SH 21 through downtown Madisonville is a heavily congested primary connection between I-45 and SH 90. The roadway’s location provides few widening options to accommodate local and through traffic. A relief route around Madisonville was studied to increase mobility.

Purpose and Need

The purpose of the SH 21 relief route feasibility study is to connect regional traffic on the west side of Madisonville to I-45, which will relieve SH 21 (Main Street) and surrounding roadways from through traffic between I-45, SH 75, SH 90 and SH 21.

The proposed relief route is expected to:

• Address traffic growth: Traffic through Madisonville is expected to increase from 13,000 to 18,500 vehicles per day by 2035.
• Improve regional I-45 connectivity: A relief route would increase regional mobility, moving traffic efficiently to and from I-45.
• Improve local circulation: Reducing the amount of through traffic in the downtown Madisonville area would enhance mobility within the surrounding area.
• Improve safety: The relief route is expected to reduce crash rates on SH 21, SH 90 and SH 75. There were more than 200 crashes in the past five years along these roadways including one fatality.
• Preserve local infrastructure: Traffic reduction (especially trucks) would maintain the integrity of the existing roadway and reduce the long-term cost of maintenance.

Get Involved

The preliminary alternatives were presented at a community workgroup on May 27, 2014. Representatives from Madison County, the City of Madisonville and the Madison Independent School District identified recommended alternatives.

The public viewed and provided comments on the primary alternatives at an open house on July 22, 2014.

Downloads

• Feasibility Study Area
• Preliminary Route Alternatives
• Preliminary Opportunities and Constraints
• Recommended Route Alternatives
  
• Feasibility Report
• Resolution