Killeen plans for U.S. 190 widening Posted On: Sunday, Nov. 22 2009 05:37 AM By Hailey Persinger
Killeen Daily Herald

Though the Texas Department of Transportation is still in the planning stages of its U.S. Highway 190 expansion project, city officials, residents and business owners are already preparing for the $120 million change to Killeen's main traffic artery.

Schematics for the project outline the plan to expand the now four-lane highway to six lanes and widen access roads on either side of U.S. 190. The first phase of the two-part project will begin at the Bernie Beck Main Gate and stretch to W.S. Young Drive. The project will end at Farm-to-Market 2410 in Harker Heights.

Currently, TxDOT is waiting to receive federal and state funding for the project but Ken Roberts, public information officer for TxDOT said the state agency hopes to have the first phase complete by Spring of 2011.

As TxDOT and the city of Killeen gear up for the expansion, they are also preparing some property owners for the possibility of losing some of their land to the project. Some businesses, particularly those along the first stretch of the project from Fort Hood to W.S. Young Drive, were built close to the access roads when the highway was first constructed. For TxDOT to complete the project, portions of those properties will need to be paved over or used as buffer space between the access road and the establishments.

Roberts said TxDOT expects 11 residences and eight commercial businesses to be affected but that in the instance of possible requirements that those businesses relocate, the agency offers financial assistance.

But Jim Butler, executive director of public works for the city of Killeen, said at this point, no property owners are being asked to relocate.

"Our intent is not to displace anyone," he said.

Though property owners may not need to move, some businesses like Red Lobster and Mattress and Bedroom Direct will lose some parking because of its close proximity to the highway.

Despite this, Daniel Ahlers, general manager of Red Lobster on U.S. 190, said he expects business to continue as usual.

"We're always going to be concerned with how our guests are getting to us," he said. "We know there are always going to be some outside threats."

He also said that though the project may make it a little more difficult for patrons, the finished highway will likely drive even more business to the restaurant.

Mylene Domanite, general manager of Mattress and Bedroom Direct, said business at her store may also pick up after the possible slowdown because of construction. She said many of her customers find out about the store just by driving by. As more people use U.S. 190, she said, more people may find what they're looking for at her warehouse.

"We have been here for over two years and they say 'oh I never knew you were here,'" she said. "It probably will be doing a good thing for our business."

As TxDOT waits for funding, the city of Killeen anticipates what the project will do for the quickly-growing population, said Killeen Mayor Pro Tem Scott Cosper.

"It's going to be a huge contributor to our access and mobility up and down the 190 corridor. It's very likely we could see that project go to construction by the end of next year and that is extremely exciting for central texas," Cosper said. "We've been working on the project for a decade now and it's very reassuring for TxDOT to see the need."

Contact Hailey Persinger at haileyp@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7568.