I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier. A short section of FM 2499 just north of SH 121 in Grapevine is being upgraded to a freeway. Will this be the first ever or only current FM or RM freeway in Texas?
No. FM 1764.
In the "almost but not quite" category, much of of Loop 1604 in San Antonio was at one point FM 1604, though I believe the designation was changed before any of it was upgraded to a freeway.
FM149 became a freeway and turned into SH249. I am not sure, and route numbering change first, or freeway first.
Historical imagery in Google Earth shows the interchange with Beltway 8 being under construction at the end of 1988, which is when the designation changed. I'd say it was changed specifically because of the plans to make it a freeway.
Someone mentioned it already but FM 1764 in Texas city is a freeway: The Emmett f Lowry expressway.
And FM 149 became SH 249 because they were building the freeway. Now FM 149 begins at the intersection with 249 and 1774.
Incidentally, before the tollway was extended through that area, this intersection served as the termini of all three highways: the southern terminus of both FM 1774 and FM 149 and the northern terminus of SH 249.
I lived in that area for two and a Half years so I know it very well
Quote from: NE2 on December 04, 2014, 01:56:22 PM
No. FM 1764.
Yep, the Emmett F. Lowry Freeway in Texas City. Still labeled as FM-1764 a decade later.
Quote from: Perfxion on December 05, 2014, 06:36:35 AM
FM149 became a freeway and turned into SH249. I am not sure, and route numbering change first, or freeway first.
Numbering change first. Change came in 1988/89 or so, freeway in the mid-90s.
Quote from: TXtoNJ on January 21, 2021, 05:28:26 PM
Quote from: Perfxion on December 05, 2014, 06:36:35 AM
FM149 became a freeway and turned into SH249. I am not sure, and route numbering change first, or freeway first.
Numbering change first. Change came in 1988/89 or so, freeway in the mid-90s.
For those interested:
Quote from: TxDOT Highway Designation Files
FARM TO MARKET ROAD NO. 149
Minute Orders 088009, dated 10/28/1988; 087493, dated 06/28/1988; Adm. Ltr. dated 01/25/1989
From FM 3090 near Erwin Community, eastward to SH 90 at Anderson; and from another point on SH 90 at Anderson, east ward and southeastward via Richards and Montgomery, to the junction of FM 1774 and SH 249, with a spur connection of 1.390 miles to FM 1488 a total distance of approximately 41.0 miles. (Grimes and Montgomery Counties)
Section of approx. 26.2 miles from FM 1774 southeast to IH 45 transferred to SH 249.
Quote from: TxDOT Highway Designation Files
STATE HIGHWAY NO. 249
Minute Order 087493, dated 06/28/1988 and Minute Order 088009, dated 10/28/1988; Adm. Ltr. 001-1989, dated 01/25/1989
From the junction of FM 1774 and FM 149 via Tomball southeastward to IH 45 in Houston, total distance of approximately 26.2 miles. (Montgomery and Harris Counties)
Mileage transferred and redesignated from FM 149.
Quote from: kphoger on January 21, 2021, 05:59:33 PM
Quote from: TXtoNJ on January 21, 2021, 05:28:26 PM.
Quote from: TxDOT Highway Designation Files
FARM TO MARKET ROAD NO. 149
Minute Orders 088009, dated 10/28/1988; 087493, dated 06/28/1988; Adm. Ltr. dated 01/25/1989
From FM 3090 near Erwin Community, eastward to SH 90 at Anderson; and from another point on SH 90 at Anderson, east ward and southeastward via Richards and Montgomery, to the junction of FM 1774 and SH 249, with a spur connection of 1.390 miles to FM 1488 a total distance of approximately 41.0 miles. (Grimes and Montgomery Counties)
Section of approx. 26.2 miles from FM 1774 southeast to IH 45 transferred to SH 249.
Quote from: TxDOT Highway Designation Files
I used to live just off the that spur.