Ports-to-Plains Corridor

The Ports-to-Plains Trade Corridor was designated as a High Priority Corridor in 1998 by Congress. The Corridor provides the efficient transportation of goods and people from Mexico, through west Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado and ultimately Canada and the Pacific Northwest. The limits of the Ports-to-Plains Feasibility Study extend along highways from the New Mexico and Oklahoma borders to Mexico and include sections of I-20, I-27, I-35, US 83, US 87, US 277, US 287, SH 158 and SH 349 as shown on the Corridor map.

Ports-to-Plains Feasibility Study (House Bill 1079)

The 86th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1079 (HB 1079) relating to a study by TxDOT of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor, including an evaluation of the feasibility of certain improvements to Interstate Highway 27 (I-27). The governor signed the bill into law on June 10, 2019. Creation of an I-27 Advisory Committee was a policy recommendation from the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Advisory Committee as part of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study completed in 2020.

TxDOT, in conjunction with the Ports-to-Plains Advisory Committee, conducted a comprehensive study of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. The study evaluated the feasibility of, and the costs and logistical matters associated with, improvements that create a continuous flow, four-lane divided highway that meets interstate highway standards to the extent possible, including improvements that extend I-27. The study concluded on Oct. 15, 2020.

A Ports-to-Plains Advisory Committee was established to assist TxDOT in conducting the study. The Advisory Committee was comprised of mayors and judges (or their designees) of cities and counties along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor and met on a rotational basis between Lubbock and San Angelo in accordance with HB 1079, as well as virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Advisory Committee established Segment Committees for each geographic segment along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. The Segment Committees included representatives from municipalities, counties, MPOs, ports, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, oil and gas industry, trucking industry and other interested parties.

Public meetings were conducted quarterly during the study and at various locations within the Ports-to-Plains Corridor and virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These meetings offered the public information about the study and the opportunity to provide feedback. The Advisory Committee, Segment Committees, and TxDOT considered the public meeting comments in developing its recommendations for the corridor. The Advisory Committee and Segment Committee reports and their respective executive summaries are available below:

• Advisory Committee report - Executive Summary
• Advisory Committee report
• Segment 1 Committee report - Executive Summary
• Segment 1 Committee report
• Segment 2 Committee report - Executive Summary
• Segment 2 Committee report
• Segment 3 Committee report - Executive Summary
• Segment 3 Committee report

Study maps and information

• Ports-to-Plains Corridor map
• Segment map
• House Bill 1079
• FAQs
• Factsheet