WESLACO, Texas – U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez has secured more money for Hidalgo County’s Nolana Loop Expansion project.

The project is a top priority for Precinct 1 Commissioner David Fuentes and Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo ‘Eddie’ Cantu.

Gonzalez, D-McAllen, announced the award Mar. 22, as part of $15,622,100 in Community Project Funding for the 34th Congressional District of Texas.

“I was proud to secure $4 million for Hidalgo County’s Nolana Loop Expansion Project. The loop’s current chokepoint backs up traffic and creates unsafe conditions for commuters and residents alike,” Gonzalez told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.

“The expansion project will expand the road from two lanes to five, ensuring that current and future traffic flows safely and efficiently.”

Commissioner Fuentes confirmed that expanding Nolana Avenue from McAllen to Weslaco is one of his top transportation priorities.

“One of the important things for me is to try to create an east-west corridor. Aside from the expressway and 107 there’s a really big gap in there. And I’m trying to work with Precinct 2 to try to get funding to create that Nolana extension from McAllen all the way to FM 88, which is Texas Boulevard, in Weslaco. That will provide another five-lane east-west corridor for us to be able to have alternative routes,” Fuentes said.

Asked why the Nolana expansion project is important, Fuentes said:

“Because that’s where the density of our population is. Everything north of the expressway is where the majority of the growth (in Hidalgo County) is going to happen. And in between Weslaco and Elsa, there really isn’t any way to get to our neighbors over there on the west.

Fuentes confirmed that Precinct 2 took the lead on the project early on.

“Really, Precinct 2 created this project. But we’re trying to help find the resources and the money to be able to extend it all the way into Precinct 1. It would give us another alternative route.”

Fuentes added: “I think all of us have tried to stay away from Expressway 83 during the construction of the last three years. It gets so congested and there just is nowhere else to go unless you go south to 281 or you go north to 107. And you are kind of stuck on 107 because it is being worked on right now, too. So, they have a lot of traffic backup as well.”

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