Politics
Texas Legislature Approves Infrastructure and Workforce Bill, Funding Waco Highway Work and Training Sites
The measure directs state dollars toward road maintenance along routes used by Waco drivers and adds slots at area job centers.
How we reported this
The Texas Legislature passed a bill this session that sets aside new state funds for highway repairs and workforce training programs. The legislation, titled the Regional Infrastructure and Employment Support Act, applies to multiple counties including McLennan County, where Waco is located.
State budget documents released last month show that lawmakers acted after traffic counts on major corridors rose 12 percent between 2020 and 2024. The bill creates a dedicated allocation stream for projects already listed in the Texas Department of Transportation five-year plan and for training contracts administered by local workforce boards.
Changes for Waco-area roads and daily travel
Under the new law, McLennan County is scheduled to receive 47 million dollars for pavement rehabilitation on US Highway 84 and Loop 340. Those routes carry thousands of commuters each weekday between residential neighborhoods and industrial parks east of downtown Waco. The funds are expected to cover resurfacing of 18 miles of roadway and replacement of 12 aging culverts, according to project lists attached to the legislation.
Local advocates note that these segments have appeared on the city public works priority list for three consecutive years. Construction is projected to begin in spring 2027, with lane closures limited to overnight hours on most stretches.
Workforce training expansions tied to the same measure
The same statute also increases state support for vocational programs at McLennan Community College and the Heart of Texas Workforce Center. An additional 3.2 million dollars will be available for equipment purchases and instructor positions in welding, commercial driver training, and medical assistant tracks. State records indicate the college enrolled 1,850 students in these programs during the 2025 academic year.
Policy analysts say the added resources will allow the college to open 120 new training seats starting in January 2027. The bill requires quarterly reporting on enrollment and job placement rates to the Texas Workforce Commission.
State agencies must now prepare implementation rules and release the first round of project bids by October 2026. City officials in Waco have scheduled a public meeting for August to review the list of eligible local contracts.