HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-23-26-7.12 - Resolution - 04/23/2026RESOLUTION NO. 04-23-26-7.12
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION,
TEXAS, SUPPORTING THE PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE THE FUTURE
INTERSTATE HIGHWAY FORMULA PROGRAM IN THE NEXT FEDERAL
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZATION BILL ENSURING A STRONG
FEDERAL ROLE IN SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AS PREVIOUS INTERSTATE
HIGHWAYS WERE DEVELOPED AS A NATIONAL INTEREST SO SHOULD
FUTURE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS.
WHEREAS, the United States economy must have the world's pre-eminent surface
transportation system; and
WHEREAS, the Future Interstate Highway Formula Funding Program will establish a
predictable and stable level of federal funding to support development of congressionally
authorized Future Interstates, including I-14, "America's Forts -to -Ports Strategic Corridor" or
"Gulf Coast Strategic Highway", stretching 1,300 miles from western Texas to eastern Georgia,
and will address the need to focus federal transportation funding on projects that provide
national benefit; and
WHEREAS, the first section of the I-14 Corridor in Texas was approved by Congress
in 2015 under the FAST Act and the 25 miles of freeway from Killeen/Fort Hood to I-35 in
Central Texas became I-14 in 2017; this was followed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act which led to congressional designation of the entire I-14 Corridor across Texas, Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Alabama and Georgia on November 15, 2021 with the 2021 bipartisan
infrastructure bill. That 2021 law expanded the Texas designation to include San Angelo and
Midland -Odessa and included four north -south future interstate spurs that will connect I-14 to
Interstate 10 and serve the Port of Corpus Christi, the Port of Houston and the ports at Beaumont
and Port Arthur and it added a fifth north -south spur connecting to the Port of Gulfport in
Mississippi and included a future interstate loop at Bryan -College Station designated Interstate
214; and
WHEREAS, the Formula Funding Program will provide needed investment in the next
generation of the Interstate Highway System to keep pace with growing population national
connectivity, and efficient freight movement demands; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Interstate Highway System is to provide a safe,
efficient, and high -capacity roadway network for the movement of people and goods; and
WHEREAS, highways meeting interstate standards substantially enhance safety for the
traveling public while also addressing emergency evacuation needs; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of Future Interstate Highways is to expand and enhance the
national transportation network by identifying and developing key corridors that will eventually
meet full Interstate Highway standards, with the goal of supporting 1) National Connectivity;
2) Freight and Economic Development; (3) Cross -Border Trade and International Commerce;
4) National Defense; 5) Emergency Evacuation; and 6) Transportation Modernization; and
Resolution No. 04-23-26-7.12
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WHEREAS, there is currently no dedicated federal funding to plan and construct
Future Interstate Highways; and
WHEREAS, Interstate 10 can be disrupted by tropical storms and hurricanes and an
additional hurricane evacuation route is needed to provide alternatives during those disruptions;
and
WHEREAS, despite the authorization of a 40,000-mile Interstate Highway System by
Congress in 1944 and the initial designation of 37,700 miles in 1947, the total constructed
mileage has significantly fallen short of long-term national mobility demands and by 1960, over
10,000 miles were completed, followed by rapid expansion to 20,000 miles by the mid-1960s,
30,000 miles by 1970, and 40,000 miles by 1980, with 92% of the system completed by 1986.
Incremental additions brought the system to approximately 42,700 miles in the 1990s, 46,747
miles by the early 2000s, and over 48,000 miles in the 2020s; and
WHEREAS, the modest mileage growth of interstate highways over the past four
decades reflects the need for renewed federal commitment to expanding and modernizing the
Interstate System to meet 21 st-century transportation, economic, and security challenges; and
WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the City of College Station desires to affirm its
support of the continued development of the Interstate Highway System, including I-14 and I-
214 loop around Bryan -College Station, and encourages the inclusion of Future Interstate
Highway Funding in the next federal surface transportation authorization bill.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS:
PART 1: That the City Council hereby supports the recitals and findings set forth in the
preamble above.
PART 2: That the City Council hereby supports the proposal to include the Future
Interstate Highway Formula Program in the next federal surface transportation
authorization bill whereby federal taxpayers' funds are used for the national
interest, ensuring a strong Federal role in surface transportation. Interstate
Highways were developed as a national interest and Future Interstate Highways
should be treated the same.
PART 3: That this Resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage.
ADOPTED this 23rd day of April 2026.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Secretary MA?OR
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APPROVED:
aA,V'bV�, (,bl�bV'ta
City Attorney