Interstate 14

Interstate 14 Texas

Overview

Interstate 14 is the Central Texas Corridor, following U.S. 190 from Brady east to Killeen, Temple, Bryan-College Station, Livingston and Woodville, and SH 63 between Jasper and the Sabine River. The extension of IH 14 west to San Angelo was included in the Build Back Better Plan infrastructure bill approved by Congress on November 5, 2021. The corridor expansion includes a northern branch of IH 14 from San Angelo to IH 20 at Midland-Odessa and a southern branch paralleling U.S. 67 west to IH 10 near Fort Stockton.13

The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill also includes the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway, the extension of Interstate 14 east across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Build Back Better Plan. Approval of the bill funds phased improvements along the corridor.13

The Texas Transportation Commission announced on January 27, 2017 that the 25 mile long section of U.S. 190 between U.S. 190 Business (BU-190E) at Copperas Cove / Fort Cavazos and IH 35 at Belton was officially designated Interstate 14. Initial signs for IH 14 were unveiled on April 22, 2017. Completion of sign installation was slated for August or September of 2017, with guide sign changes taking place afterwards.14

Widening of Interstate 14 from four to six lanes between Harker Heights and Belton got underway with Phase 1 construction on April 2018. Phase 1 was completed in Spring 2019, with work on Phase 2, from Indian Trail to FM 2410 in west Belton, commencing in September 2019. Phase 2 construction was anticipated for completion by late 2021. Phase 3, from FM 2410 to IH 35, started on October 14, 2020. Work continued into 2023.15

History

During Fall 2013, city officials from Killeen, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights and Nolanville, Texas discussed and agreed on adding the designation of Interstate 14 along the freeway taking U.S. 190 from Copperas Cove to IH 35 in Bell County. The measure was sent to lawmakers in Austin and Washington. The existing freeway linking the four cities was already built to Interstate standards.7

The “Central Texas Corridor” was designated as High Priority Corridor 83 by Section 11204 of the draft House DRIVE Act bill, H.R. 22. It incorporates all of U.S. 190 east from IH 10 to Woodville, and SH 63 to the Sabine River Bridge at Burrs Crossing.8 Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST), a federal highway authorization bill signed into law on December 4, 2015, included Amendment No. 6 designating the Central Texas Corridor as future Interstate 14.9,10,11

Establishment of IH 14 along the 25 mile long stretch of U.S. 190 from U.S. 190 Business in Copperas Cove eastward to IH 35 was officially submitted for the May 24, 2016 meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (USRN).12 The USRN however rendered a negative decision for Interstate 14, deeming the number unacceptable and opting to work with Texas on another number choice.

Route Information

  • East End – Belton, TX

  • West End – Copperas Cove, TX

  • Mileage – 25.10

  • Cities – Copperas Cove, Killeen, Belton

  • Junctions

Source: December 31, 2021 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

I-14 Corridor Map - July 2014
The Alliance for I-69 Texas slide presentation from July 2014 shows the relationship of the Interstate 69 corridor with the potential corridor of I-14

The Central Texas Corridor proposal for Interstate 14 ties into the original 14th Amendment Highway Corridor proposed in 2004.

14th Amendment Highway

Proposed by U.S. Rep. Max Burns and other legislators in 2004 along with the 3rd Infantry Division Highway (Interstate 3), the 14th Amendment Highway, or Interstate 14, was envisioned to run west to Austin, Texas, and east to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, creating a “Gulf Coast Strategic Highway.” Under this scenario, to connect properly with the nearby Interstates, I-14 would continue west from Natchez to Alexandria, Jasper, College Station, and Austin.5 To the east, I-14 would extend east into South Carolina, where it would connect with Interstate 20.

The new freeway corridor would follow U.S. 84 from Louisiana into Mississippi through Natchez, Brookhaven, Laurel, and Waynesboro before entering Alabama. Once in Alabama, the route will follow U.S. 84 east to Grove Hill, then angle northeast via Clarke County Route 35 toward Camden. At Camden, the freeway would turn east again via SR 28 and SR 21, connecting with I-65 east of Hayneville via Lowndes County Route 26. From that point, I-14 would joing I-65 north to I-85 north, possibly using the planned SR 108 / Montgomery Outer Bypass. Near Tuskegee, I-14 would separate from I-85 and follow U.S. 80 east to Phenix City and enter Georgia at Columbus.

Following U.S. 80 and the freeway bypass of Columbus, I-14 would turn south on I-185, then southeast on U.S. 27-280/SR 1. I-14 would then shift east along SR 26 at Cusseta and continue to Interstate 75 in the vicinity of Perry, where it would converge with SR 96 and the Fall Line Freeway Corridor (SR 540 / High Priority Corridor 6). I-14 would then turn northeast through Warner Robins and connect with SR 88 via a new route between Irwinton and Sandersville. From there, I-14 would travel northeast via SR 88 and U.S. 1/SR 4 to meet I-520 in Augusta. I-14 would conclude at I-20 in Augusta via I-520.

The portion of Interstate 14 that overlays U.S. 80 is part of Congressional High Priority Corridor 6. Corridor 6 consists of the following:

  • U.S. 80 from Meridian to Montgomery via Demopolis and Selma
  • Interstate 85 from Montgomery to Auburn-Opelika
  • U.S. 80 or U.S. 280 from Auburn-Opelika to Columbus (overlaps I-14 corridor)
  • U.S. 80 from Columbus to Macon
  • Interstate 16 from Macon to Savannah

Interstate 14 is referred to as the “14th Amendment Highway.” This name honors the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which provides for equal rights to all persons in the United States, which is of particular importance in the Deep South, through which I-14 would traverse.

A 2006 news article6 indicated that plans were already afoot to extend Interstate 14 both east and west from the legislatively designated termini. According to the article, Interstate 14 would begin near El Paso, Texas, then extend east through eastern Texas, cross Louisiana, follow the planned route from Natchez to Augusta, then continue east to Wilmington, North Carolina. The freeway would be accompanied by rail, would connect ports, and provide access to various military bases along the way.6

Route Status

The concept of Interstate 14 (and companion I-3/Savannah River Parkway) was originally proposed by Republican Representative Max Burns from Georgia. A planned “Route Initiation Act” was authored by Rep. Burns in July 2004 for the 108th Congress that would authorize a study of the planned Interstate 14 corridor: “To require a study and report regarding the construction and designation of a new Interstate from Augusta, Georgia to Natchez, Mississippi.” This act is known as the “14th/14 Amendment Interstate Highway Initiation Act.” According to the act, the Interstate highway is necessary for several reasons, including (1) the economic development of the 11-state region known as the “Southern Black Belt” in a similar model to the Appalachian Regional Commission in 1965 and (2) providing for increased opportunity for a historically impoverished part of the country (the act actually identifies that those residents, “particularly the descendants of freed slaves, suffer from high unemployment, low incomes, low education levels, poor health, and high infant mortality.”4

Even though I-10 and I-20 are somewhat nearby, the act further states that “disparity in transportation infrastructure investment has been a key contributing factor to the persistent poverty and social ills of this region. The lack of adequate east-west Interstate highway access has provided a significant impediment to travel throughout the region, served as a severe obstacle to the attraction of industry and jobs, and has been a detriment to public health and transportation safety.” The last paragraph of Section 2 of the Act resolves that Interstate 14 should be constructed through the historic Southern Black Belt.

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by six members of Georgia’s delegation in late July; the legislation was written by Representative Burns. Companion legislation for I-14 and I-3 was filed in the Senate by Georgia Democrat Zell Miller and Georgia Republican Saxby Chambliss.1 The bill was assigned the designation H.R. 4925 and was introduced on July 22, 2004. The bill required the Secretary of Transportation to study the two proposed Interstate routes and present options for construction to Congress by December 31, 2004.4

On November 2, 2004, Representative Max Burns was defeated by Democrat John Barrow. Barrow continued efforts to lobby for the potential Interstate corridor. On August 10, 2005, the legislation to study the Interstate 14 corridor was signed into law by President George W. Bush as part of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). However, the Interstate 14 designation was not written into law. Here is the text from Section 1927 of SAFETEA-LU:

SEC. 1927. 14TH AMENDMENT HIGHWAY AND 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION HIGHWAY.

Not later than December 31, 2005, any funds made available to commission studies and reports regarding construction of a route linking Augusta, Georgia, Macon, Georgia, Columbus, Georgia, Montgomery, Alabama, and Natchez, Mississippi and a route linking through Savannah, Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, and Knoxville, Tennessee, shall be provided to the Secretary to-

  1. carry out a study and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the steps and estimated funding necessary to construct a route for the 14th Amendment Highway, from Augusta, Georgia, to Natchez, Mississippi (formerly designated the Fall Line Freeway in the State of Georgia); and
  2. carry out a study and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the steps and estimated funding necessary to designate and construct a route for the 3rd Infantry Division Highway, extending from Savannah, Georgia, to Knoxville, Tennessee, by way of Augusta, Georgia (formerly the Savannah River Parkway in the State of Georgia).

The 14th Amendment Highway Corridor report delivered to Congress on February 3, 2012 specified a 600 mile route for Interstate 14. The corridor would run from Natchez, Mississippi east to Montgomery, Alabama and Columbus, Macon and Augusta in Georgia. The route between Macon and Augusta would tie into I-20 near Exit 183 or I-520 near Fort Gordon. This 100 mile long stretch would involve new highway construction through Milledgeville, Sandersville and Wrens to connect with I-520 (Bobby Jones Expressway).

A similar report was filed on the 3rd Infantry Division Highway, Interstate 3 between Savannah, Augusta, western North Carolina and Knoxville. The report however did not identify funding for the corridor. The 14th Amendment Highway Study examined five options for the route with cost estimates ranging from $296 million to $7.7 billion. Rep. John Barrow indicated that he would continue efforts toward making the reports a reality.8

High Priority Corridor

Those portions of Proposed Interstate 14 that overlay U.S. 80 would be part of High Priority Corridor 6: U.S. 80 from Meridian to Macon. The corridor along Louisiana Highway 28 between the Sabine River and Alexandria is a part of High Priority Corridor 75 while 2015 legislation designated the corridor across Texas as High Priority Corridor 83.

East End I-35 – Belton, Texas

I-35 South West at

IH 35/US 190 south at IH 14 - Belton, TX

U.S. 190 combines with IH 35 south 5.7 miles from Temple to IH 14 west at Belton. 05/10/22

IH 35/US 190 south at IH 14 - Belton, TX

Entering Belton, IH 35/U.S. 190 meet SH 317 north and IH 14 west at succeeding exits. 05/10/22

IH 35/US 190 south at IH 14 - Belton, TX

U.S. 190 turns west along side IH 14 to Nolanville, Harker Heights and Killeen while IH 35 remains southward to Salado, Jarrell and Georgetown. 05/10/22

East at I-35

IH 14/US 190 east at IH 35 - Belton, TX

IH 14/U.S. 190 cross over SL 121 just ahead of the exit for IH 35 south, SH 317 (Main Street) north and FM 436 (Holland Road) east. This sign was removed during six lane expansion work along IH 14 in 2022. 08/02/19

IH 14/US 190 east at IH 35 - Belton, TX

An incomplete directional T interchange connects the east end of IH 14 with IH 35 north directly. The southbound IH 35 ramp utilizes the frontage road system. 05/10/22

IH 14/US 190 east at IH 35 - Belton, TX

U.S. 190 continues north onto IH 35 from IH 14 to Killeen. Central Avenue ties into the freeway at the ensuing exit. 05/10/22

I-35 North at

IH 35 north at IH 14/US 190 - Belton, TX

IH 35 advances north from a rural area by the Lampasas River to meet IH 14/U.S. 190 beyond the Bell County Expo Center. 05/10/22

IH 35 north at IH 14/US 190 - Belton, TX

A single lane flyover joins IH 35 northbound with IH 14/U.S. 190 west at Exit 293B. 05/10/22

IH 35 north at IH 14/US 190 - Belton, TX

Construction on the high flyover connecting IH 35 north with IH 14/U.S. 190 west commenced in Fall 2010. Work stopped in 2013 due to right of way issues, and eventually resumed in May 2014.15 The ramp did not open however until May 3, 2016.16 05/10/22

I-35 North at

IH 14/US 190 west - Belton, TX

The first westbound IH 14 confirming marker stands just beyond the exchange with IH 35. 05/10/22

West End – Fort Cavazos, Texas

West

IH 14/US 190 west at BU-190E - Copperas Cove, TX

IH 14/U.S. 190 crosses Fort Cavazos ahead of the separation with U.S. 190 Business to the Copperas Cove business district. 08/02/19

IH 14/US 190 west at BU-190E - Copperas Cove, TX

U.S. 190 splits with BU-190E at a wye interchange. BU-190E splits with SH 9, a northern bypass of Copperas Cove, to the immediate west. 08/02/19

IH 14/US 190 west at BU-190E - Copperas Cove, TX

The last shield for IH 14 directs motorists onto the two lane expressway taking U.S. 190 around Copperas Cove. 08/02/19

East at

US 190 east at IH 14/BU-190E - Copperas Cove, TX

U.S. 190 bypasses Copperas Cove to the south along a two lane expressway and converges with U.S. 190 Business (BU-190E) at the beginning of IH 14. 08/02/19

US 190 east at IH 14/BU-190E - Copperas Cove, TX

Traffic along U.S. 190 east shifts onto the beginning of IH 14 via a slip ramp from a stub end of the future frontage road system. IH 14/U.S. 190 combine east across Fort Cavazos to Killeen. 08/02/19

Sources

  1. “Highway idea may be boon for state: Lawmakers push 2 new interstates” by James Salzer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published on 07/23/04 (includes map of route for Interstate 14)
  2. Craig, Jeremy, “Interstate 3 and Interstate 14,” July 26, 2004, personal email from an Augusta resident.
  3. Craig, Jeremy, “RE: Interstate 3 and Interstate 14,” November 6, 2004, personal email from an Augusta resident.
  4. Representative Max Burns Official Webpage http://burns.house.gov/html/release.cfm?id=169
  5. Congressman Charlie Norwood Webpage: I-3, I-14 Initiation Bills Approved By U.S. House of Representatives (03/10/05) http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ga09_norwood/InterstatesApproved.html.
  6. Proposed I-14 highway would span from Wilmington to Texas, WWAY-TV3 (ABC Affiliate), May 25, 2006.
  7. “Local cities want to turn U.S. Highway 190 into an interstate.” KXXV-TV25, November 7, 2013.
  8. “Reports Details Plan For New Interstate.” Augusta Chronicle, The (GA), February 15, 2012.
  9. Re: Hwy 190 from Copperas Cove to Belton to be renamed I-14” online posting by Grzrd, AARoads Forum, October 14, 2015.
  10. “House ready to approve $325 billion highway bill.” Jamie Dupress’s Washington Insider, November 5, 2015.
  11. “US 190 to Become I-14.” KCEN, December 8, 2015.
  12. Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering meeting scheduled for May 24, 2016, agenda packet, AASHTO 2016 Spring Meeting in Des Moines, Iowa.
  13. “Congress approves Interstate 14, expands to 5 states in infrastructure bill; here’s what’s next.” San Angelo Standard-Times, November 9, 2021.
  14. Highway 190 is officially Interstate Highway 14 from Cove to Belton.Killeen Daily Herald (TX), January 26, 2017.
  15. “I-14 widening project continues.” Killeen Daily Herald (TX), December 30, 2020.
  16. “I-35, U.S. 190 flyover construction resumes in Belton.” Killeen Daily Herald (TX), May 25, 2014.
  17. “Flyover from I-35 to US 190 Finally Open.” KTEM NewsRadio 1400AM (Temple, TX), May 3, 2016.

Page updated May 16, 2022.