Texas may soon see its newest Interstate if US 287 is upgraded, potentially providing a more direct trade route from the Texas coast to the Panhandle. A US 287 Interstate Feasibility Study from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), published this summer, outlines a $24.5 billion project to transform US 287 into an Interstate, reported WFAA.
The proposed corridor would connect Port Arthur to Fort Worth and then extend north to Amarillo.
The study estimates that the project could increase the state’s gross domestic product by $11.6 billion by 2050 and create roughly 47,000 jobs, with a projected net return on investment of $39.6 billion.
According to the study, the upgrade would also help ease congestion on some of the nation’s busiest roads and reduce travel time by an average of 44 minutes per vehicle.
“The Interstate Build scenario would also create a more efficient route, with increased market access radius and route reliability,” the study states.
US 287 currently spans 671 miles, overlapping with 39 miles of existing Interstates. The remaining 613 miles would need to be upgraded to meet Interstate standards, including at least two travel lanes in each direction, paved shoulders, and adequate ramp lengths.
The study notes 54 overpasses “will need to be upgraded to comply with interstate standards.”
Before construction could begin, Congress would need to designate US 287 as an Interstate, according to the Dallas Business Journal. TxDOT emphasizes that no specific federal or state funding has been set aside for the project.
The study also highlights potential safety and traffic benefits: a projected 28% reduction in traffic accidents and a 116% increase in average daily truck traffic.
“US 287 serves as a vital corridor for business activities and will remain a key driver of economic growth,” as well as national defense, freight transport, and regional travel. Planning and funding decisions will be key to maintaining the highway’s role as an important link between Southeast and Northwest Texas, and connecting the state to broader transportation networks.
