Interstate 14

Interstate 14 (I-14[lower-alpha 1]), also known as the 14th Amendment Highway, the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway, and the Central Texas Corridor, is an Interstate Highway that is currently located entirely in Central Texas, following US Highway 190 (US 190). The portion of the route that has been constructed and signed to date, the Central Texas Corridor along US 190 west of I-35 was officially designated as I-14 by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), signed by President Barack Obama on December 14, 2015.

Interstate 14 marker

Interstate 14

14th Amendment Highway
Gulf Coast Strategic Highway
Central Texas Corridor
I-14 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by TxDOT
Length25.1 mi[1] (40.4 km)
ExistedJanuary 26, 2017 (2017-01-26)[2]–present
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
West end US 190 / SH 9 in Copperas Cove
East end I-35 / US 190 near Belton
Location
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountiesCoryell, Bell
Highway system
← PR 13→ SH 14

The proposal for the "14th Amendment Highway" has its origins in the 2005 transportation bill, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The route was initially planned to have a western terminus at Natchez, Mississippi (later from I-49 near Alexandria, Louisiana), extending east through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, before ending at Augusta, Georgia, or North Augusta, South Carolina. Advocates of the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway subsequently proposed extending I-14 to I-10 near Fort Stockton and the junction of US 277 and I-10 near Sonora, Texas. The study and planning of I-14 has continued because of support and interest from both Congress and the associated state highway departments. The I-14 corridor, if ultimately constructed, would provide a national strategic link to numerous major military bases and major Gulf and Atlantic coasts ports used for overseas deployments in six states from Texas to South Carolina.

On November 15, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which designated the components of the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway corridor between Brady, Texas (including forks to I-20 in Midland and I-10 in Pecos County, Texas), and Augusta, Georgia, as High Priority Corridors of the National Highway System, forming a future extension of I-14.

Route description

I-14 currently begins just east of Copperas Cove at the US 190 and Business US 190 interchange. From there, it continues eastward concurrently with US 190 for just over 25 miles (40 km) before terminating at I-35 in Belton. Between the termini, I-14/US 190 passes through the western part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood metropolitan area, passing just south of Fort Cavazos and through Killeen as well as Harker Heights and Nolanville. It currently has 25 interchanges (including at its termini), including State Highway 201 (SH 201) in Fort Hood, SH 195 in Killeen, and Loop 121 in Belton. It runs concurrently with US 190, and its exit numbers are based on that highway's mileage.

History

The highway was proposed in 2005 as the "14th Amendment Highway" without an official Interstate Highway designation, with a western terminus at Natchez, Mississippi, extending east through the states of Mississippi and Alabama, before ending at Augusta, Georgia. The highway was named in honor of the Fourteenth Amendment, as the route would traverse the southern "Black Belt" region that formed the heart of the slave-based plantation economy of the 19th century.

US Representative Charlie Norwood of Georgia suggested the highway could be extended to Austin, Texas, in the west and Grand Strand, South Carolina, in the east.[4] SAFETEA-LU was signed into law by President George W. Bush on August 10, 2005. Congressional advocacy for the legislation spiked following the post-Hurricane Katrina logistics controversies.[5] The act included the 14th Amendment Highway and the 3rd Infantry Division Highway (I-3). The legislation did not provide funding for either highway. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has no funding identified beyond the Phase II studies to support long-range planning, environmental review, or construction which must be initiated at the state or regional level with any further direction from Congress. The western terminus was later changed to I-49 near Alexandria, Louisiana.

The 14th Amendment Highway and the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway concepts continued through active studies to the present as local and state interest began to surface and support in Congress, the FHWA, and, most importantly, in the associated state highway departments, all the key ingredients necessary to successfully justify funding any proposed federal-aid highway project. The FHWA issued its report on the 14th Amendment Highway to Congress in 2011 and made recommendation for further environmental and feasibility substudies; however, little action to fund these studies advanced in Congress after 2011. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) also conducted the US 190/IH-10 Feasibility Study in 2011, which concluded that it was justified to upgrade US 190 to a divided four-lane arterial highway based on traffic projections to 2040, but that upgrading US 190 to a full freeway through Texas was only justified if the 14th Amendment Highway is actually constructed from Louisiana to Georgia.

The I-14 concept became a reality when House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure members Brian Babin and Blake Farenthold authored and introduced the amendment to the 2015 FAST Act that created I-14 that generally follows US 190 in Texas. US Senator John Cornyn of Texas sponsored the amendment in the US Senate. The official Future I-14 designation[6] was approved when the FAST Act was signed into law on December 4, 2015, by President Obama.[7]

TxDOT moved forward with designating I-14 along US 190 from Copperas Cove to I-35 in Belton.[8] The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) originally denied approval of TxDOT's request for the number at their May 24, 2016, meeting of the Special Committee on US Route Numbering, the body responsible for approving designations in the US Numbered and Interstate highway systems.[9] The FHWA and AASHTO subsequently approved the I-14 designation.[10] The Texas Transportation Commission made the I-14 number official on January 26, 2017.[11] The official signage ceremony was held April 22, 2017, in Killeen, Texas, on the Central Texas College campus. More I-14 signs went up over the next few weeks.[12]

On April 11, 2019, US Representative Babin introduced the I-14 'Forts-to-Ports' bill—which could extend I-14 to Odessa—to the US House of Representatives.[13][14][15]

In August 2021, senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Raphael Warnock of Georgia introduced an amendment to the American Jobs Plan that would designate a corridor of I-14 to connect their respective states. The Interstate as envisioned would reach from the Midland–Odessa, Texas, metropolitan area in the west to Augusta, Georgia, in the east.[16] The bipartisan legislation aims to connect multiple military installations, including Fort Cavazos (previously Fort Hood) in Killeen, Texas (already connected); Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas; Fort Johnson (previously Fort Polk) in Leesville, Louisiana;[17] Louisiana National Guard Training Center Pineville (previously Camp Beauregard) in Pineville, Louisiana; Fort Moore (previously Fort Benning) in Columbus, Georgia; Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia; and Fort Gordon (to be renamed Fort Eisenhower in 2023) west of Augusta, Georgia.[18] This amendment was included in the final bill approved by the House and Senate and signed by President Joe Biden on November 15, 2021.[19][20]

Future

Existing route

Prior to being designated as I-14, US 190 was expanded from four to six lanes in Killeen, Texas, during a widening project that lasted from 2013 to late 2016. The project was estimated to be completed in 2014 but was delayed by other road expansion projects.[21] Plans to widen the existing route through Harker Heights to the I-35 intersection in Belton from four lanes to six lanes began in April 2018[22][23] and was completed in June 2023.[24] A $140,000 project to put up two new welcome signs in Nolanville was started in May 2023.[25][26]

Proposed extension

The IIJA designates an extended future I-14 corridor that would encompass the original "14th Amendment Highway" and "Gulf Coast Strategic Highway" concepts, including the following designated High Priority Corridors:[27][28][29]

  • High Priority Corridor 84, the Central Texas Corridor, including:[30]
    • 84(A): Commencing near State Highway Loop 338 (Loop 338) in Odessa, running eastward generally following I-20, connecting to State Highway 158 (SH 158) near Midland, then following SH 158 eastward before following US 87 southeastward, passing San Angelo, and connecting to US 190 near Brady. This northern fork has been designated "I-14 North".
    • 84(B): Commencing at the intersection of I-10 and US 190 in Pecos County, following US 190 to Brady. This southern fork has been designated "I-14 South".
    • 84(C): Following portions of US 190 eastward, passing near the central Texas cities of Fort Cavazos, Killeen, Belton, Temple, Bryan, College Station, Huntsville, Livingston, Woodville, and Jasper before connecting to SH 63 at the Burr's Ferry Bridge where it becomes Louisiana Highway 8 (LA 8) at the Louisiana border. I-14 will be concurrent with I-45 between Madisonville and Huntsville. This route also includes a loop generally encircling Bryan–College Station designated "I-214". This is currently the only part of the high-priority corridors to include a completed section of I-14.
    • 84(D): A new interstate (route number to be determined) following US 83 southward from the vicinity of Eden to I-10 at Junction.
    • 84(E): A new interstate (route number to be determined) following US 69 from I-10 in Beaumont north to US 190 near Woodville.
    • 84(F): A new interstate (route number to be determined) following US 96 from I-10 in Beaumont north to US 190 near Jasper.
    • 84(G): A new interstate (route number to be determined) following US 190, Farm to Market Road 305 (FM 305), and US 385 from I-10 in Pecos County to I-20 at Odessa.
  • High Priority Corridor 99, the Central Louisiana Corridor, commencing at the Sabine River bridge where SH 63 becomes LA 8 before following portions of LA 8 to Leesville, then eastward on LA 28, passing near Alexandria, Pineville, Walters, and Archie, to US 84 and US 425 at the Natchez–Vidalia Bridge at Vidalia.
  • High Priority Corridor 100, the Central Mississippi Corridor, including:
    • 100(A): Commencing at the Natchez–Vidalia Bridge at the Mississippi River and then generally following portions of US 84 passing in the vicinity of Natchez, Brookhaven, Monticello, Prentiss, and Collins, to I-59 near Laurel, and continuing on I-59 north to I-20 before joining I-59 and I-20 to the Alabama state line.
    • 100(B): Commencing near Laurel, running south on I-59 to US 98 near Hattiesburg, connecting to US 49 south then following US 49 south to I-10 in the vicinity of Gulfport and following Mississippi Highway 601 (MS 601)/I-310 south until the Mississippi State Port at Gulfport. The corridor overlaps parts of High Priority Corridors 93 (the South Mississippi Corridor) and 94 (the Kosciusko to Gulf Coast corridor).
  • High Priority Corridor 101, the Middle Alabama Corridor, including:[31]
  • High Priority Corridor 102, the Middle Georgia Corridor, including:

Texas

TxDOT is currently in the planning stages of construction on the rest of the route in the state[32] and started requesting public feedback in July 2023 to identify issues and opportunities along the proposed route.[33] Work on I-14N and I-14S in the Permian Basin is expected to require approximately 260 roadway projects, which includes 32 bridges, two interchanges, 89 miles (143 km) of added capacity, 136 miles (219 km) rehabilitated or maintained, and 66 miles (106 km) of new location. Planning for this is currently ongoing and expected to end in February 2024 with the design and work on the system expected to continue for at least a decade.[32] TxDOT's feasibility study on the rest of I-14 started in the Fall of 2021 and is expected to take seven years to complete. Construction in the Bryan–College Station metropolitan area is not expected to begin for another 15–20 years based on information provided by the Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization in 2022.[34]

Construction on an extension of I-14 to Temple is expected to begin in 2027[35][36] while a bypass is currently being built around Rogers.[37] A non-Interstate standard bypass was also built around Heidenheimer in the late 2000s. In July 2023, the Parsons Corporation (PSN) announced that it had been selected by TXDOT's Waco District to design the I-14 extension to Rogers as well as improve I-14/US 190/I-35 system interchange.[38][39]

On October 10, 2023, the Bryan division of TXDOT announced that they were launching a study for the I-14 corridor, which will generally follow US 190, from Rogers in Bell County eastward to Huntsville in Walker County. The study will also include the planned I-214 loop in the Bryan-College Station area. Several open houses for public input were announced as well.[40][41][42][43][44][45]

Currently, TxDOT and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) are working to replace the two-lane Burr's Ferry Bridge, which marks the eastern and western termini of Texas State Highway 63 (SH 63) and Louisiana Highway 8 (LA 8) respectively, over the Sabine River at the Texas-Louisiana state line. The new bridge will be built as to interstate-highway standards about a quarter mile to the south of the existing bridge. The construction of the replacement bridge is expected to start in 2024.[46]

Louisiana

LaDOTD has included I-14 in the state’s transportation plan, with the project as a whole estimated to cost $7 billion. The interstate has been seen as a way to spur growth in the currently declining populations across central Louisiana by providing a major east-west highway through the region. However, the project is unfunded and LaDOTD has made maintaining existing infrastructure a top priority for the time being as they also have a backlog of projects worth more than $18 billion.[46][47]

Georgia

The Columbus city council is currently collecting data and looking into the project that would bring I-14 through the city.[48]

Exit list

Exit numbers follow US 190's mile markers.

CountyLocationmikmExitDestinationsNotes
CoryellCopperas Cove0.000.00
 US 190 west – Lampasas		Continuation beyond western terminus
—

 Bus. US 190 west – Copperas Cove		Temporary western terminus
Fort Cavazos0.40.64277Clarke Road
Coryell–Bell
county line		1.82.9278Bell Tower Drive
2.33.7280A
SH 201 south (Clear Creek Road)
Bell3.15.0280BClear Creek Road northWestbound access via exit 280A
Killeen4.16.6281

 Bus. US 190 east / T.J. Mills Boulevard
4.87.7282Willow Springs Road
5.38.5283 SH 195 (Fort Hood Street)
7.211.6284Trimmier Road
7.812.6285W.S. Young Drive
8.814.2286 FM 3470 (Stan Schlueter Loop)No direct westbound exit (Signed at exit 287)
10.116.3287Rosewood Drive
Harker Heights10.817.4288 FM 2410 (Knight's Way)
12.019.3289 FM 3423 (Indian Trail)
13.321.4290

 Bus. US 190 west / Nola Ruth Boulevard		No westbound entrance
Nolanville15.424.8292 FM Spur 439 (Main Street) – Nolanville
16.626.7293Paddy Hamilton Road
​18.429.6295Frontage RoadNo eastbound entrance
​19.130.7296 FM 2410 (Simmons Road)
​20.232.5297George Wilson Road
Belton21.835.1299 FM 1670 (Stillhouse Hollow Dam Road)
23.137.2300 Loop 121
23.938.5301
 I-35 south / SH 317 (Main Street) / FM 436 (Holland Road) / Connell Street		Eastbound exit and entrance; I-35 exit 293B northbound
24.839.9
 I-35 north (US 190 east)		Eastern terminus; eastern end of US 190 concurrency; I-35 exit 293A
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Auxiliary route

I-14 in Texas is proposed to have one auxiliary route, Interstate 214 (I-214), which would serve as a loop for Bryan–College Station.[27]

See also

Notes
  1. Some sources use "IH-14", as "IH" is an abbreviation used by TxDOT for Interstate Highways.[3]

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from "TEXT OF AMENDMENTS (Senate - August 02, 2021)". Congressional Record. United States Government. Vol. 167, no. 137.

  1. Starks, Edward (January 27, 2022). "Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways". FHWA Route Log and Finder List. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  2. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "Interstate Highway No. 14". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  3. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "Highway Designations Glossary". Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  4. Office of Senator Johnny Isakson (April 28, 2005). "Chambliss, Isakson Seek to Include Study of Two Proposed New Interstates in National Highway Funding Bill" (Press release). Office of Senator Johnny Isakson. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  5. "Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition: Project Overview". Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  6. "Interstate 14 Designation by Congress in FAST Act". Ports-to-Plains Blog. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  7. Hill, Chris (December 31, 2015). "FAST Act creates future I-14 from Central Texas Corridor, US 190". Equipment World's Better Roads News. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  8. Texas Transportation Commission (April 28, 2016). "Agenda" (PDF). Texas Department of Transportation. p. 2. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  9. Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (May 24, 2016). "Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 16, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  10. Texas Transportation Commission (January 26, 2017). "Minute Order" (PDF). Texas Department of Transportation. p. 1. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  11. Bryant, David (January 26, 2017). "Highway 190 is officially Interstate Highway 14 from Cove to Belton". Killeen Daily Herald.
  12. Dowland, Jacqueline. "Interstate through Killeen: Officials celebrate the new I-14". Killeen Daily Herald. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  13. "Rep. Babin introduces 'Forts to Ports' I-14 bill". Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  14. Bryant, David A. "'Forts to Ports' Bill Reintroduced in House of Representatives". The Killeen Daily Herald.
  15. "Bill could extend I-14 to Odessa". Odessa American. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  16. Koplowitz, Howard (August 5, 2021). "Plans for Alabama's newest interstate, I-14, progress in US Senate". AL.com. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  17. "Progress Being Made on Three-State I-14 Corridor Designation Expansion". Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  18. "I-14 through San Angelo? Amendment to infrastructure bill brings it closer to reality". Concho Valley Homepage. August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  19. "Congress designates Interstate 14 across five states with I-14 corridor through San Angelo". San Angelo Standard-Times. November 15, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  20. Helm, Claire (November 16, 2021). "Rep. Bishop: Infrastructure bill is 'win-win' for Georgians". WGXA. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  21. Thorp, Clay (April 12, 2016). "TxDOT: U.S. 190 project may be finished by fall". Killeen Daily Herald. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  22. Dowling, Jack (July 2, 2021). "I-14 expansion marches forward". Killeen Daily Herald. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  23. "TxDOT Project Tracker". TxDOT Project Tracker. January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022. Project ID: 023104060; Description: Widen Road - Add Lanes; Est. Complete Date: 6/30/2023
  24. Brooks, Jacob (June 2, 2023). "All 6 lanes of I-14 are open from the I-35 merger in Belton to the top of Nolanville Hill". Killeen Daily Herald. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  25. Kilcrease, Jana Lynn (May 8, 2023). "New signs coming to Nolanville". The Killeen Daily Herald. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  26. Oden, Madeline (July 7, 2023). "Nolanville I-14 welcome signs near completion". The Killeen Daily Herald. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  27. "Statutory Listing of Corridor Descriptions - High Priority Corridors - National Highway System - Planning - FHWA". www.fhwa.dot.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  28. DeFazio, Peter A. (November 15, 2021). "Text: H.R.3684, 117th Congress (2021-2022): Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act". United States Congress. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  29. "Congress designates Interstate 14 across five states with I-14 corridor through San Angelo". Standard-Times. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  30. "I-14 System in Texas". www.txdot.gov. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  31. Koplowitz, Howard (August 5, 2021). "Plans for Alabama's newest interstate, I-14, progress in US Senate". al. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  32. McEwen, Mella (February 4, 2023). "Baby steps will eventually result in new Interstate 14". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  33. McGovern, Matt (July 25, 2023). "TxDOT wants your feedback on proposed I-14 changes". KWKT FOX 44. Waco, Texas: KWKT-TV. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  34. Falls, Clay (March 21, 2022). "Interstate 14 could take 15-20 years to come to fruition". Bryan, Texas: KBTX-TV. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  35. Stone, David (January 28, 2023). "Highway construction: I-14 expansion through Temple could start by 2027". Temple Daily Telegram. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  36. Stone, David (January 28, 2023). "Highway construction: I-14 expansion through Temple could start by 2027". The Killeen Daily Herald. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  37. Baker, Jarell (July 27, 2021). "Rogers residents go days without water due to TxDOT bypass construction". 25 News KXXV and KRHD. Waco, Texas: KXXV-TV. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  38. Agarwal, Vansh (July 19, 2023). "Parsons to design Texas Interstate Highway 14 expansion". Seeking Alpha. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  39. "Parsons to Design Texas Interstate Highway 14 Expansion". Seeking Alpha. July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  40. Lewis, Julia (October 11, 2023). "New update for the proposed Interstate 14 that would cross into Bryan". Bryan, Texas: KBTX-TV. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  41. "I-14 Central Texas Corridor Study". Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  42. Oliver, Bill (October 10, 2023). "Texas Department Of Transportation Wants Your Opinion About Where To Build Interstate 14 Through The Brazos Valley". College Station, Texas: WTAW-AM. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  43. Andrade, Mikayla (October 10, 2023). "TxDot looking for feedback on I-14 route study". Bryan, Texas: KAGS-LD. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  44. Peters, Julie (October 6, 2023). "TxDOT Asking For Input Regarding Interstate 14 Through Public Meetings". Willy 1550 & 98.7 - Navasota. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  45. "TxDOT to hold open houses for I-14 Central Corridor study". The Eagle. October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  46. Roberts III, Faimon A. (October 18, 2023). "A new interstate across Louisiana could save small towns. But it will take years to build". NOLA.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  47. Brown, Falon (October 18, 2023). "Proposed Interstate 14 would run through central Louisiana, connect Texas with Georgia". WBRZ. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  48. Giles, James (May 10, 2023). "Efforts underway to establish I-14 in Columbus, connecting west TX to GA". www.wtvm.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
Template:Attached KML/Interstate 14
KML is not from Wikidata
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Interstate 14.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.