Interstate 10, Kerrville to Junction

Last updated September 4, 2001

Also see: Interstate 10 Comfort to Kerrville

Interstate 10 between Kerrville and Junction is probably the most interesting section of Interstate Highway in Texas. Rugged landscapes, numerous cuts through the limestone, and very high design standards make this an impressive facility. Junction receives about 24.8 inches in rainfall annually, according to the NOAA web site. Although this does not officially qualify as a desert, this is a very dry region.

This section of Interstate 10 was completed throughout the 1970s. The major limestone cuts near Junction were open by 1972. A 1976 map shows all of this section complete except for about 10 miles midway between Kerrville and Junction.

Photos taken 2-September-2001 and proceed from east to west

(click for high resolution) Just west of Kerrville, an impressive limestone cut appears on the horizon.

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Approaching a smaller limestone cut.

(click for high resolution) Inside the cut

A mileage indicator. It's a long, long way to El Paso.

The Interstate is straight with consistent grades.

Another typical view.

(click for high resolution) Just east of Junction, the things become interesting as the highway descends into the Llano River valley.

Proceeding westbound down the grade.

(click for high resolution) The upper image appeared on the cover of Texas Highways Magazine in July 1970. The view below shows the same location on September 2, 2001. This is just east of Junction on the eastbound lanes, looking towards the west.

Another view of the eastbound lanes going up the grade.

(click for high resolution) One last view of the eastbound lanes, east of Junction, looking west.

The upper image is a May 1970 view of construction of the IH-10 crossing over the Llano River. The view below shows the same location on September 2, 2001. The Llano Rivers drains the semi-arid terrain of the region, so flow is normally minimal. But as the wide flood plain suggests, occasional floods can cause heavy flows. See photos from a November 2000 flood event.

Looking west from the FM 2291 overpass at the western edge of Junction. Westbound motorists face a grueling 435 mile drive across the desert wastelands of west Texas to reach El Paso.