Could A New Interstate North of Houston Help Alleviate The City’s Traffic Issues?

Houston Public Media ^ | October 1, 2018 | Gail Delaughter

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

In central Texas, a portion of U.S. 190 near Killeen has been designated as Interstate 14. But the Youth Infrastructure Coalition would like to see a complete I-14 corridor from eastern Georgia to west Texas. Under their proposal, I-14 would create an alternate east-west highway that would be located midway between I-10 and I-20.

The coalition’s founder is Frank Lumpkin, a student at the University of Georgia. He said he and other students started the group to inspire young people to get involved in infrastructure projects that can benefit the area.

“If you look at a map and take the demographics of those regions, you’ll find the median household income average is about 22 percent below the average for the entire United States,” said Lumpkin. “So, there’s definitely disparity and facts show it.”

Lumpkin said one of the benefits of I-14 is that it could bring in new manufacturing jobs, considering companies need to locate along an interstate stretch so they can get raw materials and transport their products.

“Many of these regions in the south are simply just missing out completely on those opportunities,” added Lumpkin.

Under the coalition’s proposal, I-14 could be created by bringing existing roadways up to interstate standards. That would require adding lanes and grade-separated interchanges, but Lumpkin said that would be a lot cheaper than building an entirely new highway.

So, what would this project mean for Houston? The coalition’s maps show I-14 passing through Huntsville on an existing section of U.S. 190. That’s about 70 miles to the north.

Lumpkin said that, for one, it would offer another hurricane evacuation route. It could also take a lot of cross-country traffic off I-10 in Houston.

“Those heavy-load 18-wheelers, they can go on the less developed I-14, rather than having to pass on I-10 through these larger cities,” said Lumpkin.

As for what’s happening with the effort right now, a number of communities in the region have passed resolutions in support of I-14.

“What we’re trying to focus on right now, rather than money, is getting the highway designated so we can move forward and begin appropriating funds,” Lumpkin explained.

The coalition says it would like to see money for the I-14 project in an upcoming federal appropriations bill.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

PING.

[Reno89519]

Deport illegal aliens, bet that would help more.

[Hazwaste]

That would help keep some of the flow-through east-west traffic away from I-10 and the north side of downtown, but what I’d really like to see is for the Grand Parkway loop to be completed. Just getting past the city from where I am (near Rosenberg) is a PITA.

[PAR35]

It would add slightly to the costs, but they should bypass Huntsville and the other cities along the route. Much like the original autobahns did.

While they are planning roads, a northwest to southeast route is needed - perhaps Port of Jacksonville to Mt. Vernon, Ill, bypassing all of the major cities - go between Atlanta and Birmingham, and Memphis and Nashville, etc.

[rktman]

Divert the concrete to the border.

[Sequoyah101]

Nothing can alleviate Houston’s traffic issues. It is an unplanned, unrestrained, unregulated mess. A hodge podge without any real nucleus, land locked by uninhabitable swamp,, the bay and the gulf. The only way to go is North or West.

Happy to be out of that mess.

[Theoria]

' Georgia to west Texas. Under their proposal, I-14 would create an alternate east-west highway that would be located midway between I-10 and I-20.'

That would help to finish off the South. That would certainly help to bring in more people down here. It wouldn't take long to turn the entire place blue.

[MeganC]

What they really need is a high speed rail line or a light rail system that’s completely useless for dealing with traffic congestion.

[KrisKrinkle]

What is the military utility of this proposed Interstate highway? I didn’t see that in the article.

[Red Badger]

If another interstate solved traffic problems, California would be a driver’s paradise...................

[stanne]

Sorry. Houston drivers are the worst

[bgill]

Deport all of Houston’s illegals and it’ll be a wasteland with zero traffic problems.

[Responsibility2nd]

In central Texas, a portion of U.S. 190 near Killeen has been designated as Interstate 14.

This is a great interstate. I've been taking it lately from Temple over to Lampasses over to points west.

[Ronald_Magnus]

On the subject of new interstates, I-11 between Vegas an Phoenix is slowly coming together, but a long way to go. The section bypassing Boulder City is done and is great. Now just complete the couple of hundred miles to Phoenix and bypassing Wickenburg and it’s roundabouts....

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Other planners have it down as the Forts-to-Ports highway, in which I-14 and various tributaries would link bases such as Fort Bliss in El Paso and Fort Hood in Killeen to ports such as Corpus Christi.

[Ben Hecks]

What is the military utility of this proposed Interstate highway? I didn’t see that in the article.

I know an Army NCO at Ft. Hood who told me that the proposed route of I-14 would facilitate traffic between several military bases. (possibly Ft. Campbell, Ft. Benning, Ft. Hood, Ft. Bliss?)

[GreenLanternCorps]

Below is one of the tenative proposed maps for Interstate 14.

It should be noted that the basic proposal has been around for a while. However outside of Texas getting some existing Freeway designated by AASHTO and the FHWA. There has been little movement and will be probably be none for decades.

Texas priority is finishing the I-69 corridors by upgrading US 59 to interstate standards moving North and South of Houston and completing the upgrade of US 77 to I-69E to provide and Interstate quality connection from Brownsville to Corpus Christie.

Louisiana is concentrating on completing I-49 both in Shreveport and plugging numerous non-interstate quality gaps in US 90 from New Orleans to Lafayette.

Mississippi just finished I-269 and only has piecemeal projects related to I-69 on the drawing board.

Neither Alabama or Georgia are doing anything at all about I-14.

[waterhill]

Dallas is actually the worst, according to the insurance industry.

[stanne]

I was speaking hyperbolically. Dallas is the worst. Yes. Then Houston. Then San Antonio. The Massachusetts the New Jersey. Just crossing in from the Lincoln it’s noticeable

Italy

But Saudi Arabia. No. Dallas drivers are it maniacal that way. Though close enough

My anecdotal findings is all