Austin roads before the familiar freeway map

Here is some interesting information on IH35 north of Austin, taken from the 1957 publication that included the 1953 photo:

"This section of roadway was not originally constructed as part of the Federal Interstate System. The section near Austin was planned and constructed as a relocated four-lane divided expressway-type highway, designed to facilitate the movement of north-south traffic into and through the city. Its new location was considerably east of the old highway.

Purchases of right-of-way for the new facility were begun in late 1948, and were largely completed in 1951. The City of Austin furnished all rights-of-way within the city limits, and Travis County furnished those outside the city. The 300 foot, minimum-width right-of-way was acquired at an estimated cost of $500,000 for the 5-mile section included in this study.

Construction was begun in late 1951, and the entire section was officially completed in June 1954. The completed facility consists of four traffic lanes divided by a median strip, with two-lane frontage roads along either side. Full control of access has not yet been achieved, since several crossovers and at-grade crossings are still in use. Complete control of access will be achieved, however, as this section is brought to Interstate standards."

From 1971-1975, the intersection in this photo was fully reconstructed into a three-level interchange with the US290 main lanes depressed below grade. In 1999, construction began on four direct connectors, making this a five-level interchange.

2001 See the Inner Space sign beckoning tourists and historical marker (170 kB)

For views of today's roadway see Loop 360 photo gallery.

Also, see the Austin historic freeway planning page for a model view of the planned interchange at the canceled Crosstown Freeway.

Aerial Views (section added 25-May-2001)

January 1971 Texas Highways Magazine "A Grass for All Seasons"
This hilarious article details the use of AstroTurf landscaping at the intersection of RM 2222 and Mopac Boulevard. Check out the green uniforms of the installation crew in the cover image (page 1), especially the guy with the green plaid slacks! It turns out this experiment was a bust. The AstroTurf accumulated dirt and oil, garbage stuck to its oily surface, and the bright green rapidly became a nasty gray color.

May 1971 Texas Highways Magazine "MoPac: A Dream Coming True"
This article features the construction of the first segment of Loop 1 (MoPac Blvd). But I don't think the neighborhoods along this freeway consider it a "Dream", judging by the storm of opposition to the facility at an April 2001 public meeting about plans for improvements.

For views of today's freeway see 71/290 photo gallery.

For views of today's freeway see 183 photo gallery.

The following 3 photos were contributed by Robert M. of Austin. Thanks!

Source: TxDOT archive library
This bridge near the new Bergstrom-International Airport in southeast Austin was referred to as the Montopolis Bridge in the 1950s and 1960s.

Source: TxDOT archive library
These photos from 1960 are identified as Loop 295. It appears to be what is now 183 at SH71 (Ben White Blvd.) at the northwest corner of the new Austin airport in southeast Austin.

Source: Texas Highways Magazine

Austin City Streets

For a good collection of old photographs of Austin, Texas, (not road-related), see www.austinpostcard.com