Ports-to-Plains Alliance Starts 2016 Conference in San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, TX - The Ports-to-Plains Alliance gathered representatives from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to discuss the future of international transportation during the three-day conference from September 13 - 15.

Michael Reeves, President of the Alliance, explained how these changes affect the communities involved.

“This conference provides an opportunity to give more information about the corridor," he said. "It also provides networking opportunities by showing we can work together to provide transportation, and infrastructure [enhancements], that will improve the economy.”

The “corridor” he mentioned is comprised of existing highways that connect Alberta, Canada, all the way to Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico. The Ports-to-Plains services a 4,950-plus mile-long corridor with these highways.

Having this connectivity allows businesses to trade goods with markets across the nation and in other countries.  

Reeves noted that San Angelo is one of the larger cities in the initiative and has served a major role in the process. The extensions of I-14 and I-35 will provide San Angelo a unique opportunity being in the crossroads of two interstates.

“There is a lot of good momentum going forward for trade to grow and with creating new jobs,” Reeves said. “That’s what we are all about, creating jobs for our communities.”

San Angelo Mayor, Dwain Morrison was present on the opening night of the conference and provided his input with the Ports-to-Plains Alliance.

“This organization wants to make four-lane divided highways,” Morrison said. “They are currently working to have this initiative connect Texas all the way to Canada’s border, and back the way to Mexico as well.”  

One of the main reasons for the initiative is four-lane highways are shown statistically to be safer than two lanes.

“We use existing right of ways, so no property is being purchased,” Morrison said. “We can take a single-lane road and make them into a two-lane divided highway.”  

He emphasized that the safety of road conditions is the main priority, which also allows San Angelo to continue moving forward in commerce with local businesses.    

The 2016 Conference proceeded this morning with introductory speeches and will continue to have guest speakers throughout the conference. Click here (*.pdf) to see the agenda for the week. 

Ports-to-Plains is a grassroots alliance of over 275 communities and businesses, including alliance partners Heartland Expressway, Theodore Roosevelt Expressway and Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor Coalition, whose mission is to advocate for a robust international transportation infrastructure to promote economic security and prosperity throughout North America's energy and agricultural heartland including Mexico to Canada.