Posted on August 11, 2021
Corpus Christi, TX, USA – The Port of Corpus Christi is expressing its full support for an amendment by the U.S. Senate to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package that expands congressional designation of Interstate 14 on a corridor across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.
The I-14 corridor would connect strategic military installations across those five states, but also provide greater roadway capacity parallel to Interstates 10 and 20 for freight movement and coastal evacuation. The move also provides greater access to military strategic seaports – like the Port of Corpus Christi – across each of the five states. The expanded I-14 corridor would primarily follow and upgrade existing highways along its more than 1,300-mile route, with new additions subject to environmental clearance and engineering processes.
“We are thankful for the leadership of Senator Ted Cruz and his counterparts in Congress for their action on this important infrastructure project for our nation’s future,” said Sean Strawbridge, Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi. “The Port of Corpus Christi, as one of this nation’s vital military strategic seaports, is pleased to see the value this will add to our nation’s military installations, while also providing increased efficiency and safety for freight mobility.”
The amendment to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package is the first step in a lengthy process that lies ahead to build out I-14. The focus now shifts to seeking funding for planning and construction of projects on the corridor, which the Port of Corpus Christi supports. Making the full I-14 corridor vision a reality will rely on cooperation between Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the departments of transportation in each of the states along the proposed route responsible for building highway infrastructure.
In 2015, Congress designated the Central Texas Corridor as future Interstate 14, with the first 25-mile section added to the Interstate Highway System in 2017. That portion of the Interstate 14 highway connects Fort Hood and Killeen to Interstate 35 at Belton.
“Infrastructure projects of this scale, while taking years and decades to fully construct, lay the foundation for the success of future generations,” said Charles W. Zahn Jr., Chairman of the Port of Corpus Christi Commission. “This amendment from our congressional leadership will go a long way to ensuring that economic growth, the safety of freight mobility, and supporting the mission of our nation’s military will remain protected priorities for years to come.”
About Port Corpus Christi
As a leader in U.S. Crude Oil export ports and a major economic engine of Texas and the nation, Port Corpus Christi is the largest port in the United States in total revenue tonnage. Strategically located on the western Gulf of Mexico with a 36-mile, soon to be 54-foot (MLLW) deep channel, Port Corpus Christi is a major gateway to international and domestic maritime commerce. The Port has excellent railroad and highway network connectivity via three North American Class-1 railroads and two major interstate highways. With an outstanding staff overseen by its seven-member commission, Port Corpus Christi is “Moving America’s Energy.” www.portofcc.com
