Ultimate Interstates:I-27 Extension
The Ultimate Interstate 27 extension would expand the I-27 corridor From its current routing from Amarillo to Lubbock, TX to extend northward to Limon, Colorado and northwestward toward Raton, New Mexico. The route would also be extended to the south via Midland and Big Springs, Texas, toward San Angelo, the Rio Grande Valley with its southern ending at I-35 north of Laredo Texas.
Corridor Routing
Northern Extension
Ultimate Interstate 27 would continue north from Amarillo, Texas, likely bypassing the city to the west and then continuing northward to Dumas, Texas where it would split into two routes. One heading northwestward to connect to I-25 in Raton, New Mexico, and the other continuing northward and ending at US-287 at the Oklahoma State line. From there it could continue northward ending at I-70 in Limon, Colorado.
There is a possibility of I-27 being continued further north along CO-71 ending at I-76 instead east of Fort Morgan, Colorado where it would connect to the planned Heartland Expressway and Theodore Roosevelt Expressway which at this time are in the conceptual phase only and it is currently unclear if these two expressway system concepts will result in new Interstate construction or will only result in functional upgrades to existing highway systems.
Southern Extension
Ultimate Interstate 27 would extend southward along US-87 from Lubbock, Texas to Lamesa where it would split into two corridors. The west branch would traverse to the southwest along TX-349 to connect to I-20 in Midland, Texas, then continue east along TX-158 toward Sterling City. The eastern branch follows US-87 southeast crossing I-20 at Big Spring, Texas then continuing southeastward toward Sterling City where both routes would rejoin and continue eastward along US-87 to San Angelo. From there the highway would roughly follow US-277 south and southeastward, crossing I-10 near Sonora, Texas and Continuing southward passing through Del Rio & Eagle Pass, Texas. From there the route would continue southwestward near US-83 to I-35 north of Laredo, Texas.
Amarillo Downtown Gap Closure
Ideally the best alternative would be to continue I-27 through downtown Amarillo. Currently US-87 splits into 4 one-way streets in downtown Amarillo (two northbound and two southbound) and there is a significant amount of development along this section that would need to be acquired as right-of-way and then demolished to make room for a new freeway. It appears that TXDOT has instead opted for a western routing instead due to the extensive cost and destruction that would need to occur to make this route option a reality. More than likely the section of I-27 leading into downtown would become an interstate spur instead.
Amarillo Western Routing
The westward routing seems to be TXDOTs preferred routing. With the highway intended to continue around the western side of Amarillo along an upgraded LOOP 335 instead. Connecting ramps to and from existing I-27 in the north and south sides of Amarillo would provide a continuous through traffic to follow the bypass loop instead of continuing along existing I-27. The orphaned section of I-27 inside the 335 loop would then likely become an auxiliary interstate spur.
Purpose and Need
I-27 as currently configured is a stub interstate route connecting only to I-40 and is the principal route connecting Lubbock to Amarillo. However there is no connection to any other part of the Texas interstate system leaving a missing link in the interstate system. With I-27 being part of the high priority "Ports to Plains" corridor it is essential for interstate commerce and can provide better connections to the upper plains states by being upgraded to interstate standards. Safety and congestion management is also a concern. Most of the highways in this area have high freight traffic but many of the roads are 2-lane highways that are becoming congested with truck traffic causing delays and dangerous passing situations.
Route Numberings
From north to south the planned route numberings have been proposed:
- I-27 - Raton, NM to Dumas, TX (shown on the map as I-527)
- I-27N - OK state line to Dumas, TX (shown on the map as I-27)
- I-27 - Dumas, TX to Lamesa, TX (via Amarillo and Lubbock)
- I-27W - Lamesa, TX to Sterling City, TX (via Midland, TX)
- I-27E - Lamesa, TX to Sterling City, TX (via Big Spring, TX)
- I-27E - Sterling City, TX to North of Laredo, TX (via San Angelo, TX)
Auxiliary Routes
Potential Auxiliary routes for the I-27 corridor could include:
- I-227 - following
Plausibility
Since the corridor has already been designated as a high priority corridor this interstate expansion could become a reality. Transportation investments and other projects should be completed with that ultimate goal in mind.