HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2017-R0015 - Support For The Extension Of Interstate 27 - 01/12/2017Resolution No.2017-R0015
Item No.6.18
January 12,2017
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 AssessmentReport
on the Extension of I-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 Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Laredo;and
WHEREAS,the proposed extension of Interstate 27 will be a major backbone for the energy
industry inTexas serving top oil and gas producing counties as well asthe 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 of1-2''/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:
Section 1. That the City of Lubbock supports the extension of Interstate 27.
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.
Passed by the City Council this 12th day of Januar; , 2017.
7A�
DANIEL M. POPE, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Rebe ca Garza, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
(�41
W. Jarrofi Atkinson, City Manager
ccdocs/RES.I-27 Support Resolution
December 19, 2016