Senator John Cornyn has proposed legislation to rename Highway 287 as Interstate 47 in recognition of former President Donald Trump. This highway, which stretches from Port Arthur, Texas, to Choteau, Montana, ranks as the second-longest three-digit highway in the United States.
Cornyn articulated his reasoning for the name change on social media, stating that it would honor “the most effective and influential president of our lifetime.”
He emphasized the significance of this legislation, saying, “Texas is Trump Country, and this bill cements that legacy by designating nearly 1,800 miles of open road from Texas’ Gulf Coast to the edge of the U.S.-Canadian border as I-47 to forever be remembered as Trump Interstate.” He further noted that transforming one of the nation’s longest highways into an interstate would not only commemorate Trump’s presidency but also foster economic growth and enhance safety.
Highway 287 is vital for freight transportation, with over 923 million tons moved along the route in Texas alone in 2022. The highway serves major Texas cities, including Beaumont, Fort Worth, and Amarillo. A study conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation estimated that converting Highway 287 into an interstate would require an investment of approximately $24.52 billion. However, the project is projected to create nearly 46,885 jobs and generate an estimated $11.6 billion in GDP growth by 2050.
This proposal arrives as Cornyn finds himself in a competitive U.S. Senate runoff against Attorney General Ken Paxton, with the former president yet to endorse a candidate in this race.
Early voting for the runoff begins on Monday, and the victorious candidate on May 26 will go on to face Democrat James Talarico in the upcoming November election.
