Designation as a Future Interstate

June 15, 2020 - U.S. Representatives Jodey Arrington (TX-19) and Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announce the filing of HR 7151 to designate the future extension of I-27 adding $55.6B to the Texas GDP.

U.S. Representatives Arrington and Cuellar File HR 7151 to Designate Future Extension of I-27 adding $55.6B to the Texas GDP

June 15, 2020

(LUBBOCK) – As a result of the Interstate Feasibility Study conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), U.S. Representatives Jodey Arrington and Henry Cuellar filed HR 7151 to designate the future extension of Interstate-27.

“I’m very proud to be working across the aisle with my good friend and colleague, Rep. Henry Cuellar, on this important legislation,” said U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington (TX-19). “With a stronger farm bill, a new and improved trade deal with Canada and Mexico, and one of the largest energy basins' in the world - establishing a four-lane, federal highway from West Texas through the Heartland is critical to enhancing America's agriculture and energy dominance. However you want to measure it - new jobs, economic growth, reductions in traffic and accidents - the return on investment for the Ports-to-Plains highway project is tremendous, not only for Texas, but for the entire country."

The findings of the study concluded the extension could increase Texas’ gross domestic product (GDP) by $55.6 billion, add 17,710 new jobs, decrease crash rate by 21% and save $450 million in safety improvements. Using the GDP increase, the estimated return on investment for the extension is 76%.
Within the Ports-to-Plains Corridor, the travel cost savings are estimated by TxDOT to be $3.4 billion annually. Travel cost savings include vehicle operation, personal time and reliability, shipper logistics, and business time and reliability. Additionally, the interstate upgrade reduces average end-to-end travel times across the corridor, saving 89 minutes. These savings provide businesses along the corridor improved access to the international markets and a wider range of customers within one day by truck distance.

“As the representative for the country’s busiest port of entry, I understand the importance of federal investments in transportation infrastructure, which support cross-border trade,” said U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar (TX-28). “The I-27 corridor extension will benefit South Texas businesses and strengthen the U.S. economy by establishing new trade routes for agriculture and energy industries. I am committed to investing in our country’s infrastructure to better facilitate international trade and reap the full economic benefits of the USMCA. I want to thank Representatives Arrington, Lujan, Granger, and Thornberry for their support on this initiative.”

Messaging to Congress: Designation of Future Interstate Highway

The Ports-to-Plains Alliance urges Congress to designate the Ports-to-Plains (High Priority Corridor #38 on the National Highway System) in Texas, Oklahoma, New Nexico and Colorado and a protion of the Heartland Expressway (High Priority Corridor #4 on the National Highway System) between Interstate 70 at Limon, CO and Interstate 76 at Brush, CO as a Future Interstate Highway.  A detailed map showing the proposed Corridor can be found below. 

The Precedents

The Alliance proposal is consistent with precedent.  In ISTEA, TEA-21, SAFETEA-LU, and the FAST ACT, as well as from time to time in transportation appropriations acts, Congress has designated certain Congressionally-Designated High Priority Corridors (HPC) as future additions to the Interstate Highway System.  To date, more than 20 HPCs have been so designated.  The Alliance proposal tracks the language of these precedents.

The Proposal

• The Alliance proposal would do three things:
  • It would designate the Ports-to-Plains (High Priority Corridor #38 on the National Highway System) in Texas, Oklahoma, New Nexico and Colorado and a protion of the Heartland Expressway (High Priority Corridor #14 on the National Highway System) between Interstate 70 at Limon, CO and Interstate 76 at Brush, CO as a future addition to the Interstate Highway System.
  • It would direct states to erect signs along the route identifying such route as a future Interstate. 
  • It would ensure that vehicles that can legally operate on this portion of the Corridor today would be able to operate once completed and opened to traffic.
• The Alliance proposal would NOT do the following:
  • It would NOT require Texas to make a commitment to complete the highway to Interstate standards within a specific time period.
  • It would NOT automatically result in the appropriation or allocation of additional funds at either the federal or state level.  It does NOT commit the state or federal government to funding. 

Justification for Future Interstate Designation

The proposed Future Interstate Designation would be a logical addition to the Interstate Highway System.

• It would have connectivity benefits.  The Future Interstate Designation would provide the only major north-south corridor in Texas west of I-35, and it would intersect three major east-west Interstate routes: I-10, I-20, and I-40.  It would serve three international border crossings: Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Laredo.  It would connect major West Texas population and economic centers, including Amarillo, Lubbock, Big Spring, Midland-Odessa, and San Angelo, in addition to numerous smaller communities.  It is critical to linking the energy and agricultural sectors to state, national, and international trade.

• It would have congestion relief benefits.   More than 2.3 million trucks passed through Laredo in 2018, more than through any other land port of entry by far (Detroit was next largest at 1.5 million).  Many of these trucks head north on I-35 toward San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth, making I-35 one of the Nation’s most congested Interstates.  The proposed Future Interstate Designation would provide an alternative north-south Interstate route, thereby helping to relieve congestion by diverting traffic off I-35 at Laredo.  Results would be improved on-time delivery and decreased transportation costs for goods and services.  Moreover, the $7.0 billion price tag for the proposed Future Interstate in Texas is cost effective when compared to the $4.8 billion cost of rebuilding just a 28-mile section of I-35 from I-635 to U.S. 380 in Dallas County.

• It would have economic development benefits.  A future Interstate designation would be a significant new economic development tool for communities along the corridor.  Site selectors for manufacturers, warehousing and distribution recommend sites along an interstate highway and travel services businesses such as hotels, truck stops, convenience stores and restaurants, which can have a dramatic impact on small communities will also expand.  This will create much needed new jobs and expanded tax base in rural West Texas. 

• It would have safety benefits.   Travel on the nation's Interstate Highways is about twice as safe as travel on all other roadways.  Given the large energy-related and agriculture-related trucks using this corridor, and the mix of personal, tourist, and truck traffic, safety will be greatly improved by the extension of I-27.  Fatalities and injuries will be reduced.

• It would have national defense and national security benefits.  About 300 miles, or 60 percent, of the extension is on the Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET), which are the roads that provide defense access, continuity, and emergency capabilities for movements of personnel and equipment in both peace and war. 

• It would benefit energy production.  The proposed Future Interstate Designation will provide direct access into the heart of the oil and gas industry. This direct access will allow for more production and distribution of these resources. This Future Interstate Designation is a crucial component as Texas leads the country in energy independence.

• It would benefit cross border trade.  A future interstate designation would lead to improved cross border efficiency at the border crossings of Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Laredo. It would encourage more efficient use of all three crossings reducing wait time on congested international bridges

HB 1079 Ports-to-Plains Feasibility Study

Current Summary Economic Benefits Update

Link to HB 19-1079

Link to Information Regarding HB 1079 Study including:

• Overview of Study
• Advisory Board including Agendas, Presentations and Meeting Summaries
• Segment Committee including Agendas, Presentations and Meeting Summaries
  • Link to Segment Map
• Public Meetings including Agendas, Presentations and Meeting Summaries

TxDOT updates the links and meetings as the information is finalized.

Advisory Committee Meetings

• Meeting No. 1 - Lubbock, TX - October 1, 2019
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 2 - San Angelo, TX - February 19, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary (coming soon)

Segment Committee Reports

• Segment Committee Report #1
  • Segment #1 Executive Summary

• Segment Committee Report #2
  • Segment #2 Executive Summary

• Segment Committee Report #3
  • Segment #3 Executive Summary

Segment #1 Committee Meetings

• Meeting No. 1 - Amarillo, TX - November 20, 2019
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 2 - Amarillo, TX (held online due to weather) - February 6, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 3 - Online - April 1, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 4 - Online - May 14, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 5 - Online - June 11, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary

Segment #2 Committee Meetings

• Meeting No. 1 - Big Spring, TX - November 18, 2019
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 2 - San Angelo, TX - February 5, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 3 - Online - April 2, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 4 - Online - May 13, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 5 - Online - June 10, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary

Segment #3 Committee Meetings

• Meeting No. 1 - Del Rio, TX - November 4, 2019
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 2 - Laredo, TX - February 3, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 3 - Online - April 3, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 4 - Online - May 11, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary
• Meeting No. 5 - Online - June 9, 2020
  • Presentations
  • Meeting Summary

Initial Assessment Report – Extension of the I-27 /
Ports-to-Plains Corridor

Texas Freight Mobility Study

Key Statements in Plan

• “The Ports-to-Plains (I-27) corridor from Laredo to Denver was designated as a high-priority corridor on the National Highway System in 1998.”


• “In 2015, a TxDOT initial assessment report on the I-27 corridor found it to be critical to linking the energy and agricultural sectors to state, national and international trade.”


• “I-27 would be a catalyst to spur economic development in this part of the state and support agricultural and energy sector development, the state’s economic engine.”


• “The I-27 extension would provide the only major north-south corridor in Texas west of I-35, and it would intersect three major east-west routes: I-10, I-20 and I-40.”


• "TxDOT has recommended more detailed study of the extension to determine whether an incremental improvement approach or a complete interstate facility approach would meet safety and mobility needs.”