Ready or not, here it is: San Angelo’s first interstate highway

WASHINGTON, DC – After six years of I-14 / Gulf Coast Coalition efforts, the Interstate 14 corridor is set to be extended to cross five states.

This includes a critical extension of I-14 westward to San Angelo and Midland-Odessa, as well as the creation of interstate connections to the Port of Corpus Christi, the Port of Houston, the Ports of Beaumont. and Port Arthur and the Port of Gulfport.

“I am thrilled to be part of a visionary effort to improve the transportation and mobility of goods not just for our community, but for all of Texas,” said Tom Green County Judge Steve Floyd. “San Angelo and Tom Green County have a long history of advocating for our area to be part of the Interstate National Highway System. This will enable incremental improvements along the corridor that support economic, military, security and mobility initiatives. Thank you to the contributions of our community and multi-state partners for this historic designation.

Congress has finally approved the bipartisan infrastructure bill, and the extension of the I-14 designation of Congress will become law with President Biden’s upcoming signature.

“Transportation options for economic development are essential,” said Mayor Brenda Gunter. “Without interstate options, we lose our ability to bring food, fuel and fiber to market in a timely, economical and safe manner. This transportation option helps ensure our national security, which is vital in the world we live in today. “

Thank you to every member of the Coalition and every Friend of I-14 for your help in making this moment. And a special thank you to Senators Cruz and Warnock, and their staff, for incorporating our I-14 amendment into the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

“It has been a privilege to serve alongside Judge Floyd in the I-14 Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition as the City of San Angelo Representative and as the Central West Texas Regional Representative on Advocates. Texas transportation, ”said Guy Andrews, City of San Angelo’s director of economic development. “The city and county have worked tirelessly for years to advance recognition of the I-14 corridor and move it forward through legislative processes. I-14 is expected to cross I-27 in San Angelo, which is a real game-changer for our ability to attract businesses and industries to San Angelo, Tom Green County and the Concho Valley.

The new law specifies that I-14 will generally follow SH 158, US 87, US 190, and SH 63 through Texas; LA 8, LA 28 and US 84 through Louisiana; United States 84 in Mississippi; US 80 across Alabama; and US 80, SR 49, SR 24 and US 1 across Georgia. Interstate spurs will generally follow US 83, US 69 and US 96 to Texas, and I-59 and US 49 to Mississippi.

The next steps for Coalition members and friends of I-14 will be to work with each of the state’s five transportation departments on final route selection, environmental clearance, project selection priorities and funding.