Texas

[wxfree]

TxDOT is decreasing the speed limit on part of I-10 in Hudspeth County.  Since the legislation in 2005 authorizing the speed limit of 80, that limit has been in effect for all of the eligible parts of I-10 and I-20, minus the section of eastbound I-10 through a border checkpoint (also minus the discontinuous section in Kerr County).  The speed limit will be reduced to 75 for about 9 miles, from The Boulevard going west.  This includes the fairly sharp curve near Lasca Road.  Going eastbound the limit will be 75 from the same point 9 miles west of The Boulevard to near the checkpoint, where the speed limit will be unchanged.  As a technical note, they're also formalizing the lower speed limit at the checkpoint.  In 2006 the minute order increased the speed limit to 80 through the whole county, but eastbound through the checkpoint was signed as 70.  They're now cancelling the speed limit of 80 through the zone.

This month's speed limit minute order has a speed reduction theme.  Several limits of 70 and 75 are being reduced to 65 in rural areas, in random places across the state.  I don't remember that happening before.  I've seen regional reductions, and reductions on busy roads, but I don't recall a minute order like this one.

[ElishaGOtis]

TxDOT is decreasing the speed limit on part of I-10 in Hudspeth County.  Since the legislation in 2005 authorizing the speed limit of 80, that limit has been in effect for all of the eligible parts of I-10 and I-20, minus the section of eastbound I-10 through a border checkpoint (also minus the discontinuous section in Kerr County).  The speed limit will be reduced to 75 for about 9 miles, from The Boulevard going west.  This includes the fairly sharp curve near Lasca Road.  Going eastbound the limit will be 75 from the same point 9 miles west of The Boulevard to near the checkpoint, where the speed limit will be unchanged.  As a technical note, they're also formalizing the lower speed limit at the checkpoint.  In 2006 the minute order increased the speed limit to 80 through the whole county, but eastbound through the checkpoint was signed as 70.  They're now cancelling the speed limit of 80 through the zone.

This month's speed limit minute order has a speed reduction theme.  Several limits of 70 and 75 are being reduced to 65 in rural areas, in random places across the state.  I don't remember that happening before.  I've seen regional reductions, and reductions on busy roads, but I don't recall a minute order like this one.

Yk what, that drop is probably OK on I-10. Where were the other massive drops?

Nvm found it: https://www.txdot.gov/content/dam/docs/commission/2026/0430/13e.pdf

[wxfree]

Reading the minute order again, because I'm obsessive about understanding obscure technicalities, I think I explained it incorrectly.  The mile points are confusing.  I think I have it figured out.  Here's my understanding after reconsideration and a second reconsideration.

Eastbound:
Speed limit of 75 from 5.1 miles before Lasca Road to before the checkpoint
Speed limit 70 through checkpoint, starting 0.6 mile earlier than it starts now
Speed limit 80 after checkpoint, near The Boulevard

Westbound:
Speed limit 75 along the same stretch, from near The Boulevard to 5.1 miles past Lasca Road

That additional 0.6 mile of the 70 mph speed limit confused me.  When an earlier speed zone is cancelled, the limit reverts to the default of 70, unless it's inside a city and the city sets a different limit, which is not the case here.  I think I got this right now.

[Road Hog]

I just had a good chat with TxDOT's Collin County project engineer ... after midnight on the street just down from my house. She was shoveling up chunks of tar off city streets from a road project a quarter-mile away.

I was just popping out to get a snack and there she was in a TxDOT truck working away. TxDOT gets a lot of crap from failure from contractors and they're just trying to clean up after them. Our conversation was very educational.

[Rothman]

I just had a good chat with TxDOT's Collin County project engineer ... after midnight on the street just down from my house. She was shoveling up chunks of tar off city streets from a road project a quarter-mile away.

I was just popping out to get a snack and there she was in a TxDOT truck working away. TxDOT gets a lot of crap from failure from contractors and they're just trying to clean up after them. Our conversation was very educational.

Who oversees the contractors?  Have to say that you have to have good EICs to ensure a project is done right.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.netrma.org/projects/segment-6/

A public meeting on Segment 6 of the Loop 49 project in the Tyler area.

Interim build- two lanes (one lane in each direction) separated by a 68' grassy median. Passing lanes will be available.
Ultimate buildout- four-lane toll road with a 68' grassy median.

Construction on this segment could begin as soon as 2033.

[-- US 175 --]

https://www.netrma.org/projects/segment-6/

A public meeting on Segment 6 of the Loop 49 project in the Tyler area.

Interim build- two lanes (one lane in each direction) separated by a 68' grassy median. Passing lanes will be available.
Ultimate buildout- four-lane toll road with a 68' grassy median.

Construction on this segment could begin as soon as 2033.

I wonder if they'll build anything between US 271 and I-20 for Loop 49, or just stop it at US 271 and let TX 155 be the de facto connection to I-20.

NETRMA needs to hurry up and make the existing loop 4-lane.  There have been several wrecks while Loop 49 has been 2-lane.

[sprjus4]

I suppose that is why they're constructing the new segments with a median, as opposed to a single roadway. At least you can eliminate those head on collisions.

Probably should've been done that way from the beginning, to be honest.

[The Ghostbuster]

If the portion of Loop 49 along US 271 is ever built (to eventually connect with proposed segments 7 & 8), will US 271 itself be converted, or will 49 be built parallel to 271?

[-- US 175 --]

If the portion of Loop 49 along US 271 is ever built (to eventually connect with proposed segments 7 & 8), will US 271 itself be converted, or will 49 be built parallel to 271?

It would be a shorter path to I-20 to use TX 155 but I haven't heard what their plans are.  They've had that dumb "hourglass" fantasy for so long (when I-20 and TX 31 already connect Tyler to Longview) that they've forgotten that there's still the east side of Tyler to do.

[MaxConcrete]

Interim build- two lanes (one lane in each direction) separated by a 68' grassy median.

I don't recall ever driving on a highway/freeway/tollway with one lane in each direction separated by a median.

[rte66man]

Interim build- two lanes (one lane in each direction) separated by a 68' grassy median.

I don't recall ever driving on a highway/freeway/tollway with one lane in each direction separated by a median.

IIIRC, CA120 from Manteca to I5 was one lane each way with a median before it's current configuration was built.

[jakeroot]

Hey everyone. I just moved to San Antonio to continue my flight training. Just wanted to introduce myself to this thread.

I drove here from Seattle. I entered Texas on US-87 (having started that particular day in Breckenridge, CO), stayed a night in Amarillo, and got into San Antonio the next day.

Some of the things I've noticed in my week here:

* Overall road quality is quite good. There are exceptions in every state, but things are nice and smooth here;
* There are lot more US routes than I'm used to in Washington;
* The frontage roads are a great idea, if a little dicey trying to merge onto a close-by on-ramp;
* There's a lot of Clearview (I understand it is still installed here?);
* Construction projects seem enormous and span for miles and miles (eg I-10 @ Loop 1604 or, more prominently, I-35 near I-410);
* The lack of 80 mph limits on more highways is surprising when they are the norm in other states (like Utah or Idaho) and given that two-lane roads can be posted at 75, the same as most freeways;
* Drivers turning left seem pretty timid, I've missed several lights when the driver in front didn't inch out;
* There is no black border around "EXIT ONLY" messages on signs;
* The turnaround roads at interchanges seem to always have yield signs even when they get their own lane;
* Turnarounds that interfere with cross-over-style left turns (like I-35 @ FM 306 in New Braunfels or Loop 1604 @ Bandera Road) seem like they could allow turns on red but don't;

Probably lots of other thoughts, but that's what comes to mind right now as someone who has spent virtually no time in Texas until now.

Overall though, loving it here!

[-- US 175 --]

Hey everyone. I just moved to San Antonio to continue my flight training. Just wanted to introduce myself to this thread.

* There's a lot of Clearview (I understand it is still installed here?)

Welcome to TX!

TxDOT still likes Clearview, but there are still a few leftover doses of FHWA here and there.

* Construction projects seem enormous and span for miles and miles

Most of the notable projects around TX are expansive.  I'm not familiar with the San Antonio projects, but the ones closer to me are.  Those include the "SE Connector" (I-20/I-820/US 287 in SE Fort Worth), "LBJ East" (I-635 between US 75 and I-30), US 75 in Sherman, US 75 south of Sherman, as well as one that affects me personally: the last unwidened section of US 175 being widened to mostly divided highway.

[jakeroot]

Hey everyone. I just moved to San Antonio to continue my flight training. Just wanted to introduce myself to this thread.

* There's a lot of Clearview (I understand it is still installed here?)

Welcome to TX!

TxDOT still likes Clearview, but there are still a few leftover doses of FHWA here and there.

I see, it does seem like it's very common. I even see some negative-contrast here and there, such as Northbound I-10 to I-410 West (which from old imagery seems to have been installed this year). I am not against Clearview so it's fine with me. I've noticed many new street signs installed in the City of San Antonion also use Clearview (white on blue). Some parking signs even seem to be in Clearview, too.

* Construction projects seem enormous and span for miles and miles

Most of the notable projects around TX are expansive.  I'm not familiar with the San Antonio projects, but the ones closer to me are.  Those include the "SE Connector" (I-20/I-820/US 287 in SE Fort Worth), "LBJ East" (I-635 between US 75 and I-30), US 75 in Sherman, US 75 south of Sherman, as well as one that affects me personally: the last unwidened section of US 175 being widened to mostly divided highway.

Good to know. It doesn't bother me, since I know this stuff has to eventually happen. Better to get it all done at once. Around here in SA, the I-10/Loop 1604 interchange gets a lot of attention because of the flyovers and ground-level roundabout ("fidget spinner"), but the most impressive to me was all the flyovers I mentioned along I-35 between I-410 and Loop 1604. They span for miles and miles and apparently are express lanes between only major interchanges.

Here's a video (from one of us?) of the details:

Speaking of all the roads, does Texas have a single nomenclature for roads? I know "I-10" is normally "IH-10" and so on, at least on signs. I keep saying "the 10" since I'm way more familiar with the Southern California section and that's what they call it there (and also "the 410"), but I don't know if that's fine, or if there is a single accepted term here in Texas for interstates, state highways, US routes (like just the number?)

[kphoger]

Yes, I eventually realized on this forum that the Clearview haters tended to be people who hadn't spent enough time driving in Texas, where Clearview is everywhere but also where Clearview is done right (aside from some quirky things like negative contrast, as you mentioned).

[-- US 175 --]

Speaking of all the roads, does Texas have a single nomenclature for roads? I know "I-10" is normally "IH-10" and so on, at least on signs. I keep saying "the 10" since I'm way more familiar with the Southern California section and that's what they call it there (and also "the 410"), but I don't know if that's fine, or if there is a single accepted term here in Texas for interstates, state highways, US routes (like just the number?)

TxDOT uses "IH-(number)" when they refer to interstates.  Traffic reporters are mixed; some will use a freeway's name while others will say the number, with or without the type.  Individuals are mostly the same, a mix.  Some will say "Highway (number)" for any non-interstate if they don't use the type.  There are occasions where people will use the name and never the number (like Preston Road in Dallas, no one ever calls the part north of Loop 12 as "289", "SH 289", or "Highway 289").  AFAIK, only folks like yourself and those from CA, might use "the (number)", likely until they're settled in and acclimated.  So, really, you're not really going to hear just 1 way of referring to routes and streets.

[bwana39]

Speaking of all the roads, does Texas have a single nomenclature for roads? I know "I-10" is normally "IH-10" and so on, at least on signs. I keep saying "the 10" since I'm way more familiar with the Southern California section and that's what they call it there (and also "the 410"), but I don't know if that's fine, or if there is a single accepted term here in Texas for interstates, state highways, US routes (like just the number?)

BF - Business Farm to Market Road

BI - Business Interstate Highway

BS - Business State Highway

BU - Business US Highway

FM - Farm to Market Road

FS - Farm to Market Road Spur

IH - Interstate Highway

PA - Principal Arterial Street System

PR - Park Road

RE - Recreational Road

RM - Ranch to Market Road

RR - Ranch Road

RS - Ranch to Market Road Spur

SH - State Highway

SL - State Highway Loop

SS - State Highway Spur

UA - US Alternate

UP - US Highway Spur

US - US Highway

Officially it would be styled like US0075

Those are the official nomenclatures. 

[kphoger]

But, to be clear, I don't think anybody actually calls them by such abbreviations.  Nobody is actually giving directions by saying "go south on I H Thirty-Five".

[jakeroot]

...
Officially it would be styled like US0075

Those are the official nomenclatures. 

Thanks! There are definitely a lot of different types of roads compared to my home state.

The Wurzbach Parkway being "PA" is pretty odd, I understand that's a rare suffix.

But, to be clear, I don't think anybody actually calls them by such abbreviations.  Nobody is actually giving directions by saying "go south on I H Thirty-Five".

This is more what I was getting at (I was looking more for how highways were termed in casual conversation). But I think my answer was sufficiently answered by @-- US 175 -- .

[I-35]

Yes, I eventually realized on this forum that the Clearview haters tended to be people who hadn't spent enough time driving in Texas, where Clearview is everywhere but also where Clearview is done right (aside from some quirky things like negative contrast, as you mentioned).

Hi, Texan here for over 30 years, and I've never cared for Clearview.  Series E(M) is fine, and my personal preference.  I would state that installation rigor has trended downward since the button-copy days so perhaps some of the 'bad' Clearview is just emblematic of things getting worse in general.

[wxfree]

...
Officially it would be styled like US0075

Those are the official nomenclatures. 

Thanks! There are definitely a lot of different types of roads compared to my home state.

The Wurzbach Parkway being "PA" is pretty odd, I understand that's a rare suffix.

PA is short for PASS, the principal arterial state system.  There aren't a lot of them.  There are clusters in big city areas.  That one is the only one I'm aware of that is actually referred by system designation.  The others are just city streets without PASS signage.

The six digit alphanumeric combination is a TxDOT designation each state road has, two letters for the system  and four numbers, starting with 0 if you don't need all the digits.  That's where "IH" comes from, which is rarely used elsewhere.  Sometimes in rural areas when there's nothing else to mention on signs, a control city or destination will be something like "JCT IH 10," but that's still TxDOT.  I'm not aware of any "IH" usage outside of TxDOT.

You rarely hear the two-letter abbreviations other than "US."  Most things that aren't I-Something are either Highway 123 or just 123.  You might hear "FM," but in my experience "Farm Road" is more common.  "Highway number" or just a number is most common, even for FMs.  That's the closest thing to a single nomenclature.  Loops and spurs are exceptions.  You never hear of them as "SL" or "SS" but they're often called "Loop" or "Spur" with the number.  Business routes are most often referred to by their city street names.  I think people have a vague idea of what they do, knowing that "Business" is not the main highway, but they don't really think of the road that way, it's just Main Street or whatever.

[Road Hog]

I see Clearview in Texas so much that when I happen upon a FHWA sign, it really grabs my attention. I think most of those are "survivor" signs from the pre-Clearview era (before 2004).

[wxfree]

I'm putting this here because it's in Texas, and I don't know of another place to mention it.  I don't think it's worthy of its own topic.  I made up the term WTF point to refer to a place where legal forward movement ends without a public road to turn to.  I've seen examples where a two-way road ends where a one-way frontage road ends, and the one-way traffic is toward, not away from, the other road.  It's an L intersection (maybe "converging L intersection" would be a more polite designation), and traffic toward the intersection on the two-way road has to either turn onto a private drive or turn around and go back.  I found an "extreme WTF point" in west Texas along I-20.  A two-way frontage road ends at an entrance ramp.  If it were a one-way frontage road, then everything would line up just right, but traffic headed toward the ramp suddenly faces a road at a slight angle and a Do Not Enter.  They put up a Road Closed barrier in the grass beside the ramp to make it look right, but it's still a bad situation.  There's an unofficial dirt road in the ROW.  The worst part is that there's no signage at the last intersection.  Other WTF points I've seen have "Dead End" or "No Outlet" signs at the last intersection.  This has nothing but a sudden "Do Not Enter" with nowhere to go.

There's an opposite such point just to the west.  An unsigned exit goes to a dead-end frontage road.  The exit is there to give access to a private drive, but if you can't go there, you have to turn around and go back on the frontage road.  Or you can sneak through the unofficial entrance vehicles from that drive use.  This is inconvenient, but it doesn't tend to dump traffic directly on to the wrong side of a freeway.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LTX3hM8EKHzPdgJ39

[kphoger]

where legal forward movement ends without a public road to turn to

Similar situation on I-10:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/iPuiu9RCsv7V2yMF8

At least this one is the same direction:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/oHLVKGPGrXC9Z5GfA

As is this one:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/rN7uYpq94heGavYE8

Most of these appear to at least serve a gate to someone's property (exhibits 1, 2, 3), but that does not appear to the case in the example you posted.  The 'unofficial dirt road' appears to just go up a ridge and then end—although satellite imagery leads me to believe that this leads to a two-track that follows the power line down to a draw below the UP tracks.