Luján Joins Legislation to Name Ports-to-Plains Corridor ‘Interstate 27’

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) to formally name the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as Interstate 27. U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) is introducing the legislation in the House.

“I was proud to work together with Senator Cruz to designate a portion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as an addition to the interstate system last Congress. We are continuing to work together to support the development of this corridor in New Mexico and Texas. Our interstates are vital for New Mexico’s economy and safe transportation, and I look forward to advancing this legislation,” said Senator Luján.

“I’m proud to have spearheaded and passed the first iteration of Ports-to-Plains. The Cruz- Luján legislation was a tremendous bipartisan victory for Texans and for our nation’s critical infrastructure. It will provide access to more efficient and effective transportation, cut costs and support our critical infrastructure. Today, I’m proud to introduce the next step in that journey, legislation to formally name Interstate 27, which will become a vital part of our national highway system for generations to come,” said Senator Cruz.

“Our efforts to designate the Ports-to-Plains corridor as a future interstate will expand opportunity for farmers, ranchers, and producers across Texas. Formally naming the Texas and New Mexico segments Interstate 27 will close the loop on bringing this critical project to fruition, and I am grateful for Senator Cruz and Congressman Arrington’s partnership on this important designation,” said Senator Cornyn.

In 2022, Senators Luján and Cruz successfully included language in the fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations legislation to designate the portion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor from Laredo, Texas, to Raton, New Mexico, as a future interstate route. This was an important step toward adding the route to the U.S. Interstate System. Though the language passed into law in 2022 will add key parts of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor to the Interstate System, it did not give the route an official future interstate route number.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

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