I–47 Future Interstate Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4484
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T20:29:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 4484: I-47 Future Interstate Act of 2026
Purpose
This bill aims to designate a specific segment of United States Route 287 as a future Interstate highway, numbered Interstate Route I-47, to recognize it as a high-priority corridor for potential upgrades and federal support.
Key Provisions
- Adds to high-priority corridors: Amends Section 1105(c) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) by adding a new paragraph (103), designating U.S. Route 287 from State Highway 87 in Port Arthur, Texas, to U.S. Route 89 in Choteau, Montana, as a high-priority corridor.
- Official Interstate designation: Updates Section 1105(e)(5) of ISTEA to include this corridor in the Interstate System and explicitly names it Interstate Route I-47.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands the list of designated future Interstate corridors in ISTEA by inserting the new U.S. Route 287 segment.
- Modifies references in ISTEA to incorporate the new corridor (previously up to (c)(102)) and assigns the specific "I-47" numbering.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) may prioritize this route for federal funding, planning, and improvements under Interstate programs, potentially increasing maintenance and upgrade costs.
- Citizens: Improved safety, capacity, and connectivity for drivers, freight haulers, and communities along the ~1,800-mile route through Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.
- No direct international relations impact, as it is a domestic highway designation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State and local governments: Texas, Montana, and intervening states (e.g., Oklahoma, Wyoming) for infrastructure planning and funding opportunities.
- U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT): Responsible for implementation and potential federal highway investments.
- Residents and businesses: Along the route, benefiting from enhanced transportation links for commerce, travel, and economic development.
- Introduced by: Senators Cornyn (TX) and Lummis (WY), indicating regional support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Designation as a high-priority corridor does not mandate immediate construction or funding but qualifies the route for federal highway programs (high-priority corridor means a road prioritized for future Interstate development under federal law).
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; falls under Congress's authority over interstate commerce and highways (Article I, Section 8).
- Political: Supports regional infrastructure goals in rural and energy-producing areas, potentially boosting bipartisan interest in transportation funding without major controversy. Referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2026-05-11: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- I–47 Future Interstate Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-11 — PDF (2 pages)