Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Jodey Arrington (TX-19) and Henry Cuellar (TX-28) introduced the bipartisan I-27 Numbering Act of 2023. This legislation would name the interstate-designated segments of the Texas Ports-to-Plains Corridor as “Interstate Route 27.” Senators Ted Cruz (TX) and John Cornyn (TX) are introducing companion legislation in the Senate.

“I’m very proud to be working across the aisle with my friend and colleague, Congressman Henry Cuellar, on this important piece of bipartisan legislation,” said Rep. Arrington. “The Port-to-Plains Corridor, which expands from Texas through the Heartland, serves as a critical tool for enhancing America’s agriculture and energy dominance. This legislation to number the Texas portion of the Corridor as Interstate Route 27 is one step closer to ensuring the nation's largest agricultural and energy production centers located in West Texas are more accessible to the rest of the country.”

“In the FY22 omnibus appropriations bill, I secured the I-27 highway expansion project to unlock funding for a four-lane federal highway from Laredo, the largest inland port of entry in the country where 17,000 trailers cross per day, to New Mexico. Today, we’re seeing that project come to fruition as the I-27 Numbering Act of 2023 christens the newly named Interstate Route 27,” said Rep. Cuellar. “I-27 will grow Texas’ GDP by $17.2 billion and create 178,600 construction jobs. It will also add 17,000 long-term employment opportunities. With this project, Laredo will also become the only port of entry with four interstate corridors: I-35, I-2, I-69, and I-27 – a boon for our trade economy. I thank Congressman Jodey Arrington for working with me across party lines to help secure this important infrastructure. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fund projects in South Texas that bring good-paying jobs and ease quality of life for my constituents.”

“I’m proud to have spearheaded and passed the first iteration of Ports-to-Plains. It will provide access to more efficient and effective transportation, cut costs and support our critical infrastructure. Today, I’m proud to introduce the next step in that journey, legislation to formally name Interstate 27, which will become a vital part of our national highway system for generations to come,” said Sen. Cruz.

“Our efforts to designate the Ports-to-Plains corridor as a future interstate will expand opportunity for farmers, ranchers, and producers across Texas. Formally naming the Texas and New Mexico segments Interstate 27 will close the loop on bringing this critical project to fruition, and I am grateful for Senator Cruz and Congressman Arrington’s partnership on this important designation,” said Sen. Cornyn.

Background:

The 2,300-mile Ports-to-Plains Alliance Corridor extends from Mexico to Canada through eight states in America’s Heartland. It is part of the National Highway System, which makes up about five percent of America’s roads, yet carries over 55 percent of vehicle miles traveled. 

The Ports-to-Plains Alliance Corridor serves as a:

• 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 moves agriculture products to urban domestic markets, export markets on the coast, 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; and,
• Cost-effective way to reduce congestion on neighboring highways Interstate-25 and Interstate-35. 

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