I-14 in Texas

[MaxConcrete]

If they are going to use the outer loop for I-14 to bypass B-CS, then what happens to the existing Inner Loop bypass and the existing TX 6 freeway through BC-S? Does that become I-214 and the outer bypass gets another number designation or remains numbered as is? And, can I assume that they will still make TX 6 freeway standard in order to fully connect B-CS into I-14 in both directions?

The B-CS "inner loop" is not currently a freeway and may never be a freeway. As noted in the meeting exhibit, it is the "thoroughfare plan inner loop". The west/south side consists of various roadways of various quality, little or none full freeway. The east/north side does not exist - it's just a line on a planning map.

If Loop I-214 is approved and moves forward, I think it will greatly reduce the likelihood of the inner loop ever being made into a freeway. The north/east side of the inner loop may never be built.

Well, I was wrong about the north/east side of the Bryan-College Station inner loop going on the back burner due to the proposed I-214 Loop.

An in-person public meeting is scheduled for the project. Brazos County also has an information page and a fact sheet.

References to the facility are a "roadway" and there's no indication of the possible ultimate planned size. But my impression is that it will not be a freeway. It would probably start as a two-lane road with sufficient right-of-way to add more lanes in the future. It will tie into William Fitch Parkway, which is an arterial street on a right-of-way usually between 100 and 200 feet.

Since the proposed I-214 loop is in the distant future and is far from a sure thing, it certainly makes sense to plan for this section of the inner loop.

[roadman65]

Between College Station and Huntsville will I-14 follow SH 30 to avoid an overlap with I-45? Or will it follow US 190 to Madisonville and overlap I-45 like the US route currently does?

[MaxConcrete]

Between College Station and Huntsville will I-14 follow SH 30 to avoid an overlap with I-45? Or will it follow US 190 to Madisonville and overlap I-45 like the US route currently does?

There is not a recommended alternative at this time. See the map posted on this thread on June 27, 2024, to see the alternatives in contention, which include the Madisonville option (with I-45 overlap ) and two options going west from Huntsville.

[roadman65]

Here is a screenshot of the map on slide 10 for easier viewing.

I think going direct is the best. Madisonville is too far out.

[roadman65]

From what someone said on here the only real concern is connecting Temple with College Station that Texas has in completing I-14.

I can see the current Super Two of US 190 at Copperas Cove getting widened there to extend the interstate another two three miles. Other than that I-14 will be in our lifetime from Copperas Cove to College Station.

[longhorn]

From what someone said on here the only real concern is connecting Temple with College Station that Texas has in completing I-14.

I can see the current Super Two of US 190 at Copperas Cove getting widened there to extend the interstate another two three miles. Other than that I-14 will be in our lifetime from Copperas Cove to College Station.

Pretty much, and for political reasons Cameron cannot be left out. Once the connection from Temple to BCS is complete, I think the Texas contingent would be satisfied for a while. I-14 will extend about four miles west of Copperas Cove too. TxDot already discussed plans for it. Once done, I-14 will not be a priority in many minds.

Now if TxDot would fast track the Belton to Temple I-35/I-14 reconstruction. The idea of express lanes from Belton to temple is wonky but I think it would morph into the center express lanes being I-14 and the outer regular lanes will be I-35.

[Bobby5280]

Cameron is not an out-of-the-way location for I-14, unlike the towns of Milano, Hearne and Madisonville. A new terrain bypass will be needed to get around Cameron. And that new terrain bypass should remain on new terrain to the College Station area. The stupid W-shaped route shown on so many previous route maps needs to be put to bed.

[Henry]

Between College Station and Huntsville will I-14 follow SH 30 to avoid an overlap with I-45? Or will it follow US 190 to Madisonville and overlap I-45 like the US route currently does?

There is not a recommended alternative at this time. See the map posted on this thread on June 27, 2024, to see the alternatives in contention, which include the Madisonville option (with I-45 overlap ) and two options going west from Huntsville.

Besides, the I-45 overlap is inevitable, no matter which alignment I-14 takes. What I'd like, though, is for the route to be as straight as possible.

[roadman65]

Following TX 31 is more direct than what US 190 runs anyhow.

[sprjus4]

Cameron is not an out-of-the-way location for I-14, unlike the towns of Milano, Hearne and Madisonville. A new terrain bypass will be needed to get around Cameron. And that new terrain bypass should remain on new terrain to the College Station area. The stupid W-shaped route shown on so many previous route maps needs to be put to bed.

Considering it isn't on the proposed alternatives... I think it was put to bed quite a while ago. I'm not sure it was ever an option.

[roadman65]

From what someone said on here the only real concern is connecting Temple with College Station that Texas has in completing I-14.

I can see the current Super Two of US 190 at Copperas Cove getting widened there to extend the interstate another two three miles. Other than that I-14 will be in our lifetime from Copperas Cove to College Station.

Pretty much, and for political reasons Cameron cannot be left out. Once the connection from Temple to BCS is complete, I think the Texas contingent would be satisfied for a while. I-14 will extend about four miles west of Copperas Cove too. TxDot already discussed plans for it. Once done, I-14 will not be a priority in many minds.

Now if TxDot would fast track the Belton to Temple I-35/I-14 reconstruction. The idea of express lanes from Belton to temple is wonky but I think it would morph into the center express lanes being I-14 and the outer regular lanes will be I-35.

So it would extend to Kempner then?

[Bobby5280]

Considering it isn't on the proposed alternatives... I think it was put to bed quite a while ago. I'm not sure it was ever an option.

That "opportunity areas" map shows Milano, Hearne and Madisonville still on the table.

[longhorn]

From what someone said on here the only real concern is connecting Temple with College Station that Texas has in completing I-14.

I can see the current Super Two of US 190 at Copperas Cove getting widened there to extend the interstate another two three miles. Other than that I-14 will be in our lifetime from Copperas Cove to College Station.

Pretty much, and for political reasons Cameron cannot be left out. Once the connection from Temple to BCS is complete, I think the Texas contingent would be satisfied for a while. I-14 will extend about four miles west of Copperas Cove too. TxDot already discussed plans for it. Once done, I-14 will not be a priority in many minds.

Now if TxDot would fast track the Belton to Temple I-35/I-14 reconstruction. The idea of express lanes from Belton to temple is wonky but I think it would morph into the center express lanes being I-14 and the outer regular lanes will be I-35.

So it would extend to Kempner then?

It will start or end a mile or two from Kempner.

[Bobby5280]

Has TX DOT done any studies for I-14 as it would apply to the US-190 corridor immediately West of the FM-2657 intersection? It's no big deal widening US-190 to a proper 4-lane divided Interstate up to that point on the West side of Copperas Cove. Going from that point to Kempner along the existing US-190 alignment will involve buying and removing a dozen or so small businesses and homes built too close to the highway.

I-14 would have to bypass Kempner unless TX DOT could manage to relocate all the businesses along the North side of the highway going thru town. It's not a big loss taking out a Dollar General store. But there is a cluster of other local businesses and even a couple homes between the highway and rail line.

Lampasas will need its own partial loop to accommodate I-14, not to mention an improving US-281 corridor coming up from San Antonio.

[sprjus4]

Considering it isn't on the proposed alternatives... I think it was put to bed quite a while ago. I'm not sure it was ever an option.

That "opportunity areas" map shows Milano, Hearne and Madisonville still on the table.

Yes, because each of those areas has an alternative route passing through them. The "W" route (which is simply the existing route) is not an alternative.

[longhorn]

Has TX DOT done any studies for I-14 as it would apply to the US-190 corridor immediately West of the FM-2657 intersection? It's no big deal widening US-190 to a proper 4-lane divided Interstate up to that point on the West side of Copperas Cove. Going from that point to Kempner along the existing US-190 alignment will involve buying and removing a dozen or so small businesses and homes built too close to the highway.

I-14 would have to bypass Kempner unless TX DOT could manage to relocate all the businesses along the North side of the highway going thru town. It's not a big loss taking out a Dollar General store. But there is a cluster of other local businesses and even a couple homes between the highway and rail line.

Lampasas will need its own partial loop to accommodate I-14, not to mention an improving US-281 corridor coming up from San Antonio.

I have not seen any. IMO, once the expansion around Copperas Cove is done, the Belton/Temple I-14/I-35 rebuild, and I-14 out of Temple connects to College Station, this project will be dormant for decades.

[roadman65]

That's the best way to get an interstate going is to start bypassing the towns with limited access freeways. Once they get that, it will show Austin that the corridor is worthy of an interstate being built and connect the bypasses later.