An East Texas Highway Could Become a New Interstate

(Palestine, Texas) - Interstates provide a way for us to travel quickly to a far away destination. Interstates also provide an easy way for truckers to deliver their goods. What's crazy to think about is that interstates really haven't been around for very long.

If you're feeling really adventurous, traveling along a blacktop or less traveled road could make for a fun road trip. For this write up, though, I'm concentrating on a major East Texas road that could go through a conversation. You may travel that road on a regular basis, too.

A New Interstate Could Be Coming to East Texas

A new study was released by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) that could convert U.S. 287 into an interstate (WFAA). U.S. 287 is 671 miles long and goes from the Texas coast into Montana. A portion of U.S. 287 runs through the southwestern portion of East Texas.

What the conversion wants to do is make it easier to get from Port Arthur to Fort Worth and from Fort Worth to Amarillo. It is believed to bring an additional $11.6 billion to the gross domestic product of Texas. It could also add about 47,000 jobs which is always a good thing.

Before 287 Becomes an Interstate

There are a couple of hoops to jump through before this happens. Congress would have to designate U.S. 287 as an interstate first. Once that's done, work could begin to convert the highway to an interstate.

If you want to take the time to read the full study from TxDOT, you can check it out at ftp.dot.state.tx.us.