I-35/ TX 81 at Hillsboro, TX - Question

[Brian556]

Why does TX 81 (OLD US 77/81) south of Hillsboro have frontage roads? I am wondering if there was a change in plans for I-35 in this area? It just seems strange to put frontage roads on this highway if it wasn't planned to be a part of the interstate, and traffic volumes were going to be reduced when the interstate was built.

Google Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=32.003418,-97.107382&spn=0.051023,0.10952&z=14

Link to 1961 map of this area:http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/maps/images/map5174.jpg

[Stephane Dumas]

Interesting point, and we have to check if this setup is the only one at Hillsboro? There might be some other similar case elsewhere.

Meanwhile, I checked some streetview of the interchange with I-35 and I ponder if TXDOT is reconfigurating this interchange? http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=31.969147,-97.120364&spn=0.006371,0.01929&t=k&z=16&layer=c&cbll=31.969141,-97.120363&panoid=xpF-pgANPHXufdZF__YtEg&cbp=11,300.33,,0,3.8

[Brian556]

The interchange reconstruction on the south side of Hillsboro is now complete. The I-35 split interchange has also been reconfigured.

[Scott5114]

Why don't you ask around at work?

[Brian556]

I don't work for the state anymore. Plus, the area in question is in a different district.

[Sykotyk]

Why does TX 81 (OLD US 77/81) south of Hillsboro have frontage roads? I am wondering if there was a change in plans for I-35 in this area? It just seems strange to put frontage roads on this highway if it wasn't planned to be a part of the interstate, and traffic volumes were going to be reduced when the interstate was built.

Google Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=32.003418,-97.107382&spn=0.051023,0.10952&z=14

Link to 1961 map of this area:http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/maps/images/map5174.jpg

I remember in Brownfield, TX driving through that US-385 has frontage roads for a four-lane divided highway that had no interchanges, just general cross traffic and no slip ramps.

Seemed odd. Like they somehow anticipated Brownfield would one day need a freeway upgrade and the land would be ready to go.

[Stephane Dumas]

Time to dust-off a bit the subject by mentionning then Google maps updated their satellite picture of I-35/TX-81 interchange.
http://maps.google.com/?ll=31.970221,-97.107081&spn=0.02836,0.038581&t=k&z=15

[rte66man]

Time to dust-off a bit the subject by mentionning then Google maps updated their satellite picture of I-35/TX-81 interchange.
http://maps.google.com/?ll=31.970221,-97.107081&spn=0.02836,0.038581&t=k&z=15

Bout time they got rid of the left exit northbound. Now they need to move east to I45 and do the same southbound at Corsicana and Richland.

rte66man

[US81]

I grew up in the area (a long time ago) and I remember other parts of IH-35/US 81, in particular the stretch from IH-20 (then IH-820) in south Ft. Worth to TX 174 in Burleson having the same architecture:  no exit slip-ramps, but crossovers and frontage roads.  (The FW-Burleson area was reconstructed in the mid-1970's.)

No citation - just memories. 

[rte66man]

Why does TX 81 (OLD US 77/81) south of Hillsboro have frontage roads? I am wondering if there was a change in plans for I-35 in this area? It just seems strange to put frontage roads on this highway if it wasn't planned to be a part of the interstate, and traffic volumes were going to be reduced when the interstate was built.

Google Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=32.003418,-97.107382&spn=0.051023,0.10952&z=14

Link to 1961 map of this area:http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/maps/images/map5174.jpg

I remember in Brownfield, TX driving through that US-385 has frontage roads for a four-lane divided highway that had no interchanges, just general cross traffic and no slip ramps.

Seemed odd. Like they somehow anticipated Brownfield would one day need a freeway upgrade and the land would be ready to go.

I don't think that's the case. Depending on when the original roads were built, it is more likely they were controlling the access. FOr example, US81 north of Duncan, OK was widened to four lanes from the edge of town to the OK7 junction (mid 1950's).  There were businesses and houses along the original two lanes that needed access. A decision was made to build frontage roads at various points so access could be preserved, but mainline traffic would not be slowed down. An example still remaining is at:
http://goo.gl/maps/5dyt

rte66man

[msunat97]

US 231 in Montgomery, AL has the same setup...frontage roads to control traffic access & keep the Eastern Bypass (as it was called & still called) flowing.

[ethanhopkin14]

Interesting point, and we have to check if this setup is the only one at Hillsboro? There might be some other similar case elsewhere.

Meanwhile, I checked some streetview of the interchange with I-35 and I ponder if TXDOT is reconfigurating this interchange? http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=31.969147,-97.120364&spn=0.006371,0.01929&t=k&z=16&layer=c&cbll=31.969141,-97.120363&panoid=xpF-pgANPHXufdZF__YtEg&cbp=11,300.33,,0,3.8

Business Loop 20 in Odessa has the same set up, as does Spur 422 Poteet-Jourdanton Freeway in South San Antonio.  Funny that the later is named freeway when it no where close to being so.  There are other setups like this in Texas, both those are off the top of my head.

[thisdj78]

In a slightly off topic but related question: what are they doing at the bridge over US77 just south of the E/W split? Seems like they are always repairing something at this intersection.

[NE2]

Business Loop 20 in Odessa has the same set up, as does Spur 422 Poteet-Jourdanton Freeway in South San Antonio.

One bird said to Billy Pilgrim, "Poo-tee-weet?"

[longhorn]

I really like the bridge support designs at the 77 interchange and up and down the I35 corridor construction between Salado and Hillsboro.