On the recordNovember 3, 2015
Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of Mr. Babin's amendment to designate 30 miles of existing freeway from Copperas Cove, Texas, to I-35 in Belton as U.S. Interstate 14. As the Texas Department of Transportation has previously acknowledged, the route is important for east-west connectivity and provides an important link to military facilities, metropolitan areas, and Texas' existing and future interstate systems. This highway will connect two of the Nation's largest military bases: Fort Bliss and Fort Hood. U.S. 190, the freeway from the front gate of Fort Hood to I-35 is already at interstate standards. Mr. Chairman, we are seeking Federal statutory designation as a high- priority corridor and future interstate highway in order to save travel time, make this route the heart of a connector for freight, and link Army installations and strategic ports. In God we trust.
