|
August 2025 Volume 23 Issue 8
|
|
|
|
We are a voice for our small town, grassroots members who may otherwise not have access to the right audiences, as well as a conduit for industry to come together in support and promotion of transportation improvements. We are committed to working as an Alliance to improve transportation infrastructure and business networks opportunities, by advocating for appropriate funding levels, so business and industry can thrive. We are focused on the economic and business interests that are the lifeblood of the region. |
|
|
|
PRESIDENT’S CORNER |
|
|
September will mark my completion of three years at the helm of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance. As I look back and think about it, what we have accomplished these last three years looks quite impressive. Due to the hard work of your Alliance in Texas, over $3 billion is either under construction or programmed in the 10-year Unified Transportation Program (UTP), with another $7 billion in the department’s long-range plan (10 to 20 years). The importance of this last amount will become apparent if and when we are successful in securing a dedicated federal funding source to upgrade future interstate corridors. Also, with the power of our New Mexico congressional leaders, our corridor from Clayton to Raton is moving forward with planning funds to look at upgrading to interstate standards. Further north, again with the help of Nebraska congressional leadership, work is continuing to progress on the Heartland Expressway. Finally, North Dakota is on fire by funding further segments of the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway including some planning funds to complete the environmental assessment from IH 90 to the South Dakota state line. In spite of all of this work, as I have traveled our corridors this summer setting the tables for our federal vision of a future interstate highway bill, I still get the question about how long it will take to complete. For over 25 years we have been punching away at completing these rural corridors to four-lane divided standards without a dedicated funding source. Every DOT from Texas to Montana has had to evaluate their infrastructure priorities in order to provide at least some measurable level of service for the traveling public. These rural corridors will not win in that equation. |
|
Now we are talking about upgrading to interstate standards. “Lauren, if it took 25 years to complete 43% of our system to four-lane divided, how long will it take to make it interstate?” I am not going to lie to you, 25 to 30 years! And that is even with a dedicated source of funding. When the Federal Interstate Highway Act was passed in 1956, it took until 1992 to complete this national highway system. The completion of the IH 70 segment through Glenwood Canyon Colorado marked that event 36 years after the funding bill passed. The difference that dedicated funding gives us, however, is that after 25 years you will have a completed interstate system and not half a corridor at four-lane divided standards. So now, when I look at my three-year tenure on this job, I realize that I have only just begun. I would remind everyone that we are working for a better tomorrow for our children, grandchildren and maybe for our great-grandchildren. As I close this newsletter, I want to thank all of the communities along our corridors for passing the three resolutions we have shared with you. A shout out to Gering Nebraska who passed all three unanimously on Monday as I listened in. And I want to thank all of those communities who will take up our three resolutions soon. Armed with these passed resolutions, we will take our advocacy efforts to D.C. this fall and next spring and accomplish “Something Big.”
Link to Conference Website: https://www.portstoplains.com/conference/2025-annual-conference/ Includes Conference Registration (no Cost for DOT) and Lodging Info more to come … Lauren D. Garduño |
|
|
|
Advocate for Three Federal Transportation Proposals |
|
The Ports-to-Plains Alliance has a unique opportunity to do Something Big for our corridor — strengthening the path to funding, construction, and economic growth for communities from Mexico to Canada. Three proposals are now before Congress that will:
|
|
|
Why It Matters Take Action: Adopt resolutions urging Congress to include a Multi-State Future Interstate Formula Program, Interstate Feasibility Study, and Future Interstate Designation and Route Numbering. Multi-state Future Interstate Formula Program (For more information see: https://www.portstoplains.com/multi-state-future-interstate-highway-formula-program/ ● Download the Resolution and bring it before city council, board of county commissioners, board of directors, etc. Once executed please send a digital copy to Joe Kiely, Vice President of Operations joe.kiely@portstoplains.com.
Future Interstate Highway Feasibility Study (For more information see: https://www.portstoplains.com/future-interstate-feasibility-study/ ● Download the Resolution and bring it before city council, board of county commissioners, board of directors, etc. Once executed please send a digital copy to Joe Kiely, Vice President of Operations joe.kiely@portstoplains.com.
Designation and Route Numbering (For more information see: https://www.portstoplains.com/future-interstate-designation-numbering-future-interstate-segments/ ● Download the Resolution and bring it before city council, board of county commissioners, board of directors, etc. Once executed please send a digital copy to Joe Kiely, Vice President of Operations joe.kiely@portstoplains.com.
Communities, chambers, counties, cities, MPOs, and transportation coalitions across the country are uniting to call for a dedicated funding mechanism to complete these vital corridors. Let’s build what’s next—with the same boldness that built the Interstate System 70 years ago. |
|
|
|
2025 Ports-to-Plains Alliance Conference Speaker Highlight |
|
|
Driving Consensus: Public Involvement and the Interstate Advantage |
|
An Interstate Highway brings change. People are often concerned about whether that change is good or bad. One of the important answers is created by Public Involvement. It is critical that you and your community participate in that Public Involvement. What does Public Involvement mean? Based on experience, Ms. Benningfield will provide you with specific answers. Public Involvement is not a single event but multiple events during multiple stages of study before construction can move forward. Corridor Feasibility Studies will begin the process of determining, the benefit vs. cost of upgrading a highway to Interstate standards. The Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study is available to review at https://www.txdot.gov/projects/projects-studies/statewide/ports-to-plains-corridor.html. Public Involvement included Advisory Committee meetings where city and county leadership met six times between October 2019 and October 2020 representing the regions along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. These meeting were open to the public. Additionally, three Segment Committees were created to focus on smaller segments of the corridor and included the Advisory Board members as well as volunteers representing metropolitan planning organizations, ports, chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations, the agriculture industry, oil and gas industry, the trucking industry; TxDOT District representatives; and any other interested parties participated. Each Segment Committee held five open meetings. Finally, the Advisory Committee held two statewide Public Meetings and the Segment Committees held 2-3 Public Meetings within each segment. Once designated as a Future Interstate, many other Public Involvement opportunities will determine through City Location Studies, locations of frontage roads, and grade separations, as well as environmental impacts the path of the new Interstate Highway. Stacey Benningfield leads RK&K’s transportation practice across Texas, overseeing complex multimodal planning, environmental documentation, agency coordination, public outreach, and project delivery. With over 40 years of experience in large-scale public-sector transportation—including extensive NEPA expertise and stakeholder engagement—she is committed to advancing safe, efficient, and innovative infrastructure that serves communities statewide. Learn about the Public Involvement processes and how you can participate. INVOLVE YOURSELF! |
|
|
|
2025 Conference Information and Registration is Now Available |
|
|
Date: September 30 – October 2, 2025 Click Here to View/Download 2025 Conference Information With meeting room capacity of about 200, with a month left before the Conference, we have 114 registrations already. Exhibit Space Available – Claim a spot now! There will be exhibit space available at the Overton Hotel and Conference Center. We have 20- 10×10 spaces with a table available. Space is comped for Platinum Sponsors. For others the cost is $200 which includes one comped registration. Let Tina Scarborough ((806)777-4162 – tina.scarborough@portstoplains.com) or Joe Kiely ((719)740-2240 – joe.kiely@portstoplains.com) know of your interest or questions. Conference Highlights
Networking Opportunities
Sponsorship Opportunities Show your support for the Ports-to-Plains Alliance!
Link to Sponsorship Opportunities Lodging Overton Hotel & Conference Center, 2322 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, TX 79401 Double Queen @ $142 per night Book Online with the Direct Booking Link or by phone with Overton’s reservations office by calling 806.776.7000. **Specify the block name of: “Ports to Plains Annual Conference 2025” *When you click the link it will take you to the group reservations page. It will automatically put the check in as and check-out date as the two peak nights available in the block (9/30 & 10/1); you will have to adjust the check-in and check-out dates to your desired stay and click UPDATE. Nights for 9/29, 9/30, 10/1 & 10/2 are available in the block. ** Book by September 15th to get the Ports-to-Plains group rates. |
|
|
|
Heartland Expressway Association Hosts Annual Meeting in Alliance, NE |
|
The Heartland Expressway Association held its annual meeting Thursday August 21, 2025 at Golden Hour Barbecue in Alliance, drawing 34 attendees, including elected officials, community leaders, and stakeholders from across the region. Among those in attendance was State Senator Paul Strommen of Sidney, reflecting the strong political support for the Expressway’s continued development. Project Updates: Minatare to US 385 Austin Kellogg, District 5 Construction Engineer with Nebraska Department of Transportation provided an update on the final leg of the promised four-lane divided highway between Minatare and US 385. While the segment has received environmental clearance, several challenges remain, including utility relocation, irrigation ditch adjustments, and construction of a major bridge. To maximize available funding, including Congressionally Directed Spending resources secured by U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (NE), the project has been divided into Phase A and Phase B to ensure funds are used before authorization expires. Right-of-way acquisition is underway but progressing slowly. Kellogg also noted that work on the Chadron-north segment remains on schedule; while planning for the Alliance-to-Chadron super-two upgrade will likely begin in the coming years. Big Picture Advocacy: The “Big Ask” Lauren Garduño, President/CEO of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, shared the latest from the Ports-to-Plains Alliance and partner coalitions, focusing on the “Big Ask”—a coordinated advocacy effort that includes three key federal proposals:
His presentation helped connect the dots between regional priorities and federal action, reinforcing the importance of passing resolutions in support of these initiatives. |
|
|
Strong Regional Support The meeting also served as a reunion, with former board members Mike Dafney and Tim Garwood among those in attendance. Association leaders reported continued momentum, with municipalities and counties across the corridor passing resolutions of support. Attendees were encouraged to help expand outreach by engaging chambers of commerce, tourism boards, and other organizations to adopt resolutions. |
|
|
Click Here to View or Download Heartland Expressway Association Annual Report: https://pal.memberclicks.net/assets/Newsletter_2025/August2025/2025_Heartland_Expressway_Annual_Report.pdf. |
|
|
|
I-27 from Amarillo to Dumas Feasibility Study Report |
|
Another Milestone completed by the TxDOT Amarillo District. The I-27 from Amarillo to Dumas Feasibility Study Report has been finalized. This is the first step in planning for City Location Studies in Amarillo and Dumas. Thanks to the Amarillo District for moving this forward, especially, Blair Johnson, District Engineer, and Kit Black, Director of Transportation Planning and Development. This completes the first step in planning two City Location Studies and one Future Interstate Segment from the I-27 Implementation Plan. To view or download the Final Document: https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot/get-involved/ama/i-27/072925-final-study-report.pdf. |
|
I-27 Feasibility Study Overview The I-27 Feasibility Study evaluates the potential upgrade of US 87/US 287 to interstate standards from Amarillo to Dumas, focusing on improving connectivity and safety.
Study Area and Segmentation The study area is divided into three distinct segments to address varying needs along the corridor.
|
|
|
Planning Process and Public Involvement The feasibility study follows a multi-phase planning process with significant public and stakeholder engagement.
Existing and Forecasted Conditions The study assesses existing conditions and forecasts future needs for the corridor.
Roadway Characteristics and Safety Roadway characteristics vary significantly across the study area, impacting safety and access.
Demographic Overview of Study Area The study area reflects diverse demographic patterns in Texas, particularly in age, race, and education.
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.