US Senator Ted Cruz Introduces Legislation to Name Ports-to-Plains Corridor

(LUBBOCK) – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced legislation (S.992) co-sponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) to formally name the Ports-to-Plains Corridor “Interstate 27.” Representative Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) also introduced legislation in the House (H.R. 1821) on Tuesday, March 28.

“It’s monumental day for the Ports-to-Plains Alliance as we take the next steps in developing the future I-27,” said John Osborne, chairman of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance. “I’d like to express my appreciation to Senators Cruz, Cornyn and Luján, and Congressmen Arrington and Cuellar for introducing the legislation to move this project forward. By naming and numbering the interstate, the Ports-to-Plains Corridor will be critical infrastructure for the communities and industries utilizing the interstate throughout Texas and our heartland.”

This legislation follows the designation of Interstate-27 (I-27) in March 2022 when President Biden signed into law the Appropriations Bill (FY 2022). The designation recognized the Ports-to-Plains Corridor in Texas and New Mexico including the segments connecting Lamesa, Midland and Sterling City and between Dumas, TX and the Texas-New Mexico state line as an addition to the Interstate Highway System.

“It’s an exciting day for the future of our interstate and I am thrilled to take the next steps to furthering this project to completion,” said Lauren Garduno, president of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance. “By naming and numbering the interstate, the Department of Transportation is able to add signage along the corridor. I appreciate the efforts of Senators Cruz, Cornyn and Luján, as well as Congressmen Arrington and Cuellar on the introduction of S.992 and H.R.1821, which are critical to the development of future Interstate-27."

Obtaining the designation for I-27 was critical in the advancement of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. Although the designated future interstate is commonly referred to as I-27, the language in FY 2022 did not give the Corridor an official interstate route number. In the legislation, route numbers were assigned as I-27 from Laredo, TX through Dumas, TX to Raton, NM. The two locations in Texas where the future interstate diverges are named I-227 for the current Routes 158 and 349 from Sterling City to Midland to Lamesa, and as I-327 for the current Route 87 from Dumas to the Oklahoma border.

“New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Luján is a champion for rural New Mexico, rural America, I-27 Designation, and the entire Ports-to-Plains Corridor,” said Coby Beckner, mayor pro-tem of Clayton, NM. “The Senator, and his staff, understand the value of supporting the Corridor to provide economic development, safer travel, and opening the doors to New Mexico for all to see and experience. The Town of Clayton, Union County, City of Raton, Colfax County, and Village of Des Moines applaud his vision and bold leadership representing our communities in North East New Mexico and our relationship with the Ports-to-Plains Alliance and future I-27 expansion.”

Ports-to-Plains Alliance

Ports-to-Plains is a grassroots alliance of over 200 communities and businesses, including alliance partners Heartland Expressway and Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, whose mission is to advocate for a robust international transportation infrastructure to promote economic security and prosperity throughout North America's energy and agricultural heartland including Mexico to Canada. Additional information on the Ports-to-Plains Alliance is available at http://www.portstoplains.com/.