MDC INVESTMENT WILL MEAN QUICKER COMPLETION OF TODD DRIVE OVERPASS, NORTH HALF OF LOOP 250

(May 20, 2025) 

MIDLAND, TEXAS -- The City of Midland and Midland Development Corp. are announcing that an MDC investment will help complete an interchange at Loop 250 and Todd Drive six years earlier than expected.

“The completion of Loop 250 has been a priority for Midland leadership for many years and now we know that the final overpass is planned to start construction at Todd Drive in the next year,” Midland Mayor Lori Blong stated. “Thanks to the investment of the Midland Development Corp. to create construction documents and the leadership of our Midland city staff, we are proud to see our local investment of just under $1 million bring in state funding of $26 million for this project, six years before it was previously scheduled to begin.”

This win for local infrastructure development happened as the MDC committed $974,060 in funding to design the plans for the interchange, securing nearly $26 million in state funding.

“The MDC board is focused on utilizing MDC funds to catalyze projects that will positively impact Midland’s economy,” MDC board chair Lourcey Sams stated. “This project is in a prime growth area for Midland and exemplifies the partnership among the MDC, City of Midland, Permian Basin MPO, and TXDOT to build Midland’s infrastructure.”

The Permian Basin MPO approved a resolution to be sent to the Texas Transportation Commission that lists this interchange as a priority and requests this project to be considered as part of a FY25-28 STIP revision should funding become available.

Texas Department of Transportation officials reported at the Permian Basin MPO meeting on Monday (May 19, 2025) that the Todd Drive and Loop 250 interchange opening bid date had moved up to December of 2025. This is six years sooner than the original 2031 date. The accelerated letting date will allow construction to begin sooner than originally anticipated, increasing connectivity and safety in that area.

“The letting of the Todd Drive overpass represents a pivotal moment in the history of Midland, as it represents the completion of Loop 250,” said District 2 Councilman Jack Ladd, who is also Vice Chairman of the Permian Basin MPO’s Policy Board. “Citizens will no longer have to exit the loop to get to Interstate 20. Additionally, it is a commitment to Midland’s future development as Todd will become a major thoroughfare for those in north and east Midland and can be a release valve for those trying to go north-south in our community. I want to thank the MPO board for approving this project and TXDoT for their hard work in expediting this process.”

This is another example of the City of Midland and Midland Development Corp. working together to provide a significant return on investment.

From 2018 to 2021, $117 million of highway funding was spent on local infrastructure projects – including two other Loop 250 interchanges -- with the MDC contributing $10.3 million.

“This is a great example of using our resources to ensure critical projects that will increase safety, connectivity and convenience are completed,” District 1 Councilman Brian Stubbs said. “The completion of Loop 250 is critical to supporting the growth Midland has seen on the East side of town.  With the work of many organizations and people, Midland was able to highlight this intersection as critical.”

Those projects included main lanes and interchanges at Loop 250 and County Road 1150, Loop 250 and County Road 1140, Loop 250 and State Highway 191, South Midkiff and I-20, and the widening of State Highway 349 north of town. Because of funds committed from the MDC, all of the interchange projects were initiated and completed years earlier than TXDoT had originally planned.

“The project is the latest in a series of infrastructure project successes due directly to the council and MDC commitment to investing in our infrastructure to open up new areas for economic development,” Blong stated. “The MDC board has emphasized its commitment to investing at least 30% of MDC revenue into these sorts of economically driven infrastructure projects as we advance Midland forward together.”