Proposed 'I-14 Corridor' would link El Paso to the Atlantic
Hutchison, Cornyn introduce federal corridor
7/18/07
By SHARON KERR
The Jasper Newsboy
Copyright 2007
Jasper County Commissioners Court will consider a resolution tomorrow supporting the U.S. Highway 96 Coalition to complete a four lane highway project from Beaumont to Tenaha, according to County Judge Mark Allen.
The current hurricane evacuation route planned by TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) calls for a fourlane divided highway to Jasper just north of Recreational Road 255.
TxDOT reports that some portions of this project south of Jasper are almost 90 percent complete. The widening, left turn lanes, bridges and upgrading should be complete in 2008.
Allen says, "The push will begin to start building northward to improve evacuation times and spur additional economic growth within the East Texas region."
The coalition's goal is to convince TxDOT to extend the four-lane to Tenaha to link with U.S. Highway 59.
Allen said such a move would benefit Sabine and San Augustine counties as well, and be a boon to travelers and future development in the area.
The second annual Texas Transportation Forum will meet in Austin July 18-20 to discuss other improvements to Texas' roads.
The Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition will present recommendation for an east/west route from El Paso to Leesville, La. The Texas Transportation Commissions has already approved a $2 million feasibility study that includes a 600-foot ROW (right of way) for both an interstate grade highway and possible rail component.
The state of Louisiana is taking similar measures along LA- 28 to create a four lane divided highway that will cross central Louisiana from border to border.
The coalition comittee reports, "We have made contact with representatives of the coalition in the states of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi that are proposing the east/west Interstate 14 that would link to our proposed east/west leg."
Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn have introduced legislation to make a route from El Paso to the Atlantic a priority federal corridor.
The proposed I-14 would serve Ft. Gordon, Ft. Benning, Ft. Polk, Ft. Hood and Ft. Bliss. It would also give some relief to cities like Beaumont and Houston because long-distance freight could be diverted from I-10 to the more direct I-14.
More important to Jasper County, it would provide a direct route to Austin, according to Allen, who said, "We need a direct route to our state capitol."
© 2007 The Jasper Newsboy: www.jaspernewsboy.com
For more information on the proposed Interstate 14 Corridor click HERE.
For more information on the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition ('Forts to Ports') click HERE.
To search TTC News Archives clickHERE
To view the Trans-Texas Corridor Blog clickHERE
7/18/07
By SHARON KERR
The Jasper Newsboy
Copyright 2007
Jasper County Commissioners Court will consider a resolution tomorrow supporting the U.S. Highway 96 Coalition to complete a four lane highway project from Beaumont to Tenaha, according to County Judge Mark Allen.
The current hurricane evacuation route planned by TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) calls for a fourlane divided highway to Jasper just north of Recreational Road 255.
TxDOT reports that some portions of this project south of Jasper are almost 90 percent complete. The widening, left turn lanes, bridges and upgrading should be complete in 2008.
Allen says, "The push will begin to start building northward to improve evacuation times and spur additional economic growth within the East Texas region."
The coalition's goal is to convince TxDOT to extend the four-lane to Tenaha to link with U.S. Highway 59.
Allen said such a move would benefit Sabine and San Augustine counties as well, and be a boon to travelers and future development in the area.
The second annual Texas Transportation Forum will meet in Austin July 18-20 to discuss other improvements to Texas' roads.
The
The state of Louisiana is taking similar measures along LA- 28 to create a four lane divided highway that will cross central Louisiana from border to border.
The coalition comittee reports, "We have made contact with representatives of the coalition in the states of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi that are proposing the east/west Interstate 14 that would link to our proposed east/west leg."
Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn have introduced legislation to make a route from El Paso to the Atlantic a priority federal corridor.
The
More important to Jasper County, it would provide a direct route to Austin, according to Allen, who said, "We need a direct route to our state capitol."
© 2007 The Jasper Newsboy:
For more information on the proposed Interstate 14 Corridor click
For more information on the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition ('Forts to Ports') click
To search TTC News Archives click
To view the Trans-Texas Corridor Blog click
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Wednesday, July 18, 2007
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