State Highway 4 (Boca Chica Boulevard) widening

The TxDOT Pharr district is proposing improvements along approximately 14 miles of State Highway (SH) 4 (Boca Chica Blvd) from FM 1419 (Oklahoma Avenue) to LBJ Boulevard in Cameron County, Texas. The proposed improvements are expected to improve safety, increase traffic capacity, and address deficiencies along SH 4. 

Current conditions

Currently, SH 4 is a two-lane roadway with 12-foot travel lanes, 2- to 10-foot paved shoulders in each direction, and varying 0- to 4-foot flush paved median within the existing 100 to 200-foot-wide right of way.  

Project background

The SH 4 project corridor is the only east-west route between the City of Brownsville and several private, commercials and public entities, including Boca Chica Beach to the east

• Observed crashes are higher than predicted values for similar types of roadways
• The existing corridor has deficiencies including locations of limited sight distance, failing pavement, and narrow paved shoulders
• New development is underway and proposed, including the Rio West residential area

Proposed improvements

The proposed project would do the following:

• Add two 12-foot concrete travel lanes, one in each direction, on SH 4 (from approximately 2,700 feet east of FM 1415/Oklahoma Avenue to Joanna Street)
• Add an 8-foot paved shoulder in each direction
• Construct a varying 4 to 12-foot flush paved median
• Construct an 8-foot bike path in the eastbound right-of-way from Quicksilver Avenue to LBJ Boulevard (3.75 miles)
• Widen existing culverts, including the two existing bridge-class culverts

This project would be constructed entirely within the existing right of way and no right-of-way acquisition is proposed. 

Based on the project development schedule, the earliest the project would be ready to let for construction is Summer 2026. This timeline is approximate and subject to change.

Next steps

• Spring 2025: Public Meeting/Refine Schematic Design
• Summer 2025: Schematic & Environmental Approval
• Fall 2025: Environmental Permitting
• Spring 2026: Final Design
• Summer 2026: Ready to let for construction

Get involved

• March 27, 2025 – In-person public Meeting; open house format
• March 26 – April 11, 2025 - Virtual public meeting