important for that reason. So, right now, what is undergoing is actually a feasibility study to identify where would be the good alignment for that project.”Here is an audio recording of Diaz’s presentation.Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.