By Emily Jenkins

Staff Writer and Chief Copy Editor

Beltonians expressed their concerns when the Texas Department of Transportation hosted their second set of in-person public meetings for Segment 1 of the Interstate 14 Extension Project on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026 at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic & Convention Center in Temple and Jan. 14, 2026 at the Cadence Bank Center in Belton.

I-14 Extension Project Widens I-35

The I-14 Extension is a major project that will extend I-14 starting with I-35 in Belton, Texas, to Business U.S. Highway 190 in Rogers, Texas. The project is divided into three segments. TxDOT expects to begin construction on Segment 1 in 2030. The other segments will begin afterwards. Segment 1 starts on I-35 from south of Loop 121 in Belton to State Highway 36 in Temple. Segment 2 starts at I-35 on State Highway 36 in Temple to State Highway 95 on State Highway 36. Segment 3 begins on State Highway 36 to Business U.S. Highway 190 in Rogers, Texas.

TxDOT will widen I-35 from the current three general purpose lanes going in both directions of traffic to four general purpose lanes in both directions of traffic, with an additional three express lanes each way. The current two-lane frontage road on either side of I-35 in both directions of traffic will be moved to allow room for the additional lanes. Furthermore, two shared-use paths will be added framing the outer sides of the frontage roads. 

TxDOT plans to improve safety through the I-45 Extension by widening I-35. This response is due to the crash rates in the Segment 1 corridor which exceeds the state average. In the first public meeting for Segment 1, TxDOT reported, “Over the last 10 years, there were 9,253 crashes on I-35 in Bell County. 3,036 of those crashes, or approximately 33%, occurred in a work zone.” 

The I-35 widening is supposed to improve that report. The I-14 extensions and I-35 widening improvements are to “create better mobility, connectivity and safety between urban and rural areas, military installations, maritime ports and economic sectors, including freight, energy, timber and agriculture,” said TxDOT. 

Nevertheless, Belton officials and residents are concerned that the I-35 widening will create problems. 

I-14 Extension Project Produces Concerns in Beltonians

TxDOT said that common themes of concerned responses of the last public meeting for Segment 1 in May 2024 were traffic congestion, overall safety, local access, local roadway conditions and potential impacts of the project to properties and neighborhoods. They asked for written feedback and questions about their concerns again at the second public meeting.

Just before the second public meeting on Jan.13, Belton Mayor David K. Leigh expressed concern over the I-35 extension plans, “These long-term decisions will shape how people live, work, and travel in Belton for decades.” Leigh said, “We want solutions that improve safety and capacity without sacrificing access and connectivity.”

City officials are most concerned for the loss of Downtown access, neighborhood barriers, emergency response impacts and local mobility disruption, according to the City of Belton online media center. Specifically, city officials are concerned that emergency responses will be delayed because of the indirect routes produced by the extension. 

In summary, city officials are concerned about the decreased connectivity of Belton.

The Belton Area Chamber of Commerce commented Jan. 14 on their Facebook page that the City of Belton proposed four braided ramp designs that meet interstate standards and preserve key access points. This design is used in other parts of Texas as well. The Belton Area Chamber of Commerce is asking this alternative to be considered. 

After the public meeting Jan. 15 , Discover Downtown Belton echoed the Chamber of Commerce’s concerns and plea for consideration. They also posted their dissatisfaction with the second public meeting saying, “This was not a true public discussion. It was a display style setup showing what TxDOT plans to do, with maps and posters on easels and tables around the room.” Discover Downtown Belton said there was no formal presentation or time for questions and dialogue, but instead those attending were told to leave written comments. “It felt more like “this is what we are doing” rather than a meaningful opportunity for two way conversation.”

Those who did not attend the meeting were also encouraged to write feedback and ask questions through email or mail before Thursday, Jan. 29. 

TxDOT Announces What Comes Next

TxDOT shared their preliminary Segment 1 schedule. So far, TxDOT has finished with the conceptual design, the first Segment 1 public meeting in May 2024, the Segment 1 property owner meeting last fall 2025 and recently the second Segment 1 public meeting. TxDot’s next step is to finish finalizing the schematic at the end of 2027. They expect Right-of-way (ROW) acquisitions to begin in the summer of 2028 after environmental clearance and construction to begin in 2030. However, TxDOT said, “It is important to know that these dates are subject to change.”