AARoads Forum

Regional Boards => Mid-South => Topic started by: bugo on July 16, 2012, 11:58:55 PM

Title: Stub ramp and odd expressway in Wichita Falls, TX (Spur 447)
Post by: bugo on July 16, 2012, 11:58:55 PM
I found an interesting road on Google Maps (TX Spur 447.)

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Wichita+Falls,+TX&hl=en&ll=33.897991,-98.490028&spn=0.00846,0.019248&sll=33.256633,-95.900602&sspn=0.034092,0.07699&oq=wichita+f&hnear=Wichita+Falls,+Wichita,+Texas&t=k&z=16

Frontage roads were built for a few blocks.  Was there supposed to be an elevated freeway through here?  Why was it cancelled? 

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Wichita+Falls,+TX&hl=en&ll=33.908392,-98.485194&spn=0.000748,0.001203&sll=33.256633,-95.900602&sspn=0.034092,0.07699&oq=wichita+f&hnear=Wichita+Falls,+Wichita,+Texas&t=k&z=20

A very clear view of a stub ramp.  What's the deal here?
Title: Re: Stub ramp and odd expressway in Wichita Falls, TX (Spur 447)
Post by: qguy on July 17, 2012, 09:29:25 AM
The Kell freeway was intended to continue from the partial stack interchange, where it currently ends, to the northeast along surface Kell Blvd. and around to the north side of town. The stub ramp you indicate was for an interchange that was to be located there.

The freeway system in Wichita Falls is being built piece-by-piece over a long period of time. In the mid-80s, I was there TDY for three months when I was in the Air Force. At that time, the split elevated freeway along Broad and Holiday Sts. wasn't there, neither was the stack, and Kell Blvd. was a freeway in only one or two short, disconnected pieces, with traffic mostly travelling along what is now the Kell Blvd. frontage roads.

Here's another stub-end which hints at the continuation of the Kell freeway continuing past the stack:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Wichita+Falls,+TX&hl=en&ll=33.895159,-98.498472&spn=0.004497,0.008208&sll=33.256633,-95.900602&sspn=0.034092,0.07699&oq=wichita+f&hnear=Wichita+Falls,+Wichita,+Texas&t=k&z=17

Does anyone know of any plans to continue the Kell beyond the stack interchange?
Title: Re: Stub ramp and odd expressway in Wichita Falls, TX (Spur 447)
Post by: dariusb on July 18, 2012, 03:04:44 AM
Wow, interesting.
Title: Re: Stub ramp and odd expressway in Wichita Falls, TX (Spur 447)
Post by: austrini on July 18, 2012, 08:09:51 AM
TxDot had this phase where every district got to have a big stack, I think. I remember driving through here as a kid and Wichita Falls was an endless display of traffic lights and open fields for ROW.
Title: Re: Stub ramp and odd expressway in Wichita Falls, TX (Spur 447)
Post by: dariusb on July 18, 2012, 04:58:01 PM
Are there any plans to finish this project or has it been cancelled?