Work is officially underway on a major transportation upgrade in the heart of Texas, as Fluor has broken ground on the long-anticipated $671 million reconstruction and widening of State Highway 6. The project, which spans a 12-mile stretch through Bryan and College Station, marks one of the region’s largest corridor investments in years.
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According to a Nov. 20 company announcement, the Irving-based contractor will expand the north-south highway from two lanes to three in each direction. The additional capacity is expected to significantly ease congestion for local commuters, freight haulers, and Texas A&M University traffic, while strengthening the broader Texas Triangle transportation network.
Fluor leaders say the start of construction represents a milestone for statewide mobility efforts. “This groundbreaking signifies the start of an exciting expansion of SH-6 that will boost traffic capacity, strengthen regional connectivity and create a safer, more efficient route for everyone,” said Shawn West, president of Fluor’s infrastructure business, in the release.
State Highway 6 is not only a lifeline for local travel — it is also part of several critical statewide designations, including the Texas Highway Freight Network, the Texas Highway Trunk System, and an official Hurricane Evacuation Route. The improvements are expected to make the corridor more resilient during emergency mobilizations and more reliable for the region’s fast-growing commercial activity.
The project also arrives at a time when national nonbuilding starts — including roads and bridges — have risen 22.9% over the past year, offering contractors new opportunities as private commercial construction slows.
Fluor expects to complete the reconstruction by the end of 2030, marking a multiyear effort that includes road widening, interchange improvements, and safety enhancements. The job adds to the firm’s expanding Texas infrastructure portfolio, which already includes the I-635 LBJ East project in Dallas and the I-35E upgrade — both nearing the finish line after years of work.
Local leaders and transportation planners have long pushed for upgrades to State Highway 6, citing population growth, rising freight traffic from regional manufacturing, and increased enrollment at Texas A&M University. The widened highway is expected to reduce bottlenecks that regularly form during peak travel times and game-day weekends.
Freight carriers traveling between Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Central Texas are also expected to benefit from the expanded corridor, which serves as an important alternative to I-45 and US-290.
Residents can expect periodic lane closures, detours, and construction staging areas throughout the multi-year schedule. However, TxDOT and Fluor have said they will coordinate to minimize disruptions as much as possible.
Once complete, the rebuilt highway is projected to enhance travel reliability, reduce crash risks, and support long-term economicdevelopment throughout Brazos County and surrounding communities.
Originally reported by Sebastian Obando in Construction Dive.
