INTERSTATE 14 (I-14)
TXDOT PERSPECTIVE
Bobby Littlefield, P.E.
Waco District Engineer
Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization
March 16, 2016
FAST Act – Central Texas Corridor and I-14
 Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST)
Act 2015 identified the Central
Texas Corridor as a Congressional High Priority
Corridor.
– “… commencing at the logical terminus
of Interstate Route 10, generally following
portions of United States Route 190
eastward, passing in the vicinity Fort Hood,
Killeen, Belton, Temple, Bryan, College
Station, Huntsville, Livingston, and
Woodville, to the logical terminus of Texas
Highway 63 at the Sabine River Bridge at
Burrs Crossing.”
 Also designated it as I-14.
Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization
2
Past study results
 TxDOT completed a planning-level
feasibility study for the US 190 and I-10
corridors from El Paso to the Louisiana
State Line in May 2012.
 The study evaluated the potential strategic,
economic, emergency, and environmental
benefits of various improvements that
could be considered to address existing
and future needs.
 Several improvements for the corridor
were identified. Very little identified as
an interstate type facility.
Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization
3
Current system status
 The Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT) completed
an initial assessment of a 25-mile
section of US 190 from Copperas
Cove to I-35 in Belton.
 Interstate Highway System design
standards are generally met in this
25-mile section of US 190.
 Two design issues were identified
that are being coordinated.
 No other segments within the
Central Texas Corridor currently
meet interstate standards.
Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization
4
Current system status
Atmos Energy driveway on
Fort Hood property
Physical removal of pavement anticipated by
the end of the month.
Vertical Grade
5.7% grade – EB lanes approx.
1.4 miles west of SH 201
Urban Interstate Standard is 5.0%
Design exception anticipated
Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization
5
Next steps for Interstate designation of first section
 Finalize the technical assessment report for the 25-mile section of US 190
from I-35 to Fort Hood (underway).
 Technical assessment report is expected to be submitted to Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) for review before the end of March.
 Receive Texas Transportation Commission approval for designation and
application submitted to American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO) (March 2016).
 Begin process of requesting FHWA (Washington Office) and AASHTO approvals
of designation (Possibly May 2016).
 Signing of I-14 (anticipated late 2016/early 2017).
Note: The process for obtaining designation approval can take several months.
Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization
6
Additional plans for first section
 Continue expansion to 6 lanes
 Continue operational upgrades such as frontage road u-turns and frontage
road connections
 Expand Copperas Cove bypass to 4 lanes
 Eastern extension from Belton to Heidenheimer/Rogers
Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization
7
Interstate Development Considerations
 Roadway or route segments must meet interstate
standards to be signed as I-14.
 Planning and environmental studies will be necessary
to identify the specific route and the improvements
needed to meet interstate standards.
 Overweight vehicles that are currently permitted on
non-interstate roadways will not be able to use that
roadway once it is designated as interstate.
 No dedicated funding source for I-14. Individual
construction projects will compete for funding with
other projects across the state.
Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization
8
Planning for the future
TxDOT recognizes the need to continue planning efforts along the I-14 corridor,
which would include:
 Working with state and local stakeholders to understand needs, priorities,
and available resources.
 Supporting a needs-based development of future transportation improvements
that considers future opportunities for interstate development.
 Understanding that this is a long-term proposition and many areas may require
a series of improvements over time to ultimately achieve interstate standards.
 Continuing to track activities and progress along the corridor.
The FAST Act did not allocate funding to projects.
Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization
9
Questions?
Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization
10