DALLAS · FEBRUARY 22, 2003
The High Five takes shape
Segmental bridges and towering ramps at US 75 and I-635.
See the construction photos ↗Photos: Raul Medina III / Raul’s Photography
Look at the ramps taking shape!
PHOTOGRAPHS · MAPS · TEXAS ROAD HISTORY
The roads
that made
Texas.
Explore historic Texas freeway photographs, planning maps and road stories from Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and across the state.
Source: TxDOT archive library · May 1961
A city taking shape, one road at a time.
EXPLORE BY PLACE
Texas freeway history
by city
Every city, a different road story. Start somewhere familiar and see it as you’ve never seen it before.
THROUGH THE ARCHIVE
Historic Texas
freeway photographs
Let your eye find the story. Choose a photograph to open it larger, or browse all 17 in the slideshow.
Source: TxDOT archive library1949Velasco Street Overpass
Caption & collection
Notice that the median consists of a curb with no barrier. Explore this collection
Collection publication source: Economic Evaluation of the Gulf Freeway, City of Houston, July, 1949
Source: Texas Turnpike Authority Annual Reports1957Dallas Mixmaster nearing completion
Caption & collection
The Dallas–Fort Worth Turnpike terminus at the Dallas Mixmaster, looking north. Explore this collection
Collection: TexasFreeway San Antonio photographsSeptember 2, 2001Above San Antonio on I-10
Caption & collection
View from the upper deck near the end of the elevated structure, approaching downtown San Antonio. Explore this collection
Collection: TexasFreeway Austin historic photographsJune 1960I-35 takes shape through Austin
Caption & collection
Downtown I-35 construction, looking south from 12th Street. Explore this collection
Collection: TexasFreeway El Paso photographsMay 31, 2001Through the mountains of El Paso
Caption & collection
Loop 375 Trans-Mountain Road through the mountains north of El Paso. Explore this collection
Source: TxDOT archive libraryFebruary 1959Corpus Christi from above
Caption & collection
Aerial view of the I-37 terminus at US 181, looking south. Explore this collection
Show 11 more photographs
Source: TxDOT archive library1949Aerial view over Telephone Road
Caption & collection
This view looks north towards downtown. Explore this collection
Collection publication source: Economic Evaluation of the Gulf Freeway, City of Houston, July, 1949
Source: TxDOT archive library1949Traffic Counting Device
Caption & collection
This strange device is something straight out of the 1950’s (well, late 1940’s to be exact). Explore this collection
Collection publication source: Economic Evaluation of the Gulf Freeway, City of Houston, July, 1949
Source: TxDOT archive library1953Looking towards downtown
Caption & collection
This section of I-45 just south of downtown was completed in 1948. Explore this collection
Collection publication source: Economic Evaluation of the Gulf Freeway, City of Houston, July, 1949
Source: TxDOT archive libraryUndated · circa 1950sObservation Tower
Caption & collection
In 1950, freeways were a new form of transportation. TxDOT was carefully studying vehicle movements to better understand roadway performance. Explore this collection
Collection publication source: Economic Evaluation of the Gulf Freeway, City of Houston, July, 1949
Source: TxDOT archive libraryJuly 1956Installation of center barrier
Caption & collection
About eight years after the opening of the freeway, the center guardrail was installed. Explore this collection
Collection publication source: Economic Evaluation of the Gulf Freeway, City of Houston, July, 1949
Source: TxDOT archive library1954The original drawbridge
Caption & collection
View of the original Galveston Bay Causeway drawbridge. Explore this collection
Source: TxDOT archive library1961Two generations of the causeway
Caption & collection
New high-clearance bridge and original causeway drawbridge. The original drawbridge was later demolished. Explore this collection
Source: TxDOT archive libraryMay 1961The I-45 / I-10 merge
Caption & collection
This view looking south shows the interchange just north of downtown under construction. Explore this collection
Source: TxDOT archive libraryMay 1961West of downtown
Caption & collection
This view looking northeast shows the IH-45 bridge over Buffalo Bayou, with the downtown Houston skyline in the background. Explore this collection
Source: TxDOT archive libraryMay 1961Near the Sam Houston Coliseum
Caption & collection
This view looking north includes the Sam Houston Coliseum on the right side. Explore this collection
Source: TxDOT archive libraryDecember 3, 1964Pierce Elevated
Caption & collection
This view, looking southeast, shows the Pierce Elevated substantially complete. Official opening did not occur until 1967, according to news reports. Explore this collection
More photo collections Austin ↗Dallas–Fort Worth ↗Houston →
ROAD STORIES
Texas freeway stories
and forgotten routes
The freeway ends right here.
FEATURED HISTORY / HOUSTON
The freeways
that weren’t.
Some roads exist only on old planning maps. Others leave clues in the landscape. Discover the stories behind Houston’s cancelled freeways.
Read the illustrated history Historical account · Originally updated January 13, 2001CONSTRUCTION ARCHIVES · EARLY 2000s
Texas freeway
construction archives
Before the ribbon was cut. Revisit Texas roads as they took shape in these historical construction photographs.
AUSTIN · AUGUST 24, 2002
Building US 183 North
Revisit the construction zone around Anderson Mill.
See the construction photos ↗TexasFreeway construction archive
HOUSTON · MARCH 10, 2004
Westpark, before opening day
A drive through the tollway corridor as crews prepared the road.
See the construction photos ↗TexasFreeway construction archive
FORT WORTH · SEPTEMBER 4, 2000
Rebuilding the Mixmaster
See I-30 and I-35W coming together on the edge of downtown.
See the construction photos ↗TexasFreeway construction archive
MAPS, PLANS & POSSIBLE FUTURES
Historic Texas
freeway planning maps
Before the road, there was a line on a map. Explore what planners imagined.
MAP DETAIL · 1987FEATURED PLAN / HOUSTON
Houston’s proposed
Gap Parkway
1987
Trace the proposed Gap Parkway, then read its place in Houston’s cancelled-freeway history.
FROM THE ARCHIVE1954
↓
1961GALVESTON BAY CAUSEWAY
↓
1961GALVESTON BAY CAUSEWAY
ONE MORE LOOK
Galveston Causeway
through the years
The causeway photographs show the original drawbridge in 1954 and a newer high-clearance bridge beside it in 1961. Different viewpoints reveal a crossing in transition.
Explore the Galveston Causeway collection →
Source: TxDOT archive library
BACK INTO THE ARCHIVE
Latest additions
183A reaches beyond Highway 29
From the old intersection at RM 620 to the newest lanes toward Liberty Hill, follow the tollway’s history through construction photographs and commentary.
Added ·
US 183 North: building the freeway
Browse dated construction collections from 2001 through 2004, following the work toward RM 620 and Lakeline Mall Drive.
Added ·
Explore Houston’s road history
Find historic photographs, planning documents and construction collections together, with commentary connecting the roads to Houston’s development.
Added ·
LOOK BACK.
SEE THE ROAD DIFFERENTLY.
Original photographs. Lasting stories.
TexasFreeway brings together historic photographs, maps and accounts of the roads that shaped Texas. Explore the original material, follow its sources and discover the stories behind places you travel today.
Read about TexasFreeway’s next chapter →