Sens. Cruz, Cornyn, Cramer Introduce Legislation to Designate Ports-to-Plains Corridor as Interstate Highway

WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) today introduced the Ports-to-Plains Highway Act, legislation that would designate a portion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as a future addition to the interstate highway system.

Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said:

"Designating the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as an interstate highway would benefit the entire state of Texas and our great nation. Thanks to the passage of the USMCA Trade agreement, trade between Mexico and Canada has increased substantially to the benefit of Texas farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, energy producers, and small businesses. I am pleased to join my colleagues to upgrade this critical infrastructure so that businesses that depend on this corridor for transit can cut costs and receive improved access to international trade."

Sen. Cornyn said:

"Establishing a Ports to Plains Corridor from Mexico through West Texas and into Canada will help Texas producers access new markets and enhance connectivity to the cites along its route. Texas already boasts the most exports of any state, and this will help Texas farmers, ranchers, and producers continue to expand their operations."

Sen. Cramer said:

"Establishing the ports to plains corridor in the heartland of our nation would lift all American industries which rely on transportation and create good-paying jobs in the process. It's a common sense investment in rural America with plenty of opportunity for growth."

Read the full text of this legislation here.

BACKGROUND

The Ports-to-Plains Corridor aims to facilitate an additional key North-South route to bolster the transportation of goods and people. The Department of Transportation's (DOT's) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) has projected nationwide freight moved by trucks could increase by 44 percent from 2015 levels by 2045.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in conjunction with the Ports-to-Plains Advisory Committee, conducted a comprehensive study of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. The study found significant economic benefits to upgrading the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. For example, the study found that the upgrades would result in a 76% return on investment, $4.1 billion in annual travel cost savings, 22,110 new jobs, and a $2.8 billion annual increase in state GDP.

The Ports-to-Plains Corridor is currently designated as a High Priority Corridor on the National Highway System.

Sens. Cruz and Cornyn previously cosponsored this legislation in 2020.

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