HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2019-R0108 - I-27 Extension - 03/26/2019 Resolution No. 2019-RO 108
Item No. 7.21
March 26, 2019
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Congress has already designated the Ports-to-Plains Corridor in Texas as a
High Priority Corridor on the National Highway System; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Transportation published an Initial Assessment
Report on the Extension of'1-27/Ports to Plains Corridor in November, 2015 which stated: "The
corridor will continue to be a critical link to state, national and international trade, growing
population centers and critical energy and agricultural business sectors"; and
WHEREAS, according to the Texas Freight Mobility Plan, "By 2040 over 73 percent of
Texas' population and 82 percent of the state's employment is projected to be located within five
miles of an interstate"; and
WHEREAS, Texas has no major north-south interstate west of Interstate 35; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Freight Mobility Plan notes that further investment alone on 1-35
will not fix the problem saying, "The state must focus not only on improving existing facilities,
but also on developing future freight corridors to move products to markets and exports"; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Freight Mobility Plan goes on to recommend that TxDOT, "give
additional consideration to the extension or designation of other interstate routes. Examples
include I-27 and upgrades to portions of US Highway 190 to interstate standards"; and
WHEREAS, the proposed extension of Interstate 27 connects major West Texas
population and economic centers including Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa and San Angelo
in addition to numerous smaller communities; and
WHEREAS, the proposed extension of Interstate 27 intersects with Interstate 40,
Interstate 20 and Interstate 10; and
WHEREAS, the proposed extension of Interstate 27 will serve three border crossings
with Mexico at Laredo, Eagle Pass and Del Rio; and
WHEREAS, the proposed extension of Interstate 27 will be a major backbone for the
energy industry in Texas serving top oil and gas producing counties as well as the growing wind
energy industry; and
WHEREAS, the proposed extension of Interstate 27 will also serve the agriculture
industry including many of "Texas top counties for the production of cotton, cattle, sheep and
goats and other commodities; and
WHEREAS, extending Interstate 27 in Texas is also a cost-effective option. The Texas
Department of Transportation's Initial Assessment Report on the Extension of I-27/Ports to
Plains Corridor estimated that it would cost about$7 billion to upgrade the nearly 1,000 miles of
the Ports-to-Plains Corridor from the northern tip of Texas to Laredo. To extend Interstate-27
approximately 500 miles from Lubbock to Laredo is projected to cost $5.2 billion. Compare that
to the $4.8 billion it cost to rebuild 28 mile section of Interstate 35 east from Interstate 635 to
U.S. Highway 380 in Dallas County; and
WHEREAS, an additional cost saving option is associated with the primarily east-west,
recently designated, Interstate 14 which includes a proposed segment that overlaps the Ports-to-
Plains Corridor between Midland-Odessa and San Angelo, presenting an opportunity for that
segment to be jointly designated as Interstate 14 and Interstate 27; and
WHEREAS, a future Interstate designation will be a significant new economic
development tool for communities along the corridor. Site selectors for manufacturers,
warehousing and distribution recommend sites along an interstate highway and travel services
businesses such as hotels, truck stops, convenience stores and restaurants, which can have a
dramatic impact on small communities will also expand. This will create much needed new jobs
and expanded tax base in rural West Texas; and
WHEREAS, while designation as a future interstate is the first step in a very long
process before the completion of an interstate highway, that does not lessen the importance of
extending Interstate 27.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LUBBOCK,TEXAS
Section 1. That the City of Lubbock supports the designation of the extension of Interstate 27 as
a Future Interstate by Congress and urges the Texas Department of Transportation to support
such designation.
Section 2. This resolution to be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.
Section 3. If any portion or provision of this resolution shall for any reason be held to be invalid
or unenforceable, the invalidity or unenforceability of such portion or provision shall not affect
any of the remaining provisions of this Resolution, the intention being that the same are
severable.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 26th _day of rch , 2019.
DANIEL M. P E, MAYOR
ATTEST:
aQ
Re ecca Garza, City Sketar
APPROVED AS TO CONTEND:
W. Jarr tt Atkinson, City Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
C ad Weaver, City Attorney
ccdocs/RES.Supporting the Designation of an Extension of Interstate 27
March 19,2019