Interstate 169 (Texas)

I-169/SH 550 acts as a connector between I-69E/U.S. Highway 77 (US 77)/US 83 and the Port of Brownsville. The highway was constructed on the same routing as FM 511 from its connection with I-69E and US 77/US 83 southeastward to FM 3248. Only the stretch between the I-69E/US 77/US 83 interchange and Old Alice Road, however, is currently signed as I-169, and SH 550 is currently also incomplete, running along incomplete freeway segments and frontage roads. Separated travel lanes, intended to be the frontage roads, were the first stage of construction from I-69E and US 77/US 83 to FM 3248. Flyover bridges have been constructed at FM 1847 and at two rail crossings. The second stage of construction built a new divided limited-access highway, which splits from FM 511 at FM 3248 and travels southeast to a new entry point for the Port of Brownsville, and a new crossover bridge at Old Port Isabel Road. The third stage that will complete the mainlanes on the stage-one portion and construct exit ramps directly to and from I-69E and US 77/US 83 at Olmito, began in March 2013. The route is a toll route, but the second and third stages of the route are being funded with $36 million (equivalent to $ in ) of funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. According to local authorities in Cameron County, upon full completion, the route will be signed as I-169 as a spur route of I-69E. ==History==

The first segment of SH 550 was opened and designated on July 25, 2008, despite the first stage of construction having been expected to be completed in 2010, with bidding for the final sections. The first phase of the route opened on March 10, 2011, with tolling for the bridge over FM 1847 beginning on May 11, 2011. Phase two, which created a new limited access highway from FM 3248 to a new entrance to the Port of Brownsville, was opened on June 1, 2013. The I-169 designation along SH 550 between I-69E/US 77/US 83 and Old Alice Road was approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) on May 13, 2015. I-169 was officially designated along the portion of SH 550 between I-69E/US 77/US 83 and Old Alice Road on December 17, 2015. On February 16, 2016, I-169 signs were unveiled by state and local officials along the designated section. On March 26, 2020, the I-169 designation will extend east along SH 550 to the end of the freeway east of FM 1847. ==Future==

I-169 will extend over the SH 550 freeway to the Port of Brownsville to make an interstate connection. Although the route has not been completed, construction for SH 550 to the Port of Brownsville is planned after environmental clearance is completed. ==Exit list==