The H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, signed on February 3, 2026, delivers $19.24 million in federal funding to advance critical planning, safety, and infrastructure projects across the Ports-to-Plains Alliance corridor, strengthening regional connectivity, freight mobility, and future interstate development.
TEXAS INVESTMENTS
August Pfluger secured $1 million for future interstate planning between San Angelo and Sonora. These funds will advance schematic design, environmental review, and planning for the proposed I-27 segment. This positions the project for inclusion in the Texas Unified Transportation Plan and supports long-term regional economic development.
Ronny Jackson secured funding for two major projects:
- $1 million for State Loop 335 – Upgrade to freeway in Amarillo (TxDOT Project ID 2494-02-011),
supporting conversion of the corridor to a controlled-access facility with main lanes, ramps, frontage
roads, multimodal accommodations, and four multi-level interchanges to improve safety and mobility. - $1 million for interstate planning and a city location study at Dumas, advancing alignment planning,
connecting the city of Dumas with US 87, a key step in maintaining momentum toward I-27
implementation.
Jodey Arrington successfully advocated for two projects in Lamesa: - $640,000 for a study of Lamesa operational improvements and interstate upgrade options to
evaluate near-term traffic flow improvements at a critical I-27 split location. - $5 million for operational improvements in Lamesa, converting existing US 87 and Business 87
(Dallas Avenue) into one-way pairs to enhance safety and traffic flow while future interstate planning
continues.
NEW MEXICO INVESTMENTS - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján secured $1.6 million for Ports-to-Plains corridor
interstate planning between Raton and Clayton, including an I-27 / I-25 Interchange Alignment Study.
Funding supports alternative analysis, environmental documentation, and preliminary design for a segment that
is already four-lane divided, as well as city location studies for Des Moines and Capulin. - Teresa Leger-Fernandez championed $1 million for interstate planning and a city location study at
Raton, assisting the New Mexico Department of Transportation in determining the future alignment between
US 87 (Future I-27) and I-25 to support economic development and regional connectivity.
COLORADO INVESTMENT - Lauren Boebert secured $2 million for the SH 71 Corridor Improvements Project along the Heartland
Expressway. The project, included in CDOT’s 10-Year Plan, will advance reconstruction, shoulder widening,
safety improvements, operational upgrades, and Intelligent Transportation Systems across approximately 27.5
miles in eastern Colorado.
NEBRASKA INVESTMENT - Deb Fischer championed $6.0 million for Heartland Expressway safety enhancements between Chadron
and the Nebraska–South Dakota state line, strengthening a critical North–South trade corridor
