Lubbock Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington and Congressman Henry Cuellar celebrated the passage of their bipartisan legislation renaming the interstate-designated segments of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor to "I-27". The project aims to connect the ports of South Texas to the plains of West Texas and beyond, stimulating substantial economic growth and providing a competitive edge to producers and manufacturers throughout the region.

Arrington delivered a speech on the floor of the United States House of Representatives in support of the measure, emphasizing the importance of transportation infrastructure for the future prosperity of Rural America. He stated, "Now that we've created a federal four-lane highway, we passed legislation to officially name it 'I-27.' The Ports to Plains Corridor is going to create thousands of jobs for West Texas and deliver a $50 billion economic impact over the next 20 years. This project is a game-changer for West Texas and all Americans who rely on our nation's energy independence and food security."

John Osborne, chairman of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, expressed his appreciation to Congressman Arrington for his support, saying, "It is through his leadership and shared vision for the development of the corridor that we are not only one step closer to fruition but continue to pave the way to a prosperous and transformative future."

Senator Ted Cruz also commended the passage of the legislation, stating, "The passage of this critical legislation to name the Ports-to-Plains corridor as Interstate 27 is an incredible step to greater economic growth in Texas. I am proud to have spearheaded the fight in the Senate, alongside Reps. Jodey Arrington and Henry Cuellar in the House, to advance the development of the I-27 corridor and create jobs across the Lone Star State."

Congressman Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, highlighted his previous efforts to designate the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as a future federal interstate route, unlocking funding for an expansion project for a four-lane federal highway from Laredo to New Mexico. He stated, "The Ports to Plains Corridor will spur economic development and create good-paying jobs across multiple sectors of our state's economy, including trade, energy, and agriculture."

The legislation builds upon the success of Arrington's previous legislation in 2022, which designated a portion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as a future Interstate route, making it eligible for federal funding. This new legislation officially names the route segment "Interstate 27." The bill will now proceed to the Senate for approval before reaching the president's desk.

The expansion of the I-27 corridor is crucial for linking the energy and agricultural industries to state, national, and international trade. It is estimated to grow Texas's GDP by over $55.6 billion in the first 20 years, create 178,600 construction jobs, and add 17,000 long-term employment opportunities.

Overall, the passage of this bipartisan legislation marks a significant milestone in the development of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor and sets the stage for increased economic growth and job creation in Texas.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1121