By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
City council members unanimously passed a resolution of support requested by the Ports-to-
Plains Alliance to seek federal funding for highway projects associated with the proposed Ports-
to-Plains Corridor.
The resolution in support of the highways project, designated “the Acuña-Del Rio II Connector,”
was discussed at the council’s April 8 regular meeting.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez made the motion to approve the resolution, and
Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez gave the second.
In a memo included as part of the council’s informational packet, Assistant City Manager
Manuel Chavez, noted the Ports-to-Plains Alliance has requested support from the City of Del
Rio “for community project funding for the preparation of interstate plans, specifications and
estimates for the Acuña-Del Rio II Connector,” which will be sent to U.S. Congressman Tony
Gonzales.
Additional information included in the council packet described the two main interstate segments
to be supported by the project, including connecting Future Interstate Segment (FIS) 0022-10
on U.S. 277 between I-10 and the U.S. 277 Interchange at Sonora, Texas, to U.S. 277 and U.S.
90 at Del Rio and FIS 0023-01 on U.S. 277 between U.S. 277 and U.S. 90 Interchange at Del
Rio to U.S. 277 and SH 480 Interchange at Eagle Pass, Texas.
The information also noted that “these projects were included in the I-27 System in (the) Texas
Implementation Plan published by the Texas Department of Transportation on Aug. 8, 2024.”
Chavez in his memo told council the funding request being made to Gonzales’ office is for $6.4
million.
As mentioned on its official website, The Ports-to-Plains Alliance is a non-profit group composed
of more than 200 organizations and businesses from across nine states focusing on expanding
the highway system on the corridor extending from Mexico to Canada.
The council resolution on the support request notes that the Ports-to-Plains Corridor is expected
to serve as an energy, agriculture and international trade corridor, as well as “a cost effective
way to reduce congestion on neighboring highways Interstate 25 and Interstate 35.”
The Ports-to-Plains Alliance is also requesting support from Val Verde County, the Del Rio
Chamber of Commerce, the Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Del Rio Development
Foundation, the city of Ciudad Acuña, Coah., Mexico, and Canacintra Ciudad Acuña.
