U.S. Route 87: Difference between revisions

On March 15, 2022, [[Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022|a bill]] was signed by President [[Joe Biden]] that added the extension of I-27 from its termini in [[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]] and [[Lubbock, Texas]], northward to [[Raton, New Mexico]], and southward to [[Laredo, Texas]], respectively to the Interstate Highway System utilizing the US 87 corridor. The interstate's northern terminus would be at [[Interstate 25 in New Mexico|I-25]].<ref>{{Cite news |first=Alex |last=Driggars |date=March 15, 2022 |title=Raton to Laredo corridor added to Interstate Highway System, paving way for I-27 expansion |url=https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/2022/03/15/lubbock-amarillo-interstate-27-expansion-gets-federal-designation-omnibus-bill/7052683001/ |access-date=March 17, 2022 |website=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715184743/https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/2022/03/15/lubbock-amarillo-interstate-27-expansion-gets-federal-designation-omnibus-bill/7052683001/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A bill introduced in 2023 would explicitly designate the extension as I-27 with two [[List of auxiliary Interstate Highways|auxiliary routes]] numbered I-227 and I-327. I-227 is proposed to be routed via [[Texas State Highway 158|SH&nbsp;158]] from [[Sterling City, Texas|Sterling City]] to Midland and [[Texas State Highway 349|SH&nbsp;349]] from Midland to [[Lamesa, Texas|Lamesa]]; I-327 would utilize US&nbsp;287 from [[Dumas, Texas|Dumas]] to the [[Oklahoma]] border.<ref>{{USBill|118|s|992|pipe=Text of the I–27 Numbering Act of 2023|site=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Alex |last=Driggars |date=March 28, 2023 |title=Cruz, Cornyn introduce legislation to name I-27 extension project|url=https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2023/03/28/cruz-cornyn-introduce-legislation-to-name-i-27-extension-project/70056698007/|website=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal |language=en |access-date=April 4, 2023}}</ref><!--Lubbock Avalanche-Journal erroneously states US 87 being used for the IH 327 corridor from Dumas to Oklahoma border; US 87 does not enter Oklahoma.--> However, after legislation passed through the U.S. Senate in August 2023, I-227 and I-327 were respectively redesignated as I-27W and I-27N, with I-27E replacing the proposed I-27 between Sterling City and Lamesa.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McEwen |first1=Mella |title=Senate passes act to create I-27 West through Midland |url=https://www.mrt.com/business/article/senate-passes-act-create-i-27-west-midland-18270534.php |access-date=25 January 2024 |work=Midland Reporter Telegram |date=1 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bordner |first1=Zachery |title=MOTRAN talks I-27, what it means for Midland/Odessa, Big Spring |url=https://www.yourbasin.com/news/motran-talks-i-27-what-it-means-for-midland-odessa-big-spring/ |access-date=25 January 2024 |work=Yourbasin |date=5 August 2023}}</ref>