Interstate 14 on its way across Texas



Take a look at the impact of the 25 most congested freeways in Texas. less U.S. 190 as it spans the Colorado river between San Saba and Lampasas, seen here in 2000, could become Interstate 14 as soon as numerous improvements along the highway are completed and the road is dedicated and brought up to interstate standards. U.S. 190 as it spans the Colorado river between San Saba and Lampasas, seen here in 2000, could become Interstate 14 as soon as numerous improvements along the highway are completed and the road is dedicated ... more Photo: E. Joseph Deering, Houston Chronicle Photo: E. Joseph Deering, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close Interstate 14 on its way across Texas 1 / 39 Back to Gallery

Texas is getting a new interstate, as part of a long-term federal transportation bill.

Interstate 14 will be cobbled together mostly from U.S. 190 and other existing roads to create a new freeway from western Texas to the Louisiana border. The Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition, based in Austin, announced the designation Tuesday.

The interstate will take years to build as highway segments must be brought up to freeway standards such as no at-grade intersections and various safety upgrades to allow for higher speeds.

According to the coalition, I-14 will connect Killeen, Belton, Bryan-College Station, Huntsville, Livingston, Woodville and Jasper before terminating at Texas 63 at the Sabine River.

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Houston-area drivers would most likely encounter the new interstate where it crosses Interstate 45 in Huntsville, among the most used routes to and from Houston.

In western Texas, the route remains in flux.

“The language included in the highway bill provides for it to end in the west where U.S. 190 connects with (Interstate) 10 going to Fort Bliss at El Paso,” said Gary Bushell, an Austin attorney assisting the coalition. “However it has been suggested to us that we might want to have it turn northwest at Brady, Texas, and end on (Interstate) 20 at Midland. It would then provide connectivity for that petroleum producing region and the Port of Corpus Christi and the Port of Beaumont.”

Federal lawmakers, including Texas Sen. John Cornyn, lauded the economic benefits of another freeway crossing the state.

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“There is a reason this interstate already has a nickname, ‘Forts to Ports,' as it provides either direct or very close access for some of our country's most strategically important military and shipping assets," said Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, who represents eastern portions of the Houston area.

The designation is the first of many steps to convert federal and state highways into I-14. Efforts to turn portions of U.S. 59 into Interstate 69, for example, have taken decades, with many more sections to go.

In many spots, it will take rebuilding and potentially re-routing the highway. Bushell said officials are still working through some of those specifics, including where U.S. 190 currently shares roadway with I-45 northeast of Huntsville.

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"Where possible we would want to stay on existing highway footprints but that may not be possible in some places," Bushell said.

To make the conversion official, federal agencies and groups have to approve dedication of segments once they meet interstate standards.