U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) and Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30) introduced legislation to modify the way the federal government distributes transportation funds in TEA-21. H.R. 2220 reforms the “borders and corridors” program in TEA-21, which will ultimately ease congestion in the Dallas/Fort Worth area brought on by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

“I-35 and all of the North Texas highways encompass a geographic crossroads for international trade. Over the years, the area has seen an explosion of traffic since the creation of NAFTA. Unfortunately, funding to Texas has not kept up with the pace of traffic and growth,” said Congressman Burgess. “I am proud to introduce legislation that works to cure this problem and ensures Texas is no longer shortchanged by misdirected money to non-border states and corridors lacking international significance.”

The Borders and Corridors Program was established as part of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) in 1998. The Burgess/Johnson legislation will bring the borders and corridors program back to its original purpose and would give priority consideration to corridors in which traffic has increased since the date of enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation and is projected to increase in the future. This change will work to alleviate the gridlock caused by NAFTA traffic.

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson added, "Improving the I-35 and the NAFTA trade corridor is not only necessary to ease the massive congestion and bottleneck in and around the Central Business District of Dallas but also to promote economic revitalization of communities south of the Trinity River. It is also vital in order to accommodate increased trade flows as a result of the enactment of NAFTA. If mobility in the region is to be saved from further degradation, it is essential that the federal government continue its funding partnership of these critical links in the region's transportation system."

In Texas, Interstate 35 extends from Laredo, the busiest U.S. border crossing into Mexico, to Duluth, Minnesota. One third of the highway is in Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Of $57 billion in U.S. trade to Mexico annually, 78 percent moves through Laredo, and much of that on Interstate 35. The North American Superhighway’s Coalition estimates it will take $3.4 billion to upgrade Interstate 35 over the next five years. Texas alone would require about $2.87 billion.

“In Texas, the increased transportation congestion on our highways could minimize economic opportunity and investment. Establishing more specific criteria for the allocation of transportation funds for international trade corridors will lead to the development of an efficient, seamless, intermodal trade and transportation system for the Dallas/Fort Worth area and the entire state,” commented Congressman Burgess.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison introduced similar legislation on Wednesday, May 21st.