U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced legislation this week that would rename U.S. Highway 287 as Interstate 47 in honor of President Donald Trump, as the Republican senator faces a closely watched reelection runoff in Texas with Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Cornyn announced the proposal on Tuesday, calling the roadway the “Trump Interstate.”
“I am proud to introduce legislation to rename US Highway 287 as Interstate 47 in honor of our 47th President,” Cornyn wrote in a social media post.
I am proud to introduce legislation to rename US Highway 287 as Interstate 47 in honor of our 47th President @realDonaldTrump.
My bill will upgrade one of our nation’s longest highways to a future interstate and save more than $5 BILLION in travel costs, all while honoring the… https://t.co/Ua8lxoZUeN
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) May 12, 2026
The route stretches nearly 1,800 miles from Port Arthur, Texas, through the DFW metroplex, to Choteau, Montana, crossing Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. According to Cornyn’s office, it is the second-longest three-digit highway in the United States.
The legislation, co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, would also upgrade portions of the roadway to interstate standards. Cornyn’s office cited a 2025 Texas Department of Transportation study estimating the changes could reduce travel times by 7.37% and generate $5.4 billion in savings by 2050.
The study also found that upgrading roughly 632 miles in Texas not currently built to interstate standards would cost an estimated $24.5 billion while producing what the senator’s office described as a 161% return on investment through economic growth, job creation, and freight improvements.
“Texas is Trump Country & this bill cements @POTUS’ legacy by designating nearly 1,800 miles of open road to forever be known as the Trump interstate,” Cornyn wrote.
In a separate statement, Cornyn said the designation would stretch “from Texas’ Gulf Coast to the edge of the U.S.-Canadian border,” Audacy reported.
The proposal is the latest effort to attach Trump’s name to public landmarks and institutions. In recent months, Trump’s name has been added to sites including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and a roadway near Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
Cornyn introduced the measure as he campaigns against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a Republican Senate runoff scheduled for May 26. Neither candidate secured a majority during the March primary election. A recent University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll showed Paxton leading Cornyn by 3 % points, as reported by The Dallas Express.
The winner of the runoff will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November.
Trump has not endorsed either Republican candidate, though he has repeatedly said he plans to announce a decision. Following the March primary, Trump urged Republicans to unite behind the eventual nominee.
“Both John and Ken ran great races, but not good enough. Now, this one, must be PERFECT!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, as previously covered by The Dallas Express.
“My Endorsements within the Republican Party have been virtually insurmountable!” he added. “It is such an honor to realize that everyone I Endorse WINS, and wins by a lot, especially in Texas! I will be making my Endorsement soon, and will be asking the candidate that I don’t Endorse to immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE!”
