On Tuesday, U.S. Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) introduced legislation designed to expand and upgrade the Ports-to-Plain Alliance Corridor.
The Ports-to-Plains Highway Act would upgrade the corridor to a modern four-lane divided highway that the Congressmen say would improve economic development, safety, and efficiency for the country’s Midwest. It’s estimated the legislation would increase Texas’ gross domestic product by $55.6 billion in the first 20 years.
“I’m very proud to be working across the aisle with my friend and colleague, Rep. Henry Cuellar, on this important piece of bipartisan legislation,” Arrington said. “Establishing an hour lane, federal highway from West Texas through the Heartland is critical to enhancing America’s agriculture and energy dominance. This investment in rural America will strengthen the supply from the largest agricultural and energy production centers to the rest of the country.”
The 2,300-mile Ports-to-Plains Alliance Corridor extends through eight states and stretches from Mexico to Canada. Part of the National Highway System, the corrido makes up about five percent of the Nation’s roads but carries over 55 percent of the vehicle miles traveled.
The corridor also serves as an energy corridor with traditional energy sources and renewable sources and as an agricultural corridor traveling through four of the top eight agricultural states in the country.
Advocates said the corridor is key to connecting small towns and rural communities in the eight states and will boost connectivity and economic development in those areas. Additionally, they said the corridor expansion is a cost-effective way to reduce congestion on I-25 ad I-35.
“To fully reap the benefits of the UMSCA, it is critical that we invest in strong international transportation infrastructure,” Cuellar said. “This bipartisan legislation will increase trade routes for agriculture and energies industries in Texas and throughout the country. With the I-27 corridor extension, Laredo will have three interstates, which will alleviate traffic and open business opportunities. As the representative for the country’s busiest port of entry, I am committed to making strong investments in our transportation infrastructure to support cross-border trade and expand our economy.”
Original co-sponsors of the bill include Reps. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Kay Granger (R-TX), and Kelly Armstrong (R- ND).