Starr County leaders on State Loop 195: It’s been a long time coming

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas - The Texas Department of Transportation was joined by elected officials and community leaders to kick off construction for the eagerly-awaited State Loop 195 project in Starr County on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. 

The new 17.24-mile-long roadway will be constructed in three phases and will serve as a US 83 relief route. It will run from FM 755 in Rio Grande City to the US 83/Loma Blanca Road intersection in Roma, just north of Roma High School. 

After the groundbreaking ceremony had concluded, the RGG Business Journal secured an exclusive interview with Starr County Judge Eloy Vera. Vera said the project has been a long time coming. 

Starr County Judge Eloy Vera. (Photo: RGG/Steve Taylor)

Here is the interview:

The Journal also secured an exclusive interview with Starr County Industrial Foundation President Rose Benavidez. Benavidez also said the project has been a long time coming.

Rose Benavidez, president of Starr County Industrial Foundation. (Photo: RGG/Steve Taylor)

Here is the interview:

Later, the Journal secured an exclusive interview with Cynthia Garcia Fuentes, public relations and marketing director in the Starr County Judge’s Office. Like Vera and Benavidez, Garcia Fuentes also said the project has been a long time coming.

Cynthia Garcia Fuentes, public relations and marketing director in the Starr County Judge’s Office. (Photo: RGG/Steve Taylor)

Garcia Fuentes also spoke about the growth in Starr County.

Here is the interview: