Lubbock Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) and Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) have successfully passed a bipartisan legislation renaming the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as "I-27". This corridor connects the ports of South Texas to the plains of West Texas and beyond, and its renaming marks a significant milestone in the project's development.

Chairman Arrington spoke passionately about the importance of transportation infrastructure, stating, "Transportation infrastructure is critical to the future prosperity of Rural America." He emphasized the economic impact of the Ports to Plains Corridor, which is expected to generate $50 billion over the next 20 years and create thousands of jobs for West Texas. Arrington expressed his pride in the passage of the bipartisan bill, which was made possible with the help of Congressman Cuellar.

John Osborne, chairman of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, expressed his gratitude to Congressman Arrington for his unwavering support of the Ports-to-Plains initiatives. He commended Arrington's leadership and shared vision for the development of the corridor, stating, "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, who spearheaded the fight for the legislation in the Senate, highlighted the significance of the bill for Texas' economic growth. He said, "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." Cruz also acknowledged the collaboration with Representatives Arrington and Cuellar, stating that the development of the I-27 corridor will create jobs across the Lone Star State.

Congressman Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, reflected on his previous efforts to secure funding for the expansion project of the four-lane federal highway from Laredo to New Mexico. He stated, "Today, the House officially designated the corridor as Interstate 27," and expressed his belief that the Ports-to-Plains Corridor will foster economic development and create good-paying jobs in various sectors, including trade, energy, and agriculture. He expressed his gratitude to Representatives Arrington, Cruz, and Cornyn for their bipartisan collaboration in strengthening Texas' infrastructure.

The renaming of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor to I-27 builds upon the success of Congressman Arrington's previous legislation that designated the corridor as a future federal interstate route, unlocking federal funding opportunities. This latest legislation solidifies the official naming of the route segment and marks another important step in the development of the corridor. 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 connecting the energy and agricultural industries to state, national, and international trade. It is projected to contribute significantly to Texas' GDP, with an estimated growth of over $55.6 billion in the first 20 years. Furthermore, the expansion is expected to create 178,600 construction jobs and provide 17,000 long-term employment opportunities.

To learn more, click on this link: https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1125