March 2023 Vol 21 Issue 3 - Ports to Plains

March 2023 Volume 21 Issue 3

We are a voice for our small town, grassroots members who may otherwise not have access to the right audiences, as well as a conduit for industry to come together in support and promotion of transportation improvements.

We are committed to working as an Alliance to improve transportation infrastructure and business networks opportunities, by advocating for appropriate funding levels, so business and industry can thrive.

We are focused on the economic and business interests that are the lifeblood of the region.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

What’s in a number? This last week our legislators introduced bills that would put a number on our Texas and New Mexico portion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. When the future interstate designation was approved last year, the bill did not include a number designation at that time. Everyone just assumed that it would be IH 27 since part of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor follows existing IH 27. The bills introduced last week will help clean that up. But what does that mean for the Ports-to-Plains Corridor? As we bring this portion of the corridor up to interstate standards, then we can start placing signs indicating as such. New Mexico has been responsive when it comes to placing signs on the Ports-to-Plains Corridor and this will aid them in that effort too. Midland/Odessa can quit worrying about whether the Ports-to-Plains Corridor will be a future interstate into their communities because now they have their own unique numbering designation. This is good for the Ports-to-Plains effort and we are thankful to all who helped make this a reality.

The timing of the filing of these bills coincided with our annual DC fly-in last week. I want to thank all of the members that sacrificed a week of their life to visit with our legislators on Capitol Hill. The group was well received and the meetings I think were very productive. The success of the week was made possible by the exhaustive work of David Pore, Mike Tomberlin, and Taylor Seyl of the Hance-Scarborough team, and Joe Kiely and Duffy Hinkle of the Ports-to-Plains staff.

The key messages that we tried to convey last week on behalf of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance was the value that this corridor plays in future growth, economic production, and well-being of the population in the central United States. Every state that resides along our corridor would benefit from the transportation improvements that we are advocating for. We want to be that main transportation artery that as San Angelo Mayor Gunter likes to say, “Provides the fuel, food, and fiber to the people of the United States." I have also discovered that infrastructure is usually bipartisan. Everybody needs it. Which should make it easier to support it. Our visit last week also coincided with several applications that we submitted with local support for Community Funding Requests. These are requests for discretionary funding at the federal level for various transportation related projects. Our requests focused on transportation planning funds and construction funds to aid on projects up and down the corridor. I will say that not every legislator participated in this program so we will need to continue to educate them on the value that these funds would impact back in their respective communities.

These are your respective communities too.

All in all, it was a good week. More to come……

Lauren Garduño, President/CEO

Successful Washington DC Fly-In

During the week of March 27-31, the Ports-to-Plains Alliance held its Washington DC Fly-in. The Alliance was represented by twenty-one (21) individuals from 6 states who met with 15 U.S. House members and 16 U.S. Senate members from 9 states. Additionally meetings were held with American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASTHO) staff, Federal Highway Administration staff, United States Department of Transportation staff, and U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure staff for the Subcommittee on Highway and Transit. We thank the Alliance participants listed below as well as the members of Congress and their staff for setting time aside to hear our messaging.

Coby Beckner, Ports-to-Plains Alliance Board of Directors | Mayor Pro-tem | City of Clayton, NM
John Bertsch, Ports-to-Plains Alliance Board of Directors | Certified Financial Planner | Plainview, TX
Lori Chatterley, City Commissioner | City of Raton, NM
Deb Cottier, Ports-to-Plains Alliance Board of Directors | Heartland Expressway Association, Chair | Nebraska Northwest Development Corporation, Executive Director | Chadron, NE
Mike Dafney, Heartland Expressway Association Board of Directors | Mayor, City of Alliance, NE | Alliance, NE
Annie Folck, Heartland Expressway Association Board of Directors | City Engineer, City of Gering, NE | Gering, NE
Lauren Garduño, Ports-to-Plains Alliance, President/CEO | Abilene, TX
Brenda Gunter, Ports-to-Plains Alliance Treasurer | Mayor of City of San Angelo, TX | San Angelo, TX
Beverly Haggard, Ports-to-Plains Alliance Board of Directors | Lamar, CO
Duffy Hinkle, Ports-to-Plains Alliance, Vice President of Membership and Marketing | Lubbock, TX
Cheri Huddleston, Legislative Consultant, Hance Scarborough LLP | Austin, TX
Cal Klewin, Executive Director, Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, Association | Bowman, ND
Danny Magee, City Engineer, City of Eagle Pass, TX | Eagle Pass, TX
Steve Massengale, City of Lubbock, Mayor Pro-tem | Lubbock, TX
John Osborne, Chairman, Ports-to-Plains Alliance | President & CEO, Lubbock Economic Development Alliance | Lubbock, TX
Curtis Parrish, County Judge, Lubbock County | Lubbock, TX
Tray Payne, Ports-to-Plains Alliance Board of Directors | City of Lubbock, Mayor | Lubbock, TX
David Pore, Partner, Hance Scarborough LLP | Washington, DC
Cathy Shull, Ports-to-Plains Alliance Board of Directors | Executive Director, PRO 15 | Fort Morgan, CO
Steve Smith, Ports-to-Plains Alliance Board of Directors | CEO, Lillian M. Hudspeth Memorial Hospital, CEO | Sonora, TX
Mike Tomberlin, Senior Policy Advisor, Hance Scarborough LLP | Washington, DC
Garth Wadsworth, Public Policy Director, Elevate Rapid City | Rapid City, SD

The messaging from the Ports-to-Plains Alliance varied according to the needs of each state with which we met. Discussions included the importance of the FY24 Appropriations requests (see summary below), the newly introduced U.S. Senate and U.S. House bills that would officially identify the Future Interstate Highway as Interstate 27, reasons why each state should support the expansion of the Corridor across North America, and our Federal Policy Priorities supporting rural transportation needs.

Download Ports-to-Plains Alliance Federal Policy Handout

FY24 Appropriations Project Funding Requests

Both the U.S. Senate’s Congressionally Directed Projects and the U.S. House of Representatives’ Community Funding Projects provide a federal funding opportunity for highways across the Ports-to-Plains Alliance Corridor. Not all Members of Congress or state DOTs will support and submit funding requests under these programs.

U.S. Senate

U.S. Senate Congressionally Directed Projects are due to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies on April 6, 2023. Our requests needed to be submitted by March 16, 2023 for the Senators to consider. U.S. Senate Congressionally Directed Projects are open to many more projects outside of Highway Infrastructure and as a result each Senator must prioritize all the requests received and submit the number of projects that can be funded with the funding allocated to each Senator. Two Senators from New Mexico accepted requests to submit for considerations of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Planning project. The request was for $1.6 million on a $2.0 million interstate planning project. The Town of Clayton, NM submitted both requests using the information provided by Ports-to-Plains. Requests were submitted to Martin Heinrich (NM) and Ben Ray Lujan (NM).

Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Planning

Project Purpose: The project following the designation of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor in New Mexico as a Future Interstate in the FY2022 Appropriations legislation, would initiate interstate highway planning on U.S. 87 / U.S. 64. These planning funds would be used for Project Definition, Phase A: Alternative Identification and Screening, Phase B: Detailed Alternative Analysis, Phase C: Environmental Documentation, and Preliminary Design.

U.S. House of Representatives

Monday, April 17, 2023 will be the deadline for U.S. House members to submit Community Funding Projects to the Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. The Ports-to-Plains Alliance submitted three Texas planning funding requests and three relief route construction projects.

Congressman Jackson (TX-13) accepted two submissions: a planning project for Interstate Upgrade for Interstate Planning for U.S. 287 from Dumas to Amarillo, a $5 million project with a request for $4 million; and a construction project for SL 335 - Widen Non-Freeway (TxDOT Id: 2635-04-031) with a total cost of $96,860,186 and a request for $5 million. This project would continue efforts in Amarillo to build out Loop 335 which will be a route providing relief to the corridor that now passes through downtown Amarillo. The remaining funds for these projects would come from TxDOT.

Interstate Upgrade for Interstate Planning for U.S. 287 from Dumas to Amarillo

Project Purpose: Following the designation of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as a Future Interstate in the FY2022 Appropriations, legislation, the Interstate Planning for - US 287 from Dumas to Amarillo project would initiate planning as recommended by the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study Final Report published in October 2020 by Texas Department of Transportation. These planning funds would be used on US 287 from Dumas to Amarillo for Project Feasibility, Preliminary Design, and Environmental.

SL 335 - Widen Non-Freeway (TxDOT Id: 2635-04-031)

Project Purpose: This funding will be used for the SL 335 - Widen Non-Freeway (TxDOT Id: 2635-04-031). Loop 335 is a priority of the City of Amarillo and the Amarillo MPO. This project will convert 2-lane section to 4-lane divided, and convert 4-lane section to 4-lane freeway between SW 9th Limits and FM 1719. This project is included in the 2023 Texas Unified Transportation Plan with an estimated let date of 2023-2026. This funding will fill a funding gap.

Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) accepted a submission for Interstate Planning: U.S. 87 from Lubbock to Tahoka, a request for $8 million on a $10 million project. The remaining funds would be provided by TxDOT.

Interstate Planning: U.S. 87 from Lubbock to Tahoka

Project Purpose: Following the designation of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as a Future Interstate in the FY2022 Appropriations, legislation, the project would allow Interstate Highway planning as recommended by the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study Final Report published in October 2020 by Texas Department of Transportation. These planning funds would be used within the 19th Congressional District on U.S. 87 between Lubbock and Tahoka for Project Feasibility, Preliminary Design, and Environmental.

Congressman Pfluger is considering one submission on a construction project: US 277 - Operational Improvements (TxDOT Project Id: 0264-06-044). The request is for $3 million on a total project cost of slightly above $15 million. TxDOT has the remaining funds committed to the San Angelo project.

US 277 - Operational Improvements (TxDOT Project Id: 0264-06-044)

Project Purpose: The project will provide Operational Improvements including grading, structures, base and surfacing in Tom Green County from: 0.75 miles north of FM 2105 to US 67. The project (TxDOT Project Id: 0264-06-044) provides operational improvements to a portion of the San Angelo Relief Route providing a relief route to freight and passenger movements along the Ports-to-Plains High Priority Corridor #38 by diverting the movements from the heart of San Angelo.

Congressman Gonzales is considering one planning project: Interstate Planning for U.S. 83 from Carrizo Springs to I-35. The request is for $5 million on a $6.25 million project. TxDOT has the remaining funds committed.

Interstate Planning for U.S. 83 from Carrizo Springs to I-35

Project Purpose: Following the designation of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as a Future Interstate in the FY2022 Appropriations, legislation, the project would initiate planning as recommended by the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study Final Report published in October 2020 by Texas Department of Transportation. These planning funds would be used on U.S. 83 from Carrizo Springs to I-35 for Project Feasibility, Preliminary Design, and Environmental. New Interstate Highways are required to connect to an existing Interstate Highway. This segment, along the Southern Border, is needed before the remaining segments connecting to Eagle Pass and Del Rio can be completed.

Congressman Cuellar is considering one construction project: IH 35 - Bridge Replacement - Uniroyal Drive (TxDOT ID: 0018-05-089). The request is for $5 million on a project cost of $110 million. TxDOT has the remaining funds committed.

IH 35 - Bridge Replacement - Uniroyal Drive (TxDOT ID: 0018-05-089)

Project Purpose: This project is one phase of the Laredo I-35 Corridor Project by TxDOT (https://www.txdot.gov/projects/projects-studies/laredo/laredo-i35-corridor-project.html) The project accomplishes the reconstructing and widening the overpass at Uniroyal Road in Laredo. This work would also include reconfiguring the frontage road and on/off ramps in this area. Laredo is the nexus of three major freight corridors that handle international trade with Mexico (I-35; US 59/I-69W; and US 83/US 277). Laredo handles the highest volume and value of trade of all inland Port of Entries in the United States and is ranked as the 3rd busiest Port of Entry (POE) (land/sea/air) in the United States. Nuevo Laredo is Mexico’s busiest POE. The Laredo POE is forecast to have 13 million northbound Personal Vehicle (POV) movements in 2050, a 25 percent increase from 2019 POV movements of 10.4 million. Laredo POE is anticipated to have the highest total Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) tonnage in 2050, an increase of 200 percent from 2019 to 2050 from 39 million in 2019 to 117 million in 2050.

In New Mexico, the same request was submitted by the Town of Clayton for Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Planning to Senator Heinrich, Senator Ben Ray Lujan and Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez. The request was for $1.6 million of a $2 million project. NMDOT has committed to the matching funds.

Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Planning

Project Purpose: Following the designation of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor in New Mexico as a Future Interstate in the FY2022 Appropriations legislation, the project would initiate interstate highway planning on U.S. 87 / U.S. 64. These planning funds would be used for Project Definition, Phase A: Alternative Identification and Screening, Phase B: Detailed Alternative Analysis, Phase C: Environmental Documentation, and Preliminary Design.

These requests will be prioritized against other project submissions by each Member. If Members submit our projects, the Appropriations Committees in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House will make final selections later this year.

Legislation Introduced to Provide Route Numbering for Ports-to-Plains Corridor

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.”

NDDOT Letter Supporting Expansion of U.S. 85

“The NDDOT is open and willing to explore any federal funding opportunities that are available to continue progress on US Highway 85 between 1-94 and Watford City.”

Ronald J. Henke, Director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation, provided a letter to the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Association that described both the accomplishments on U.S. 85 and its interest in federal funding opportunities for future segments. Cal Klewin, Executive Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Associate shared this letter with the North Dakota Members during the Ports-to-Plains Alliance Washington DC Flyin held March 28-29, 2023.

Link to NDDOT Letter

Why Support Expansion of the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway in South Dakota

The Ports-to-Plains Alliance has developed State Impact documents by States along the Corridor. Over the next months, a different state will be highlighted starting with South Dakota. The purpose of these Impact Documents is to outline reasons why elected officials should support expansion of the Corridor. These documents are intended to be an easy reference for our membership to share with their representatives.

The Impact Document points out that Agriculture and Tourism are integral parts of the Soth Dakota economy and then focuses on the region of 14 counties either adjacent to the Heartland Expressway and Theodore Roosevelt Expressway or within 100 miles.

“As with the State of South Dakota, this region also has a strong agriculture economy. The Corridor Counties account for $186.4 million in sales of crops that provide 1,653 jobs in these counties. The sales of livestock are even greater at $727.3 million accounting for 6,807 jobs in the Corridor Counties.”

“The Black Hills is a major tourist destination, but tourism impacts each county in the region. Within the Corridor Counties, Visitor Direct Spending is $1.38 billion or nearly 42 percent of visitor spending in South Dakota. The Direct Visitor Spending creates Direct Employment of 14,062 or 38% of statewide tourism employment providing $397.81 million in Direct Earnings. Additionally, revenue to state and local governments was $146.90 million over 53 percent of statewide tourism tax revenue.”

The corridor is an important connection between the beef production, feedlots, and processing facilities from Canada to Mexico, but especially with Nebraska, Colorado and Texas. It also connects major tourism destinations in SD and ND. It connects the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, and the Badlands in SD with Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Future Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in ND. I-90 provides a significant resource to attract tourists moving east-west. The HE/TRE Corridor in South Dakota, along with its connections on the entire P2P Corridor, provides a significant opportunity to add to the tourists moving north-south in North America.

We hope that our federal Congressional delegation will support the efforts to build this corridor with federal funding including discretionary grant funding and annual appropriations opportunities. South Dakota now has a four-lane divided or better from the South Dakota/Nebraska State Line to north of Belle Fourche. Completing the TRE in South Dakota is good for the state and good for business.

Click Image below to Download the Impact Document for South Dakota