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.
TxDOT 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 is anticipated to conclude in January 2021.
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 Segment Committee reports and their respective executive summaries are available below:
Advisory Committee
The Ports-to-Plains Advisory Committee was established by the Texas Transportation Commission on Aug. 29, 2019. The Advisory Committee submitted its complete report and recommendations to TxDOT on Oct. 20, 2020, prior to the Oct. 31, 2020, deadline stated in HB 1079.
| Date | Location | Agenda | Summary | Presentation |
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Oct. 1, 2019 |
Lubbock, TX |
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Feb. 19, 2020 |
San Angelo, TX |
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July 15, 2020 |
WebEx (Virtual Meeting) |
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Aug. 20, 2020 |
WebEx (Virtual Meeting) |
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| Sept. 17, 2020 | WebEx (Virtual Meeting) | |
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| Oct. 15, 2020 | WebEx (Virtual Meeting) | |
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Segment Committees
The Advisory Committee established three Segment Committees on Oct.1, 2019, one for each geographic segment along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as shown in the corridor segment map. Each Segment Committee submitted its respective report providing input for the Ports-to-Plains study to the Advisory Committee by the June 30, 2020, deadline stated in HB1079.
| Date | Location | Agenda | Summary | Presentation | |
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| Segment 1 | Nov. 20, 2019 |
Amarillo Civic Center 401 S. Buchanan Street Amarillo, TX |
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| Segment 1 | Feb. 6, 2020 | TxDOT San Angelo District Office - WebEx 4502 Knickerbocker Rd. San Angelo, TX |
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| Segment 1 | April 1, 2020 | WebEx |
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| Segment 1 | May 14, 2020 | WebEx virtual meeting | |
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| Segment 1 | June 11, 2020 | Webex virtual meeting | |
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| Segment 2 | Nov. 18, 2019 |
Hotel Settles 200 East Third Street Big Spring, TX |
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| Segment 2 | Feb. 5, 2020 | TxDOT San Angelo District Office - WebEx 4502 Knickerbocker Rd. San Angelo, TX |
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| Segment 2 | April 2, 2020 | WebEx |
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| Segment 2 | May 13, 2020 | WebEx virtual meeting | |
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| Segment 2 | June 10, 2020 | WebEx virtual meeting | |
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| Segment 3 | Nov. 4, 2019 |
Del Rio Civic Center 1915 Veterans Blvd Del Rio, TX |
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| Segment 3 | Feb. 3, 2020 | Laredo College - Harold R. Yeary Library & Executive Conference Center 1 West End Washington Street Laredo, TX |
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| Segment 3 | April 3, 2020 | WebEx |
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| Segment 3 | May 11, 2020 | WebEx virtual meeting | |
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| Segment 3 | June 9, 2020 | WebEx virtual meeting | |
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Public Meetings
| Date | Location | Agenda | Summary | Presentation | |
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| Segment 1 | Amarillo Civic Center 401 S. Buchanan Street Amarillo, TX |
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| Segment 1 | May 14, 2020 | WebEx virtual meeting | |
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| Segment 2 | Feb. 4, 2020 | Tom Green County Stephens Central Library 33 West Beauregard Avenue San Angelo, TX |
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| Segment 2 | Feb. 19, 2020 | West Texas Training Center - Howard College 3501 N. US 67 San Angelo, TX 76905 |
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| Segment 2 | May 13, 2020 | WebEx virtual meeting | |
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| Segment 3 | Del Rio Civic Center 1915 Veterans Blvd Del Rio, TX |
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| Segment 3 | Feb. 3, 2020 | Laredo College, Harold R. Yeary Library & Executive Conference Center |
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| Segment 3 | May 11, 2020 | WebEx virtual meeting | |
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| Statewide | Aug. 25, 2020 | WebEx virtual meeting | |
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| Statewide | Aug. 26, 2020 | WebEx virtual meeting | |
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Study Maps and Information
Previous Study
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