SH 21 through downtown Madisonville is a heavily congested primary connection between I-45 and SH 90. The current SH 21 roadway provides few widening options to accommodate local and through traffic.  In 2014, TxDOT conducted a feasibility study to determine the effectiveness of a relief route from SH 21 west of Madisonville to I-45 as a means of relieving congestion and increasing mobility.


The proposed relief route is expected to:




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

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

On March 7, 2017, the community was able to comment on alternatives for a relief route around Madisonville.

On December 4, 2017, TxDOT hosted an open house public meeting for the public to review and comment on the preferred alternative.

Based on input from local stakeholders, TxDOT determined that it would be prudent to consider the possible future need for a full loop around Madisonville. Therefore, TxDOT evaluated the feasibility for such a project.

Where we are now

Through a series of public meetings and evaluations, a preferred alternative for the southern half of the loop has been refined and is being further designed. The proposed project would provide two 12-foot wide travel lanes in each direction separated by a grassy median. The travel lanes would be bounded by 4-foot wide inside and 10-foot wide outside shoulders. The proposed Right of Way on the relief route of SH 21 would be between 250 and 500 feet wide. The roadway would be a high speed facility with limited access but not completely access controlled as there would be no frontage roads. A limited number of minor roads and driveways would connect to one side of the proposed roadway, but primary access to the facility would be via grade separated interchanges at major cross roads. There would be grade separations at the crossings of SH 90, SH 75, IH 45 and Pee Dee Lane. Entrance and exit ramps would provide access to SH 90 and SH 75. A new relief route bridge would be built over IH 45. New ramps along IH 45 would provide access to and from the relief route.

The project is funded to go to construction in Fall 2024.

Get Involved