14th Amendment Highway ("I-14")

[Grzrd]

14th Amendment Highway ("I-14") expert working group (EWG) has posted its findings regarding "control points" from Natchez MS to Augusta GA:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/section_1927/14th_amendment_highway/control_points/technical_memo.cfm

EDIT

Here's a link to route alternatives being worked on by EWG:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/section_1927/14th_amendment_highway/expert_working_group/meeting_minutes2.cfm

[Stephane Dumas]

I think they could go a step further with I-14 by extending it west to Louisiana to reach I-49 at Alexandria.

[NE2]

Looks like it overlaps http://elcaminocorridor.org/ in Mississippi, where four-laning of US 84 is almost done. Georgia's currently building their Fall Line "Freeway". As for Alabama, I guess the decision is whether they want to prioritize US 84 or US 80 (I-85 extension).

[Bryant5493]

Looking at this map, I wonder (if this route is ever built) would it be quicker to take this highway to Biloxi from Atlanta, or would I-85>I-65>I-10 still be the way to go?


Be well,

Bryant

[Grzrd]

I think they could go a step further with I-14 by extending it west to Louisiana to reach I-49 at Alexandria.

Augusta to Natchez is mandate in the statute.  However, here is a link to an earlier thread about a plan to incorporate "I-14" into a proposed Gulf Coast Strategic Highway System that would include both Louisiana and Texas:

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3429.0

[Alps]

It looks like they want to use the I-85 extension, so the only new highway will be Birmingham-Augusta. There could be another east-west corridor across the middle of Mississippi to Natchez, but why? I-69 will be picking up whatever does come out of this, hence the lack of extension to Alexandria, but really, just build the eastern half of this proposal into Georgia.

[NE2]

Georgia is building it, just not as a full freeway: http://dot.ga.gov/informationcenter/programs/roadimprovement/GRIP/Documents/Facts/FallLineFreewayFactSheet.pdf

[Grzrd]

Georgia is building it, just not as a full freeway: http://dot.ga.gov/informationcenter/programs/roadimprovement/GRIP/Documents/Facts/FallLineFreewayFactSheet.pdf

I seriously doubt that much, if any, of the 14th Amendment Highway will ultimately be interstate standard.  Here's a link to a description of the four highway design levels that the FHWA EWG is studying for the project:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/section_1927/14th_amendment_highway/design_levels/technical_memo.cfm

Also, here's a link to the "full interstate" and "use of existing highways" alternatives developed by the EWG in December (I overlooked this in my original post, but will edit original post to include it as well as provide it here):

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/section_1927/14th_amendment_highway/expert_working_group/meeting_minutes2.cfm

[NE2]

I agree, and don't think a freeway is necessary. Hence my saying that the main part yet to be built will be in Alabama.

[Grzrd]

I think they could go a step further with I-14 by extending it west to Louisiana to reach I-49 at Alexandria.

Augusta to Natchez is mandate in the statute.  However, here is a link to an earlier thread about a plan to incorporate "I-14" into a proposed Gulf Coast Strategic Highway System that would include both Louisiana and Texas:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3429.0

One of the leading advocates for the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway System ("GCSHS"), Elton Pody, recently passed away, and an editorial reflecting upon his career indicates that the GCSHS is still on the political radar screen:
http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20110329/OPINION/103290338

...When his colleagues carry the message to Baton Rouge, they will "hear" the sound of Pody's voice as they talk about significant opportunities.
Among them is the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway, or Interstate 14, the designation for a proposed freeway corridor between Natchez, Miss., and Augusta, Ga. That corridor may be extended west to Austin, Texas, and east to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Important to Pody and Central Louisiana is that I-14 would travel west from Natchez and through Alexandria on its way to Austin.
Congress is discussing that project as part of a transportation bill, and Pody could talk about it in detail from the perspective of any point on the compass...

[kaothinterceptor]

I think they could go a step further with I-14 by extending it west to Louisiana to reach I-49 at Alexandria.

Augusta to Natchez is mandate in the statute.  However, here is a link to an earlier thread about a plan to incorporate "I-14" into a proposed Gulf Coast Strategic Highway System that would include both Louisiana and Texas:

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3429.0

OMG. That's my PKGCES (Post-Katrina Gulf Coast Evacuation System) from 5 1/2 years ago!

When I first brought that up, everyone (Froggie included) went totally apeshit.

[Alps]

I think they could go a step further with I-14 by extending it west to Louisiana to reach I-49 at Alexandria.

Augusta to Natchez is mandate in the statute.  However, here is a link to an earlier thread about a plan to incorporate "I-14" into a proposed Gulf Coast Strategic Highway System that would include both Louisiana and Texas:

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3429.0

OMG. That's my PKGCES (Post-Katrina Gulf Coast Evacuation System) from 5 1/2 years ago!

When I first brought that up, everyone (Froggie included) went totally apeshit.

You're that old?

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

I think they could go a step further with I-14 by extending it west to Louisiana to reach I-49 at Alexandria.

Augusta to Natchez is mandate in the statute.  However, here is a link to an earlier thread about a plan to incorporate "I-14" into a proposed Gulf Coast Strategic Highway System that would include both Louisiana and Texas:

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3429.0

OMG. That's my PKGCES (Post-Katrina Gulf Coast Evacuation System) from 5 1/2 years ago!

When I first brought that up, everyone (Froggie included) went totally apeshit.

You're that old?

It was close to 10 years ago that Bobby here was emailing Bessert 10 times a day.

[kaothinterceptor]

I think they could go a step further with I-14 by extending it west to Louisiana to reach I-49 at Alexandria.

Augusta to Natchez is mandate in the statute.  However, here is a link to an earlier thread about a plan to incorporate "I-14" into a proposed Gulf Coast Strategic Highway System that would include both Louisiana and Texas:

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3429.0

OMG. That's my PKGCES (Post-Katrina Gulf Coast Evacuation System) from 5 1/2 years ago!

When I first brought that up, everyone (Froggie included) went totally apeshit.

You're that old?

Doesn't seem like it, but I've been a roadgeek since 2003.

[Alps]

Oh, it's Bobby Peacock. No wonder. Now so much more makes sense

[golden eagle]

I think they could go a step further with I-14 by extending it west to Louisiana to reach I-49 at Alexandria.

I definitely agree. It doesn't make sense to stop it in Natchez (where there is no interstate or other limited-access freeway), when it can go another 70 or so miles and terminate at I-49 near Alexandria.

[golden eagle]

Looking at this map, I wonder (if this route is ever built) would it be quicker to take this highway to Biloxi from Atlanta, or would I-85>I-65>I-10 still be the way to go?

Your best bet is still 85 to 65 to 10.

[cjk374]

Elton Pody...that's a name I haven't heard in years.  He was mayor of Ruston, LA when I was a teenager.  I wondered what had happened to him since he left this area.

[Grzrd]

Elton Pody...that's a name I haven't heard in years.  He was mayor of Ruston, LA when I was a teenager.  I wondered what had happened to him since he left this area.

Here's a link to a page on the GCSHS website that has two photos of Pody at a Dec. 2009 LA 28 groundbreaking with Bobby Jindal and others:
http://www.gulfcoaststrategichighway.org/news%20pages/LA28%20groundbreaking.html

[Henry]

I think they could go a step further with I-14 by extending it west to Louisiana to reach I-49 at Alexandria.

Augusta to Natchez is mandate in the statute.  However, here is a link to an earlier thread about a plan to incorporate "I-14" into a proposed Gulf Coast Strategic Highway System that would include both Louisiana and Texas:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3429.0

One of the leading advocates for the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway System ("GCSHS"), Elton Pody, recently passed away, and an editorial reflecting upon his career indicates that the GCSHS is still on the political radar screen:

http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20110329/OPINION/103290338

"...When his colleagues carry the message to Baton Rouge, they will "hear" the sound of Pody's voice as they talk about significant opportunities.
Among them is the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway, or Interstate 14, the designation for a proposed freeway corridor between Natchez, Miss., and Augusta, Ga. That corridor may be extended west to Austin, Texas, and east to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Important to Pody and Central Louisiana is that I-14 would travel west from Natchez and through Alexandria on its way to Austin.
Congress is discussing that project as part of a transportation bill, and Pody could talk about it in detail from the perspective of any point on the compass..."

I'm all for it! Anywhere but Natchez would be a great terminus. Either Alexandria or Austin would do just fine.

[Grzrd]

The Expert Working Group ("EWG") has posted cost estimates for five alternative routes, ranging from $620 million for maximum use of existing roadways to $6 billion for the All Interstate alternative from Augusta GA to Natchez MS:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/section_1927/14th_amendment_highway/expert_working_group/meeting_minutes3.cfm

Here are the five alternatives (as best as I can narrow them down; apparently, a map was provided at the meeting which more precisely describes the routes - I cannot locate map on website):

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/section_1927/14th_amendment_highway/expert_working_group/meeting_minutes2.cfm

-Alternative 1: Full Interstate ($6 billion)
◦Upgrade US 84 from Natchez to I-55 in Brookhaven to interstate standards
◦Utilize existing I-55 from Brookhaven to I-20
◦Utilize existing I-20 from I-55 to I-85 Extension
◦Utilize planned I-85 Extension to Montgomery Outer Loop at I-65
◦Utilize planned Montgomery Outer Loop at I-65 to I-85
◦Utilize existing I-85 to US 280/431 near Opelika (exit 62)
◦Upgrade existing four lane divided section of US 280/431 to US 80 (JR Allen Pkwy) to interstate standards
◦Upgrade existing four lane section of US 80 to SR 27 (Veterans Pkwy) to interstate standards

then

New Terrain Interstate
[◦New Interstate construction from US 80/JR Allen Pkwy to Sardis Church Road near Macon]

or

Fall Line Freeway Upgrade to Interstate
[◦US 80 (JR Allen Pkwy) from SR 27 interchange to SR 96 near Geneva, GA to SR 49 C (Fort Valley Bypass) to SR 49 (Peach Pkwy)
◦Requires upgrade of existing roadways to Interstate standard
◦SR 49 to I-75 near Byron (exit 149)
◦Requires upgrade of existing SR 49 to Interstate standard
◦I-75 to Sardis Church Road]

then

◦Utilize existing I-75 NB to I-16
◦Utilize existing I-16 SB to US 23/129 (Exit 6)
◦Upgrade US 23/129 to US 80 (Jeffersonville Road) to interstate standards
◦Upgrade US 80 to SR 57 (Irwington Road) to interstate standards
◦New Interstate construction from SR 57 to I-20 near US 221
◦I-20 from new interchange to I-520

-Alternative 2: Maximum Use of Existing Highways (Brookhaven) ($620 million)
◦Utilize existing four lane rural section of US 84 from Natchez to I-55 in Brookhaven
◦Utilize existing I-55 from Brookhaven to I-20
◦Utilize existing I-20 from I-55 to I-85 Extension
◦Utilize planned I-85 Extension to Montgomery Outer Loop at I-65
◦Utilize planned Montgomery Outer Loop at I-65 to I-85

then

Opelika option - [◦Utilize existing I-85 to US 280/431 near Opelika (exit 62)
◦US 280/431 to US 80 (JR Allen Pkwy)
■Utilize existing four lane divided section, or
■Upgrade this section to the Expressway standard with a full grade separated interchange at US 80.
◦Utilize existing four lane section of US 80 to SR 27 (Veterans Pkwy)]

or  

Tuskegee option - [◦Utilize planned Montgomery Outer Loop at I-65 to I-85
◦Utilize existing I-85 to US 80/SR 186 near Tuskegee
◦Upgrade existing two lane section of US 80/SR 186 to US 80/JR Allen Pkwy to a four lane divided section.
◦Requires the existing two lane section of US 80 be upgraded to a four lane divided section
◦Utilize existing four lane section of US 80/JR Allen Pkwy to US 27 (Veterans Hwy)]

then

US 80 (JR Allen Pkwy) from SR 27 interchange to SR 96 near Geneva, GA to SR 49 C (Fort Valley Bypass) to SR 49 (Peach Pkwy)
◦SR 49 to I-75 near Byron (exit 149)
◦Requires upgrade of existing four lane undivided section of SR 49 near Byron to four lane divided section
◦I-75 to Sardis Church Road

then

Existing Roads
◦Utilize existing I-75 NB to I-16
◦Utilize existing I-16 SB to US 23/129 (Exit 2)
◦Upgrade US 23/129 to US 80 (Jeffersonville Road) to Expressway standard
◦Upgrade US 80 to SR 57 (Irwington Road) to Expressway standard


or

Local Extensions
◦Sardis Church Road extension from Avondale Mill Road to SR 247 (programmed) and from SR 247 to Sgoda Road at I-16 (endorsed by the Middle Georgia Regional Council)
◦Sgoda Road extension from I-16 east to US 80 at Riggins Mill Road (endorsed by the Middle Georgia Regional Council)

then

◦Utilize existing SR 57 to Wilkinson County line
◦New location, four lane divided roadway from SR 57 at Wilkinson County line to SR 243 near Ivey (Gordon Bypass - programmed)
◦Upgrade existing two lane section of SR 243 from Gordon Bypass to Baldwin County line to a four lane divided section
◦New location, four lane divided roadway from SR 243 at Baldwin County line to SR 24 (Milledgeville Bypass - programmed)
◦Upgrade existing two lane section of SR 24 from proposed Milledgeville Bypass to SR 68 west of Sandersville to a four lane divided section.
◦Utilize existing SR 24 from SR 68 to Sandersville Bypass to SR 88
◦Utilize existing SR 88 to US1/221
◦US 1 from SR 88 through Wrens to just north of US 221/SR 47
■Upgrade of existing two lane section of US 1 to a four lane divided section, or
■Construct a four lane divided bypass around Wrens
◦Utilize existing US 1 from north of Wrens to I-520


-Alternative 3: Maximum Use of Existing Highways (Laurel) ($1.2 billion)
◦US 84 from Natchez to I-59 in Laurel
◦Utilize existing four lane rural section of US 84 and would require upgrade to urban four lane section in Laurel or construct bypass around Laurel to I-59
◦Upgrade US 84 from Natchez to I-59 to Expressway standard
◦I-59 from Laurel to I-20
◦I-20 from I-59 to I-85 Extension
◦I-85 Extension to Montgomery Outer Loop at I-65
◦Utilize planned Montgomery Outer Loop at I-65 to I-85
(from this point, same as Alternative 2 to Augusta)

-Alternative 4: Maximum Use of Existing Highways (Grove Hill and Evergreen) ($2.9 billion)
◦US 84 from Natchez to Alabama state line
◦Utilize existing four lane rural section of US 84 and would require upgrade to urban section of US 84 in Laurel
◦US 84 from MS/AL state line to Grove Hill
◦Requires upgrade of existing two lane section of US 84 to minimum rural highway design standard
◦US 84 from Grove Hill to I-65 near Evergreen
◦Requires upgrade of existing two lane to minimum rural highway design standard
◦I-65 to Montgomery Outer Loop
(From this point, same as Alternative 2 to Augusta)

-Alternative 5: Maximum Use of Existing Highways (Grove Hill and Greenville) ($3.2 billion)
◦US 84 from Natchez to Alabama state line
◦Utilize existing four lane rural section of US 84 and would require upgrade to urban section of US 84 in Laurel
◦US 84 from MS/AL state line to Grove Hill
◦Requires upgrade of existing two lane section of US 84 to minimum rural highway design standard
◦US 84 from Grove Hill to I-65 near Greenville
◦Requires new location roadway from US 84 at Grove Hill to Greenville and new interchange with I-65 near Greenville
◦I-65 to Montgomery Outer Loop
(from this point, same as Alternative 2 to Augusta)

If anyone is interested, there will be a webinar on June 2:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/section_1927/14th_amendment_highway/public_involvement/index.cfm#webinar

[Grzrd]

The Expert Working Group ("EWG") has posted cost estimates for five alternative routes, ranging from $620 million for maximum use of existing roadways to $6 billion for the All Interstate alternative from Augusta GA to Natchez

Apparently, according to this article, the Macon Telegraph has received some updated information pursuant to a FOIA request:

A federal report details plans for a possible new interstate highway that would move traffic from Augusta through central Georgia and Alabama to Natchez, Miss.
The report on the proposed 14th Amendment Highway was obtained by The Telegraph newspaper of Macon under the Freedom of Information Act (http://bit.ly/AsVTbD).
In Georgia, one proposal calls for the interstate cutting through an area just south of Macon.
No funding for the federal route has been identified. The Federal Highway Administration launched the study to meet a congressional mandate.
The report says the new interstate would be more than 600 miles, linking Augusta and Natchez with three other metro areas: Montgomery in Alabama, and Columbus and Macon in Georgia.
"Although several major Interstate highways pass through the corridor, they are all generally oriented in a north-south direction," the report states. "There is no single designated east-west Interstate or other major highway that directly connects all five cities."
The 14th Amendment Highway study examined five options for a new route from Augusta to Natchez. The options ranged from about $296 million to $7.7 billion.
Experts say that even if the new highway is never built, its ideas will likely affect other transportation plans.

Here's the Macon Telegraph article itself discussing the possible routes in the Macon area:

Yet the federal route also covers an area under study by state officials in the ongoing Connect Central Georgia study, which would better tie Columbus, Macon and Augusta through roadways. It also puts the federal government on record in support of Macon Mayor Robert Reichert's idea of a connector road across the Ocmulgee River south of Macon, from Avondale Mill Road to Twiggs County's Sgoda Road ....
Several of those options would follow Reichert's proposal for a Sgoda Road connector over the Ocmulgee River. The Federal Highway Administration said that project, with upgrades to Ga. 49 and Avondale Mill Road, would cost $456.9 million. State officials previously estimated the connector road alone at $178 million. No funding has been identified for any of that work, though a proposed regional transportation sales tax would put money toward studying the connector ....
the proposed routes include running a full interstate, with a 300-foot right of way, from Byron's exit on Interstate 75 west through the city's historic district. That interstate would then continue west toward Columbus, paralleling Ga. 96 to the south.
Don Tussing, a transportation planner with the Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission, said it's highly unlikely that an interstate would ever be built through Byron in that manner.
"You probably couldn't go through the center of Byron, especially if you had to do federal interstate design standards,"  Tussing said.
Any interstate, if it were ever built, probably would be rerouted around Byron, Tussing said. But he also doubted whether the Federal Highway Administration would ever push an interstate it was ordered by Congress to study. With no money and little enthusiasm, the 14th Amendment Highway proposals are more likely to be incorporated into, or to influence, the state's Connect Central Georgia plans ...

[Grzrd]

A federal report details plans for a possible new interstate highway that would move traffic from Augusta through central Georgia and Alabama to Natchez, Miss.
The report on the proposed 14th Amendment Highway was obtained by The Telegraph newspaper of Macon under the Freedom of Information Act (http://bit.ly/AsVTbD).

Here is the EWG's Report to Congress. The Executive Summary has a good map of the alternatives.