State Senate panel approves plan for interstate in Middle Georgia

A push for another interstate highway across Georgia has gained initial support in the General Assembly.

The state Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday passed Senate Resolution 44, which backs creating of I-14 across Middle Georgia and urges the state’s congressional delegation to do likewise.

I-14 would begin in West Texas and end in Augusta. In Georgia, it could result in the Fall Line Freeway (which follows various state and federal highways) becoming an interstate. Some parts of the Georgia route are already built to interstate standards, but the rest would need upgrades.

At a recent hearing, backers — including the Youth Infrastructure Coalition — said the highway would open Middle Georgia to economic development, linking Augusta to Columbus and four other Southeastern states, including Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. They said it would curb truck congestion on existing highways and ease access to the state’s military bases.

So far, only 25 miles of the highway — all in Texas — have been completed. To finish it, Congress would need to designate the route an interstate — and likely provide billions of dollars to help do the work.

Members of the Senate Transportation Committee endorse the project — to a point. They approved SR 44, but only after receiving assurances that I-14 wouldn’t leapfrog other state highway projects in line for federal funding.

SR 44 now awaits a vote by the full Senate.