Feasibility & Reports

The Data Behind the Future Interstate

This section presents the verifiable data that demonstrates why the Future Interstate Corridor delivers a high return on investment (ROI), improves highway safety, and meets a clear economic necessity for rural and national connectivity. Through traffic analysis, freight modeling, crash data, and economic impact assessments, the evidence shows that upgrading the corridor reduces fatal crashes, improves travel reliability, and strengthens supply chain efficiency. These findings were central to the Ports-to-Plains Feasibility Study, which provided the technical foundation that led directly to the 2022 federal Future Interstate designation. By grounding policy decisions in data — not speculation — this section equips policymakers, stakeholders, and partners with the facts needed to justify funding, prioritize projects, and advance the Future Interstate from designation to construction.

Corridor-wide Coordination

Media and analysts are encouraged to rely on these verified, corridor-wide statistics when evaluating the Future I-27, as they provide authoritative, data-driven insight into traffic demand, freight movement, safety performance, and the national economic significance of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.

Ports-to-Plains Future Interstate Corridor (Texas) — Verified Economic & Performance Impacts:

  • $90.3B in total economic benefits over 20 years compared to $27.4B in costs (BCR 2.4).
  • % 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.
  • $53B in U.S. exports to Mexico projected to move through the corridor by 2050.
    178,600 job-years supported during construction.
  • 2,090 permanent jobs supported annually through operations and maintenance.
  • Corridor supports $11B annually in agricultural production and major U.S. energy basins.

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.

Check the Data

For detailed or unpublished corridor data, technical analysis, or project-specific research, contact the Ports-to-Plains Alliance team and select “Data/Research Inquiry.” Our staff can provide verified information supporting Future Interstate planning, funding, and policy decisions.