A question about loops in Texas

[mcdonaat]

Driving west along US 190, I noticed that, in Newton, you had "Loop 505." However, it wasn't a loop, since SH 87 does the looping, and it basically is a different name for "Business SH 87."

Maybe someone from that area could help me figure out why it's called Loop 505 instead of Business 87 or just SH 505.

[Brian556]

This is a somewhat common practice in Texas to give the old alignment of a highway through a town a loop designation instead of a business [parent highway] designation. Some are even given FM designations.

Prior to 1991, all Business Routes had a hidden loop or spur designation. In 1991, they eliminated these hidden designations. There also were and still are some, like the one mentioned, that are actually signed as a loop, and that is their only designation.

[mcdonaat]

That's weird, because we never sign our loops as loops, just bypasses, but I actually took Loop 505 today (GPS-free trip) and ended up going through a residential part of Newton... only to give up and turn around, and take 190 out of town.

Is it just a SW Texas thing to have EVERY CR signed on the main road? Also, what's up with vague destinations? Post office? To Co Rd XXXX? I even thought I saw a sign pointed to a school that closed a few years ago.

[Brian556]

Is it just a SW Texas thing to have EVERY CR signed on the main road? Also, what's up with vague destinations? Post office? To Co Rd XXXX? I even thought I saw a sign pointed to a school that closed a few years ago.

Depends on what area you are in. They do this in Wise County, but not Denton County.

[US71]

This is a somewhat common practice in Texas to give the old alignment of a highway through a town a loop designation instead of a business [parent highway] designation. Some are even given FM designations.

Prior to 1991, all Business Routes had a hidden loop or spur designation. In 1991, they eliminated these hidden designations. There also were and still are some, like the one mentioned, that are actually signed as a loop, and that is their only designation.

Loop 157 in Tenaha appears to be Old US 59 and old US 96.

[US81]

Is it just a SW Texas thing to have EVERY CR signed on the main road? Also, what's up with vague destinations? Post office? To Co Rd XXXX? I even thought I saw a sign pointed to a school that closed a few years ago.

I definitely see it in mostly rural counties and not so much in the more urban areas.

[US71]

Is it just a SW Texas thing to have EVERY CR signed on the main road? Also, what's up with vague destinations? Post office? To Co Rd XXXX? I even thought I saw a sign pointed to a school that closed a few years ago.

I saw in Bowie, Cass, Van Zandt, and numerous other counties. Longview even has signs pointing the way to various politician offices (like Louie Gohmert).