Texas DOT Backlog Report - October 2026
Before the Next Letting, $16.53B Is Already on the Books
Every new TxDOT letting enters a market that already holds significant active work. This workload is not evenly distributed, leading to a varied landscape across districts.
The current statewide active backlog stands at $16.53B, encompassing 2,861 active projects across 25 districts. Active backlog reflects the remaining value tied to these projects, while change orders represent additional contract value added after the award.
Dallas leads the districts with an active backlog of $4.32B and 247 projects, while Fort Worth has the highest change order percentage at 22.1%. Comparatively, Austin displays a strong backlog as well, with $2.01B over 129 projects. These variances illustrate the complex nature of ongoing work in different regions.
Understanding both district totals and individual projects helps outline the landscape of current active work. The market remains robust, reflecting a large existing backlog alongside ongoing projects.
Interactive District View
The interactive district view shows how active backlog and change orders are distributed across Texas. One view highlights where remaining active backlog is concentrated, while the other reveals where approved change orders are prevalent.
These views emphasize different aspects of the active market. For instance, Dallas showcases the largest backlog, while Fort Worth's significant change order percentage underscores the shifts in contract values post-award.
Dallas Is Carrying the Largest Remaining Workload
Dallas holds the largest active backlog at $4.32B, with 247 active projects. It accounts for a significant share of the state’s ongoing work. In contrast, Austin, with a backlog of $2.01B, manages this amount across only 129 projects, indicating a higher value per project.
Following Dallas, Houston reports a backlog of $1.76B with a greater number of projects at 312. Comparing these figures, the volume of projects does not fully reflect the distribution of the remaining dollars. Additionally, Fort Worth's backlog of $942.35M, despite fewer projects, emphasizes its high change order percentage at 22.1%.
Project count explains part of the market, but it does not fully capture where remaining dollars are concentrated.
| Rank | District | Active backlog | Projects | Change order % | Change orders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DALLAS | $4.32B | 247 | 1.9% | $149.51M |
| 2 | AUSTIN | $2.01B | 129 | 4.8% | $214.07M |
| 3 | HOUSTON | $1.76B | 312 | 8.2% | $443.94M |
| 4 | SAN ANTONIO | $1.23B | 169 | 4.0% | $217.84M |
| 5 | FORT WORTH | $942.35M | 153 | 22.1% | $624.09M |
| 6 | BRYAN | $791.47M | 131 | 6.1% | $88.90M |
| 7 | BEAUMONT | $667.14M | 123 | 6.7% | $113.82M |
| 8 | PHARR | $583.26M | 115 | 5.6% | $70.18M |
| 9 | EL PASO | $486.81M | 96 | 12.7% | $170.53M |
| 10 | YOAKUM | $480.27M | 122 | 2.1% | $39.53M |
| 11 | CORPUS CHRISTI | $475.00M | 138 | 4.2% | $47.43M |
| 12 | LAREDO | $332.97M | 78 | 3.3% | $26.17M |
| 13 | AMARILLO | $311.19M | 70 | 1.6% | $16.23M |
| 14 | TYLER | $303.82M | 150 | 7.5% | $67.90M |
| 15 | WICHITA FALLS | $294.39M | 74 | 1.6% | $14.54M |
| 16 | PARIS | $293.59M | 129 | 6.4% | $82.18M |
| 17 | ODESSA | $293.04M | 142 | 5.8% | $67.35M |
| 18 | WACO | $226.45M | 55 | 3.8% | $26.89M |
| 19 | ATLANTA | $157.50M | 71 | 10.8% | $50.73M |
| 20 | LUFKIN | $143.69M | 61 | 4.4% | $28.99M |
| 21 | LUBBOCK | $114.89M | 68 | 3.4% | $16.05M |
| 22 | ABILENE | $102.94M | 49 | 2.3% | $7.23M |
| 23 | BROWNWOOD | $70.72M | 97 | 7.2% | $19.65M |
| 24 | SAN ANGELO | $60.38M | 58 | 8.2% | $25.45M |
| 25 | CHILDRESS | $57.37M | 24 | 7.2% | $9.59M |
Change Orders Add a Second View
The statewide change order percentage stands at 6.0%. This metric highlights the additional value added to contracts after they are awarded.
Fort Worth stands out with a notable change order percentage of 22.1%, amounting to over $624.09M in change orders. Houston follows with substantial change orders totaling $443.94M and a 8.2% change order percentage, indicating significant contract value increases in both districts.
Where backlog reflects remaining project values, change orders provide insight into financial dynamics post-award, illustrating regions with expanding contract scopes.
Notable Active Projects
Individual projects further illustrate district-level trends concerning remaining balances and change order activity. Noteworthy examples include the largest active backlog project in Dallas, CCSJ 2374-01-137, with a backlog of $1.71B.
In the change order landscape, CCSJ 0008-13-125 in Fort Worth commands attention, presenting a backlog of $655.30M and an exceptional change order amount of $451.41M, leading to a significant change order percentage of 28.4%. Additionally, CCSJ 0015-13-433 in Austin reveals substantial backlog at $434.06M, alongside notable change order activity.
The table below shows the largest active projects by remaining backlog.
| CCSJ | Project | District | Active backlog | Change orders | Change order % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2374-01-137 | CCSJ 2374-01-137 (project NH 1902(389)) | DALLAS | $1.71B | $0 | 0.0% |
| 0009-11-254 | CCSJ 0009-11-254 (project F 2025(365)) | DALLAS | $697.23M | $3.51M | 0.4% |
| 0008-13-125 | CCSJ 0008-13-125 (project F 2022(675)) | FORT WORTH | $655.30M | $451.41M | 28.4% |
| 0049-12-110 | CCSJ 0049-12-110 (project F 2025(274)) | BRYAN | $503.55M | $2.87M | 0.4% |
| 0015-13-428 | CCSJ 0015-13-428 (project F 2024(833)) | AUSTIN | $500.68M | $-7.69M | -1.0% |
Overall, these projects indicate where significant financial commitments lie within active districts.
What the Current Active Market Looks Like
The current active market features a statewide backlog of $16.53B against a total of 2,861 active projects. Dallas leads in backlog, while Fort Worth shows the most significant change order percentages.
Active backlogs and change orders highlight contrasting aspects of project dynamics. The varied landscape across districts, especially when districts like Austin maintain large backlogs with fewer projects, shapes the overall picture of ongoing civil construction in Texas.