The Permian Basin Metropolitan Planning Organization presented its draft long‑range transportation plan covering a 25‑year horizon to 2050 and described projects the MPO proposes to program and shepherd with state and federal partners.

The MPO representative explained that federal law requires communities with 50,000 or more residents to form a metropolitan planning organization and that the draft plan — released for public review on Sept. 30 — lays out projected improvements across modes for the agency’s jurisdiction, which includes Odessa, Ector County, parts of Midland County and a sliver of Martin County. The MPO said its board will seek formal approval on Nov. 18 and that the public comment period remains open through Nov. 9 via the Permian Basin MPO website and the consultant’s long‑range plan page.

Major highway projects described in the presentation include significant ongoing and planned work on I‑20 (a roughly $1.4 billion set of improvements already in work), proposed interstate segments identified as I‑14 (from Crane County) and I‑27 (from the north tying into State Highway 349), and a planning-level proposal to convert large portions of Loop 338 into freeway sections with frontage roads and new interchanges. The MPO identified a $35 million TxDOT‑funded interchange at 87th Street and Loop 338 as a notable programmed project and said other candidates include improvements at 52nd Street, West 8th Street and reconnection points where US‑385 ties into Loop 338.

The plan also lists large interchange “direct connects” (flyovers) proposed at the East Loop 338/191 location and at 191/Loop 250 on the Midland side to relieve commuter congestion. The MPO presented a 25‑year funding table showing programmed transit projections (Easy Rider transit: about $175 million over 25 years) and a larger highway estimate (roughly $3.498 billion for highways across the period).

The MPO representative emphasized the plan’s emphasis on safety and congestion relief after public comments — citing comments spikes of several hundred per day during the comment period — and said safety and congestion topped respondents’ priorities, followed by desires to increase transit and bicycling infrastructure.

Council members asked about TxDOT public‑hearing timing for major interchanges and which agency controls design and construction timing; the MPO reiterated that TxDOT controls design, NEPA and letting of construction contracts, and that local contributions (for shelf‑ready engineering) can expedite projects. The MPO also announced a public town hall on Oct. 29 at the UTPBC building and invited council participation.

The MPO recommended that residents submit comments through the public portal by Nov. 9 and noted the board will consider approval at its Nov. 18 meeting. No formal council vote was taken during the presentation.