Feasibility Studies
The Technical Mandate
The Ports-to-Plains Interstate Feasibility Study, mandated by Texas House Bill 1079, serves as the foundational technical document for advancing the Future Interstate Corridor. The study was commissioned to rigorously evaluate the costs, engineering requirements, and logistical considerations of upgrading the corridor to a continuous-flow, four-lane divided highway that meets full Interstate standards for safety, capacity, and mobility. Through detailed traffic analysis, freight forecasting, safety evaluation, and economic modeling, the study established a clear, data-driven case for corridor advancement. Its findings confirmed both the technical feasibility and national significance of the route, demonstrating strong return on investment and measurable safety benefits. These positive conclusions directly informed congressional action and led to the 2022 federal Future Interstate designation, transforming the corridor from a regional concept into a nationally recognized priority for long-term Interstate development.
Key Findings
Data from the Ports-to-Plains Interstate Feasibility Study confirms that the Future Interstate Corridor delivers strong economic returns, supports agriculture and energy production, and strengthens international trade — demonstrating clear national, regional, and multi-sector value that justifies continued federal and state investment.
Verified Economic & Performance Impact
$90.3B in total economic benefits over 20 years compared to $27.4B in costs (BCR 2.4). 76% return on investment, with GDP gains exceeding capital costs by $17.8B. 21% reduction in crash rates, generating approximately $450M annually in safety benefits. Up to 89 minutes in travel time savings for long-haul freight movements. $4.1B per year in statewide travel cost savings by 2050. 73% growth in truck volumes projected by 2050, reaching nearly 3,800 trucks/day. 178,600 job-years supported during construction. 2,090 permanent jobs supported annually through operations and maintenance.
Source: Ports-to-Plains Interstate Feasibility Study (2020). Data validated through traffic, safety, freight, and economic modeling and used to support the 2022 federal Future Interstate designation.
Agriculture Impacts
The Ports-to-Plains Corridor supports more than $11 billion annually in agricultural production and export activity, making it one of the largest agricultural production regions in the United States. The corridor supports $12.3 billion per year in cattle production, $2.6 billion in cotton, and $2.1 billion in milk products, relying heavily on highway connectivity to reach national and global markets. 50% of all U.S. cotton is grown within the Ports-to-Plains Corridor, underscoring its national importance to agricultural supply chains. The corridor supports 98.7% of Texas fed beef production ($3.33B), 96.3% of hog production ($192M), 95.2% of peanut production ($155M), and 76% of milk production ($1.60B) statewide. Interstate upgrades improve market access, travel reliability, and safety, reducing transportation costs and spoilage risks for time-sensitive agricultural products moving to ports, processors, and border crossings.
Energy Impacts
The Ports-to-Plains Corridor is a primary source of U.S. energy independence, serving major oil, gas, wind, and solar production regions across Texas and New Mexico. The Permian Basin, located along the corridor, generated $129 billion in gross product in 2022, with projections of $145 billion (low growth) to $219 billion (high growth) by 2050. Energy activity along the corridor supports 508,000 jobs in Texas today, growing to 558,000–778,000 jobs by 2050 depending on growth scenarios. The corridor includes thousands of active oil and gas wells and is central to transporting equipment, materials, and energy products critical to national supply chains. Renewable energy is a growing driver: wind and solar generation along the corridor increased 17.4% between 2010 and 2020, with 2,821 wind turbines and 4,869 MW of solar capacity located in corridor counties. Texas ranks first in the nation for installed wind capacity, much of it dependent on highway access provided by the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. The Eagle Ford Shale, connected via the corridor, generated $3.1 billion in state and local revenues in a single year, underscoring the corridor’s fiscal importance.
International Trade Impacts
The Ports-to-Plains Corridor connects directly to three major U.S.–Mexico gateways — Laredo, Eagle Pass, and Del Rio — making it a critical spine for North American trade. In 2019 alone, these three border crossings handled $262 billion in cross-border trade, much of which moves through the corridor to the rest of the United States. By 2050, an estimated $138 billion in imports from Mexico and $53 billion in U.S. exports to Mexico destined for states outside Texas are projected to move along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. The Port of Laredo, the nation’s top inland port of entry, handled approximately $250 billion in trade annually and processes 4.5 million trucks per year. Commercial truck traffic at Laredo has increased 60% over the past decade, underscoring the need for Interstate-grade capacity and reliability. Northbound commercial vehicle crossings along the corridor are projected to reach 7.1 million annually by 2050, a 173% increase since 2009. Approximately 40% of all U.S.–Mexico trade and 30% of total U.S. world trade transits through Texas ports of entry connected by the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.
Access Official Study Documents
Explore the report hub for economic impact studies, safety analyses, freight and trade reports, and other technical data that supplement the Interstate Feasibility Study. These resources provide detailed, corridor-specific insights supporting Future Interstate planning, funding, and policy decisions.
Study Scope & Methodology
The Ports-to-Plains Interstate Feasibility Study was conducted by TxDOT and its consultants using a comprehensive, data-driven methodology designed to meet federal and state transportation planning standards. The analysis evaluated freight movement, traffic demand, safety performance, economic impacts, and long-term mobility needs across the multi-state corridor. Technical modeling incorporated travel time, crash data, cost estimates, and benefit–cost analysis to assess feasibility and return on investment. Equally important, the study was informed by extensive stakeholder engagement, including coordination with the Advisory Committee and state-based Segment Committees representing state DOTs, local governments, industry, and corridor communities. This structured input validated assumptions, refined priorities, and ensured findings accurately reflect real-world conditions, strengthening the study’s credibility and its role in supporting federal designation and funding decisions.
Related Reports & Data
Visit the report hub for economic impact, safety performance, freight, and international trade reports that supplement the Interstate Feasibility Study. These materials provide detailed, corridor-specific data supporting Future Interstate planning, investment decisions, and federal and state policy development.