Future Interstate Highway

On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, President Biden signed the FY 2022 Omnibus Appropriations legislation. This legislation included the designation of the entire Ports-to-Plains Corridor in Texas and New Mexico as a Future Interstate Highway.

I-27 Route Numbering

Politically, the next step now underway: Asking Congress to provide a route number to the Future Interstate Corridor.

While most all, including TxDOT, reference I-27, that route numbering was not part of the Future interstate Designation.

The route numbering, based on current bills moving through Congress, would be I-27 between Laredo and Sterling City and between Lamesa through Lubbock to Dumas to Raton, NM. The segment between Sterling City through Midland to Lamesa would be I-27W. The segment between Sterling City through Big Spring to Lamesa would be I-27E. Finally, north of Dumas to the Texas/Oklahoma border would be I-27N.

The I-27 Numbering Act of 2023 (S.992) sponsored by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and co-sponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Martin Heinrich (NM), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) to formally name the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate 27 (I-27) passed the U.S. Senate with unanimous consent on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
o In the U.S. House, HB 3209 with the same language as the Senate approved bill, is sponsored by Congressman Jodey Arrington and co-sponsored by Congressmen August Pfluger, Henry Cuellar, and Ronny Jackson. While it looks like that bill may be amended slightly from the wording of the Senate version. It is our hope that this bill will follow the same path allowing its passage in the U.S. House.

These Fact Sheets were developed by the I-27 Advisory Committee.

Link to I-27 Advisory Committee Information on TxDOT

About the I-27 Advisory Committee

Goals and Objectives I-27 Advisory Committee

Agriculture is a Key Economic Sector for the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Future Interstate

Energy is a Key Economic Sector for the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Future Interstate

Roadway Connectivity is a Key Priority for the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Future Interstate and Texas

The Ports-to-Plains Corridor Future Interstate Would Impact the Economy

The Ports-to-Plains Corridor Future Interstate Would Improve Freight Movement

International Trade is a Key Economic Sector for the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Future Interstate

The Ports-to-Plains Corridor Future Interstate Leads to Job Creation

Multimodal Connectivity is a Key Priority for the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Future Interstate and Texas

The Importance of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor to National Defense