US 190 in Texas to become new Interstate 14 - I-14 Update

U.S. Highway 190 from Belton to Copperas Cove will be renamed Interstate 14 as part of the newly approved freeway that will span Central Texas. The upgrade was approved with the five-year federal transportation bill signed into law December 2015 with Amendment No. 6 (Babin (R-TX) designating the Central Texas Corridor as the future Interstate Route I-14.

Wile originally designated for the 14th Amendment (with its due process and equal protection clauses written after the American Civil War), in Gulf Coast states, I-14 has come to be called the “Forts to Ports” highway. In fact, the Interstate would connect several military bases not the least of which is Fort Benning, Georgia - likely the largest base most under served by Interstate access. Fort Gordon at Augusta, Georgia would also be served by I-14. If all of the proposed Interstate 14 is built, it would link 10 military installations from Texas to Georgia.

Economic development officials across Texas expect the new Interstate will vastly improve their abilities to recruit industry. An analysis of the Interstate system by the American Highway Users Alliance noted that the system has contributed mightily to the economies along the routes. 

This blog post was informed by a news article in the Temple Daily Telegram. Read the original article here. Other recent articles:

• Officials hope future interstate designation drives business interest
• Proposed Interstate 14 could impact Southwest Louisiana