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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.
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