Open House for I-14 input set for Nov. 2
The TxDOT Bryan District is studying the future I-14 Central Texas Corridor from Rogers in Bell County to Huntsville in Walker County. This Study will determine the feasibility of a corridor and route for a roadway that meets interstate standards.
The I-14 Central Texas Corridor Study will align with ongoing statewide I-14 development and planning efforts to ensure consistency and continuity of the interstate corridor from west Texas to Louisiana. Additionally, the Study will include evaluation of the more recently designated future Loop I-214 around Bryan-College Station, which is anticipated to co-align with I-14 as it passes through the Bryan-College Station area.
An Open House public meeting will be held on Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at The Yards of Cameron.
In-person participants are welcome to come and go any time from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and will be able to review project materials, ask questions of TxDOT staff and/or consultants, and leave written comments.
People attending are asked to remember that access to The Yards is limited at this time. Please see the map included with this story for how to get to the yards while Adams Avenue is under construction.
The TxDOT Bryan District is studying the future I-14 Central Texas Corridor, which generally follows US 190 eastward from Rogers in Bell County to Huntsville in Walker County. This Study will determine the feasibility of a corridor and route for a roadway that meets interstate standards.
The I-14 Central Texas Corridor Study (Study) will align with ongoing I-14 development and planning efforts in Texas to ensure consistency and continuity of the interstate corridor from west Texas to Louisiana.
Additionally, the Study will include evaluation of the recently designated future Loop I-214 around the Cities of Bryan and College Station, which is expected to overlap with I-14 as it passes through the Bryan-College Station area.
Why is I-14
needed?
Existing US 190 and SH 30 within the Study area are key highways that connect many rural and urban communities, goods and services, and economic opportunities. These highways have several directional changes that serve local and regional traffic but may not be the most efficient east-west routes.
An optimized, safe, and reliable east-west interstate corridor would improve mobility for local, regional, and interstate freight traffic, provide connectivity for military operations and strategic ports, and add capacity to meet future traffic demands resulting from rapid population growth in Texas.
What are Interstate Standards? Interstate highways throughout the country must meet the same set of design standards outlined by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Requirements include:
• Controlled-access highway with limited points to enter and exit main lanes
• Adequate ramps to allow safe acceleration and deceleration for vehicles entering and exiting the main lanes
• Overpasses or underpasses at intersecting major roadways and railroad crossings
• Minimum design speed of 70 miles-per-hour (50 miles-per-hour in urban areas)
• Minimum of two travel lanes in each direction
• 12-foot lane widths
• 10-foot outside paved shoulders
• 4-foot inside paved shoulders
Process
Development for a project of this magnitude starts with a feasibility and route study, which will be conducted in three phases. The Study will encompass an area between Rogers in Bell County and Huntsville in Walker County, approximately 125 miles in length.
The Study area will include 11 counties and will be divided into sub-areas for detailed analysis. This process will identify whether some segments of existing roadways could be utilized for the I-14 corridor or if a new alignment would best serve future travel needs.
Several opportunities for public participation will be provided, including meeting with working groups, regular coordination with elected officials and local government staff, individual stakeholder meetings, public input surveys, and public meetings and events. Comments are welcome at any time, and notifications of opportunities to participate will be shared through webpage updates, email campaigns, mailers, and media, among other methods.