PORTS-TO-PLAINS CORRIDOR INTERSTATE FEASIBILITY STUDY STRATFORD 87 287 DALHART 54 DUMAS 87 60 40 AMARILLO 60 27 385 LAMESALUBBOCK 84 SEGMENT 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 380 TAHOKA JUNE 30, 2020 BIG SPRING 180 LAMESA MIDLAND ODESSA 349 BIG SPRING MIDLAND SAN ANGELO 158 ODESSA 87 20 385 SAN ANGELO ELDORADO 67 SONORA 190 ELDORADO 10 96 SONORA 83 277 DEL RIO EAGLE PASS 277 35 CARRIZO SPRINGS GULF OF MEXICO MEXICO 1 PORTS-TO-PLAINS CORRIDOR INTERSTATE FEASIBILITY STUDY (HB 1079) LAREDO 281 SEGMENT #2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study (House Bill 1079) The Ports-to-Plains Corridor is an international, national and state significant transportation corridor that connects and integrates Texas’ key economic engines, international trade, energy production and agriculture. The corridor also plays a vital role in supporting the growing demographic and economic centers of South and West Texas. The corridor functions as the only north- south corridor facilitating the movement of people and goods in South and West Texas and beyond. Purpose of this Report The Segment #2 Committee Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study Report (Segment #2 Committee Report) provides the recommendations and priorities of the Segment #2 Committee members for improvements to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor in Segment #2. The Segment Committee #2 Report meets the requirements outlined in House Bill 1079 that was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 10, 2019. The recommendations in this Segment #2 Committee Report will be used by the Ports-to-Plains Advisory Committee to make their recommendations on improvements to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor to the Texas Department of Transportation. SEGMENT #2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE COMMITTEE REPORT 3 SEGMENT 2 Significance of the Transportation Corridor The Ports-to-Plains Corridor plays a critical role in the nation’s food, energy, and national security. Ports-to- Ports-to-Plains Corridor Feasibility Study (HB 1079) - Corridor Energy Production Stratford Plains ab87 ab83 The Ports-to-Plains Corridor is a vital energy trade corridor that connects the Permian Basin and Dalhart ab287 ab54 Dumas Eagle Ford Shale production areas. Importing materials and equipment for extraction requires Corridor a significant amount of freight, much of which relies on the Ports-to-Plains Corridor energy ab60 ab87 Oklahoma development to grow. Amarillo #!"$40 The Permian Basin The Permian Basin The Eagle Ford Shale Overview comprises... accounted for... produced... of U.S. crude oil $ of the state’s taxes ab385 % 9 5.5 cubic feet of natural gas Approximately 963 miles of 32 production Billion and royalties from oil Million New Mexico "27 #$! or and gas producers primarily rural area in West ab70 barrels of oil per day in of U.S. natural gas 990 and South Texas ab62 % % of the total 2019 13 production 67 Thousand Lubbock ab81 Wind is also a critical component of the energy economy in west Texas. Much of that Designated by Congress as Tahoka Denton ab75 production comes from the counties along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. ab84 ab380 a High Priority Corridor Plano Irving !"$635 on the National Highway Lamesa 180 # ab ab183 #!"$30 System in 1998 281 Agriculture Production ab87 #!"$20 Abilene ab #!"$45 Big Spring ST349 Denton Agriculture is a key driver of economic industry in the Ports-to-Plains Corridor, especially in the Midland ab283 Sterling City Spans 26 counties and Odessa ST158 northern section of the corridor. The production and export of quality agricultural products (crops, ab67 is comprised of sections livestock, dairy, etc.) generates billions of dollars and relies directly on highway networks for TEXAS of Interstate 20 (I-20), San Angelo transport of products to market. 285 ab #!"$14 Interstate 27 (I-27), Annual Agriculture Sales within Three of the top yearly agricultural commodities in Texas are: ab190 Interstate 35 (I-35), US 83, #!"$10 Eldorado the Ports-to-Plains Corridor #!"$35 ab79 US 87, US 277, US 287, Sonora Cattle Cotton Milk State Highway 158, and ab290 ab77 State Highway 349 ab277 ab377 $ $ $ $ ab90 Billion11 12.3Billion 2.6Billion 2.1Billion COAHUILA Del Rio Connects to the state’s #!"$410 Ciudad and the nation’s strategic Acuña -,29 ab83 ab57 trade gateways of Laredo, Piedras Eagle Pass ab181 Mexico Negras Carrizo Eagle Pass, and Del Rio -,57 Springs #!"$37 International Trade National Defense and Security to destinations north, west ab83 The corridor connects to the state’s and the nation’s There are several military installations and ab59 and east -,2 #$!"35 strategic trade gateways of Laredo, Eagle Pass, border enforcement facilities located along the Nuevo and Del Rio. The corridor is critical to the continued Corridor. Existing I-27 in Segment #1, portions of N Study Corridor LaredM o economic prosperity of South and West Texas. Segment #2 and Segment #3 are on the Strategic 1 Laredo Existing I-27 85 Highway Network. Improvements to the corridor NUEVO-, Gulf of In 2018... County Mexico could result in additions to the Strategic Highway W LEÓN The three border crossings accounted for Network and improve mobility on all that is TAMAULIPAS of U.S.-Mexico billion % $ currently designated. 50 cross-border trade 262 in trade % of Texas-Mexico 66 cross-border trade 4 PORTS-TO-PLAINS CORRIDOR INTERSTATE FEASIBILITY STUDY (HB 1079) SEGMENT #2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE COMMITTEE REPORT 5 SEGMENT 2 Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Feasibility Segment #2 House Bill 1079 Study Segments House Bill (HB) 1079 requires TxDOT to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor, as defined by Texas Transportation Code 225.069. The study must evaluate the feasibility of, and costs and logistical matters associated with, improvements to the corridor that create a continuous-flow, four-lane divided highway that meets interstate standards to the extent possible. HB 1079 describes the composition of the Segment Committees, consisting of volunteers who may represent municipalities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations (MPO), ports, chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations along the segment. Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study Milestone Dates 6 PORTS-TO-PLAINS CORRIDOR INTERSTATE FEASIBILITY STUDY (HB 1079) SEGMENT #2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE COMMITTEE REPORT 7 SEGMENT 2 Segment Committee District Study Goals Meetings Coordination The Segment #2 Committee met live five times during the • Provided current studies and roadway Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study. The construction projects The goals of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Segment Committee’s roles and responsibilities included • Reviewed cost estimate methodology Feasibility Study include an examination and electing a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson to assist in and cost estimates the development of meeting materials, attending Segment determination of: Committee meetings, providing feedback on corridor data • Provided insight for frontage roads and analysis presented by TxDOT, and providing segment- in rural areas specific study recommendations for consideration by the • Participated in Segment Committee Freight movement along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Advisory Committee. and Public meetings The ability of the energy industry to transport products to market The economic development impacts of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor, including whether the improvement or expansion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor would create employment opportunities in this state Whether improvements or expansion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor would relieve traffic congestion in the segment Prioritization of improvements and expansion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor that are warranted in order to promote safety and mobility, while maximizing the use of existing highways to the greatest extent possible and striving to protect private property as much as possible Public Outreach The areas that are preferable and suitable for interstate designation The purpose of the outreach was to establish A key component of the stakeholder early and continuous public participation engagement for the Ports-to-Plains opportunities that provided information Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study was Project costs related to the improvement or expansion about transportation issues and decision- a robust public engagement process in of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor making processes to all interested parties. accordance with requirements of HB 1079. This provided access to information about Federal, state, local, and private funding sources for a project improving or the study to enhance the public’s knowledge Eight public meetings were held expanding the Ports-to-Plains Corridor and ability to participate in the development between November 2019 and May of the study and to receive feedback on 2020 on a quarterly basis at key preliminary recommendations made by the study milestones as per HB 1079 committees before submitting reports. requirements. 8 PORTS-TO-PLAINS CORRIDOR INTERSTATE FEASIBILITY STUDY (HB 1079) SEGMENT #2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE COMMITTEE REPORT 9 SEGMENT 2 Economic Segment #2 Top Industries Existing and Future Corridor Conditions Mining, Quarrying, 15% and Oil/Gas Extraction Economic indicators such as 17% employment, income, and gross Health Care and domestic product (GDP) indicate Social Assistance Population substantial future growth in Segment 21% #2 and the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. 23% Retail Trade Educational Services From 1990 to 2020, Segment #2 & Corridor Population Median household income in Segment population in Segment #2 #2 is anticipated to grow 135% to 24% Construction has grown 29%, compared 3.5 M $125,376 in 2050, compared to the to 33% in the overall Ports- Corridor at 161%. to-Plains Corridor. 3 M Segment #2 Forecasted Employment: 2050 Employment by Industry Gross domestic product in Segment #2 2.5 M is anticipated to grow 76% by 2050, Much of this growth has 2 M compared to the Corridor at 69%. occurred in the Permian Basin, which has some of 1.5 M Health care, retail trade, and the highest growth rates in 1 M educational services are all major the corridor.