The bipartisan I-27 Numbering Act of 2023, championed by U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and U.S. Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19), has cleared the Senate and is now poised for President Biden's signature. This legislation aims to designate the interstate segments of the Texas Ports-to-Plains Corridor as "Interstate Route 27."
"In the FY22 Appropriations bill, I secured language designating the Ports to Plains Corridor as a future federal interstate, unlocking crucial federal transportation funding to expand this important highway connecting Laredo to New Mexico. We are one step closer to seeing this become a reality," said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.
"I-27 will add $17.8 billion to Texas’s GDP and create 22,000 good-paying jobs. Port Laredo, the number one port of entry in the country, will also become the only port of entry with access to four interstate corridors – a win for Laredo’s trade economy. Thank you to Congressman Jodey Arrington, Senator Ted Cruz, and Senator John Cornyn for working with me across party lines to strengthen our state’s infrastructure."
The Ports-to-Plains Alliance Corridor spans 2,300 miles from Mexico to Canada through eight states in America’s Heartland. It plays multiple crucial roles:
- Energy corridor: Serving traditional resources like oil and gas, including the Bakken, Niobrara, Permian Basin, Cline, and Eagle Ford shale plays, as well as renewable resources like wind, solar, and biofuels.
- Agriculture corridor: Running through four of the top eight farming states and facilitating the movement of agriculture products to urban domestic markets, coastal export markets, and export markets on the Canadian and Mexican borders.
- International trade corridor: Serving major international border crossings connecting Texas to Mexico and connecting Montana and North Dakota to Canada.
- Connectivity and economic development corridor: Running through and connecting small towns and rural communities in America’s Heartland.
- Congestion reduction: Providing a cost-effective way to reduce congestion on neighboring highways Interstate-25 and Interstate-35.
This move is expected to have significant positive impacts on Texas's economy and infrastructure, further enhancing trade and connectivity across the region.
Read full text of the legislation here.
