Lubbock Times

Yesterday, 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 passage of this bill marks an important step in the project that connects 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. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"Transportation infrastructure is critical to the future prosperity of Rural America," said Chairman Arrington. "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. I'm proud to have had my bipartisan bill passed out of the House, with the help of my friend Henry Cuellar. This project is a game-changer for West Texas and all Americans who rely on our nation's energy independence and food security."

"I'd like to express my appreciation to Congressman Arrington for his continued support of the Ports-to-Plains initiatives including the I-27 Numbering Act of 2023 that passed unanimously in the House this week," said John Osborne, chairman of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance. "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."

"In Texas, we are leading the country in economic prosperity. 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," said Senator Ted Cruz.

"Last Congress, I secured language in the FY22 omnibus appropriations bill designating 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. Today, the House officially designated the corridor as Interstate 27," said Congressman Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. "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. Thank you to Rep. Jodey Arrington, Sen. Ted Cruz, and Sen. John Cornyn for working with me across party lines to strengthen our state's infrastructure, and I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law."

In 2022, Congressman Arrington championed legislation that was signed into law to designate the portion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor from Laredo, Texas through the Panhandle to Dumas, Texas as a future Interstate route, making it eligible for federal funding. This legislation builds on that success, officially naming the route segment "Interstate 27." The Senate must agree to these changes, and then the bill will proceed to the president's desk.

The expansion of the I-27 corridor is critical to linking the energy and agricultural industries to state, national, and international trade, and 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.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1136