Austin News

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has announced the designation of a section of the state highway system in Lubbock County as part of Interstate 27. This development officially integrates another portion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor into the U.S. Interstate System. The legislation to designate this corridor, stretching from Laredo, Texas, to Raton, New Mexico, as future Interstate 27 was led by Sen. Cruz and became law earlier this year.

Senator Cruz expressed his satisfaction with the progress, stating, "It has been a long and hard-fought effort to improve infrastructure for I-27, but this news is another tremendous step in boosting jobs, economic development, and better transportation for Texans in communities across the Lone Star State." He emphasized that this development would benefit leaders and business owners along the corridor through improved supply chains and safer highways.

The senator also highlighted that he authored bipartisan legislation designating I-27 and expects it to create thousands of high-paying jobs and attract billions in new investments in Texas. He added his commitment to advocating for further integration of more segments of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor into I-27.

In 2022, language included by Sen. Cruz in fiscal year appropriations designated parts of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as a future interstate route. Although this did not assign an official number at that time, subsequent legislation signed into law in March officially named it "future Interstate 27."

The I-27 Numbering Act of 2023 received support from several legislators including Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), August Pfluger (R-Texas), and Ronny Jackson (R-Texas).