State Highway 16 (SH 16) is a 541.823-mile (871.980 km) south–north state highway in Texas, United States. that runs from Zapata on the boundary with Mexico to U.S. Highway 281 24 miles (39 km) south of Wichita Falls. It is the longest state highway in Texas, but is only the ninth-longest of any highway classification in the state.[2]

State Highway 16 marker
State Highway 16
Map
Route information
Maintained by TxDOT
Length541.823 mi[1] (871.980 km)
Existedby 1926–present
Major junctions
South end
Future I-2 / US 83 in Zapata
Major intersections
North end US 281 south of Wichita Falls
Location
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
Highway system
PR 15 Spur 16
SH 345SH 346 SH 347

Route description

edit
 
SH 16 in Duval County, April 2016

SH 16 begins at an intersection at US 83 in Zapata. The route continues through south Texas ranchlands, then to the north through San Antonio's far south side. The routes enters San Antonio from the southeast, and goes around the west side of the city concurrent with Interstate 410. The route veers to the northwest as it passes through Bandera, Kerrville, and Fredericksburg, and then reaches the Texas Hill Country. After passing through the cities of Comanche and Llano, it continues north through ranchland and farms. Its next intersection is with I-20 south of the town of Strawn. It continues to the northwest, wrapping around the northern and eastern sides of Possum Kingdom Lake. It reaches an intersection with US 380 in the town of Graham. In North Texas, the highway reaches its northern terminus between Antelope and Windthorst, almost 542 miles from its starting point.

History

edit

SH 16 was one of the original twenty five state highways proposed on June 21, 1917, overlaid on top of the Fort Worth-Oklahoma Highway.[3] From 1917 the routing mostly followed present day Interstate 35W from Fort Worth to Denton. It continued on, routed along present day Interstate 35 from Fort Worth through to Oklahoma. A spur, SH 16A, went from Denton to Dallas. On March 18, 1919, the route and SH 16A were cancelled, as both routes became part of SH 40.[4]

SH 16 was then reassigned to the future route of U.S. Highway 181 (which was routed over it in 1926) from San Antonio to Corpus Christi on August 21, 1923. SH 16 then went west on SH 44 to Robstown, south on U.S. Highway 77, and west on SH 285. This route replaced portions of SH 9 and SH 12.[5] On January 20, 1930, SH 16 Spur was created in Sinton.[6] SH 16 was extended on January 19, 1932, following SH 9 to Brady, replaced SH 107 to Santa Anna, following SH 7, SH 4, SH 30, and SH 18 to Sagerton, then replaced SH 51 to the Oklahoma state line. On February 10, 1937, the southern section of SH 16 was rerouted northwest and northeast to Fredericksburg, replacing part of SH 81.[7]

On September 26, 1939, the section from Brady to Santa Anna was promptly reassigned to U.S. Highway 183. The section from San Antonio to Corpus Christi, which was cosigned with US 181, was cancelled. The section from Corpus Christi to Robstown was transferred to rerouted SH 44, south of Robstown to rerouted SH 96 (now US 77), and from there to Falfurrias became an extension of SH 285. The section from Sagerton to the Oklahoma state line was renumbered as SH 283 (this section was originally planned to stay as SH 16, while the section from San Antonio to Fredericksburg was planned to become an extension of SH 81 instead). The sections cosigned with other state highways had their co-designation of SH 16 removed. SH 16 was rerouted north to south of Graham, replacing SH 81 and part of SH 120, and rerouted south to US 281 south of San Antonio, replacing part of SH 9 (this was originally proposed as SH 287). SH 16 Spur was renumbered Spur 72.

On August 31, 1965, the road was significantly extended via its current routing to Zapata, replacing State Highway 346 from San Antonio to Jourdanton, and also replaced portions of SH 173 and FM 496. On November 16, 1965, it was rerouted over Interstate 410 in San Antonio.[8] On January 31, 1969, SH 16 was extended north to US 281, replacing portions of SH 254 and FM 61.

The section of SH 16 from Loop 1604 to Eckhert Road (former FM 1517) was proposed for decommissioning in 2014 as part of TxDOT's San Antonio turnback proposal, which would have turned back over 129 miles of roads to the city of San Antonio. SH 16 would have been rerouted over Loop 1604, and Spur 421 and Spur 422 would have been extended over old SH 16. However, the city rejected the proposal.[9]

Future

edit

The section of SH 16 between Loop 1604 and Triana Parkway in Helotes is in the process of being upgraded into a superstreet.[10] The main focus of the project includes reconstructing the intersections at Loop 1604 and FM 1560 / Circle A Trail.[11][12] Construction at the Loop 1604 intersection is projected to be finished sometime in 2019.[13]

Major intersections

edit
CountyLocationmikmDestinationsNotes
ZapataZapata0.00.0  
 
US 83 / FM 496 west – Rio Grande City, Laredo
Southern terminus
Jim Hogg26.041.8 
 
FM 649 north – Mirando City
South end of FM 649 overlap
Randado28.545.9 
 
FM 649 south – Rio Grande City
North end of FM 649 overlap
South Fork Estates49.078.9 
 
FM 3073 west
Hebbronville51.182.2 
 
SH 285 east – Falfurrias
51.582.9 
 
SH 359 east (Galbraith Street) – San Diego
South end of SH 359 overlap
51.983.5 
 
SH 359 west (Viggie Street) – Laredo
North end of SH 359 overlap
Duval70.3113.1 
 
  FM 2295 east / FM 310 – Benavides
88.3142.1 
 
SH 339 south – Benavides
Freer92.0148.1   US 59 (Future I-69W) / SH 44 – Laredo, San Diego, George WestU.S. 59 is the future Interstate 69W
101.4163.2 
 
 
 
FM 2359 east to US 59 (Future I-69W)
McMullen109.8176.7  FM 624 – Cotulla, Orange Grove
117.2188.6 
 
FM 1962 east
Tilden133.0214.0 
 
SH 72 east – Three Rivers, Choke Canyon State Park
South end of SH 72 overlap
133.7215.2 
 
SH 72 west – Fowlerton
North end of SH 72 overlap
135.8218.5 
 
FM 3445 east – James E. Daughtrey Wildlife Management Area
144.3232.2 
 
FM 791 east – Campbellton
Atascosa153.7247.4 
 
FM 3387 east
155.8250.7  FM 140 – Charlotte, Christine
Jourdanton163.9263.8 
 
FM 1332 west
164.8265.2  SH 97 – Charlotte, Pleasanton
166.2267.5 
 
 
 
Spur 162 west to SH 97
166.4267.8 
 
SH 173 north – Devine
168.1270.5 
 
FM 3350 east – Pleasanton, Pleasanton Municipal Airport
Poteet172.8278.1 
 
Loop 282 north – Poteet
174.3280.5 
 
 
 
Loop 282 south / FM 476 east – Poteet
South end of FM 476 overlap
174.4280.7 
 
FM 476 west – Rossville
North end of FM 476 overlap
BexarSan Antonio187.3301.4  Loop 1604 (Anderson Loop) – Somerset, Elmendorfinterchange
190.1305.9Watson Road / Lone Star Pass - Toyota Plantformer Spur 66 east
193.7311.7 
 
 
 
 
 
I-410 east / SH 130 north / Spur 422 north (Palo Alto Road) – Palo Alto College
South end of I-410 / SH 130 overlap; SH 16 south follows exit 49
see I-410
209.7337.5 
 
 
 
I-410 east / Spur 421 south (Bandera Road) / Evers Road – San Antonio
Interchange; north end of I-410 overlap; SH 16 north follows exit 13
Leon Valley210.7339.1Wurzbach Road
211.8340.9 
 
Spur 471 west (Grissom Road)
former FM 471 south
San Antonio212.8342.5Eckhert Roadformer FM 1517 east
216.8348.9  
 
 
 
Loop 1604 (Anderson Loop) to I-10 / FM 471 – University of Texas at San Antonio
interchange
Helotes217.8350.5 
 
FM 1560 north (Hausman Road)
South end of FM 1560 overlap
218.3351.3 
 
FM 1560 south
North end of FM 1560 overlap
226.9365.2 
 
 
 
SH 211 south to FM 471
Medina228.9368.4 
 
PR 37 west – Medina Lake
Bandera236.5380.6 
 
SH 46 east – Boerne
Pipe Creek239.4385.3 
 
 
 
FM 1283 south to PR 37 – Medina Lake
Bandera248.4399.8 
 
SH 173 south – Hondo, Hill Country State Natural Area
South end of SH 173 overlap
248.9400.6 
 
SH 173 north – truck route to Kerrville
North end of SH 173 overlap
251.2404.3 
 
FM 470 west – Tarpley, Utopia
259.5417.6 
 
 
 
RM 2828 east to SH 173 – Kerrville
Medina262.1421.8 
 
RM 337 west – Vander Pool
265.5427.3 
 
FM 2107 west
Kerr277.5446.6 
 
FM 1273 west (Upper Turtle Creek Road)
278.7448.5 
 
 
 
FM 2771 east (Lower Turtle Creek Road / truck route) to SH 173
Kerrville284.6458.0 
 
 
 
SH 173 south to Loop 534 – truck route to Bandera, Kerrville-Schreiner Regional Park
285.4459.3 
 
  Loop 98 west (Thompson Drive South)
Access to Peterson Regional Medical Center
285.7459.8  SH 27 (Main Street) – Ingram, Schreiner University, Center Point
286.5461.1 
 
FM 1341 east (Golf Avenue)
287.7463.0  
 
  Loop 534 (Veterans Highway) to SH 173 – Kerrville-Schreiner Regional Park, Airport
288.1463.7  I-10 – Junction, San AntonioI-10 exit 508
GillespieFredericksburg307.9495.5 
 
FM 2093 west
310.1499.1 
 
 
 
US 87 north / US 290 west (Main Street) – Mason, Junction
South end of US 87 / US 290 overlap
310.2499.2 
 
 
 
US 87 south / US 290 east (Main Street) – San Antonio, Austin
North end of US 87 / US 290 overlap
Eckert323.3520.3 
 
RM 1323 east – Willow City
Llano333.2536.2 
 
RM 965 south – Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Llano346.9558.3 
 
RM 2323 south – Prairie Mountain
347.0558.4 
 
SH 71 east – Austin
South end of SH 71 overlap
347.9559.9 
 
RM 152 west (Main Street) – Castell
348.5560.9  
 
SH 29 / SH 71 west (Young Street) – Mason, Brady, Burnet
North end of SH 71 overlap
San SabaCherokee365.1587.6 
 
RM 501 east – Bend
South end of RM 501 overlap
365.2587.7 
 
RM 501 west – Pontotoc
North end of RM 501 overlap
San Saba380.8612.8  US 190 – Brady, Lampasas
382.0614.8 
 
FM 1480 east – Pecan Grove
382.8616.1 
 
FM 500 west – Regency Bridge
Mills400.6644.7  FM 3023
Goldthwaite402.1647.1 
 
US 183 south – Lampasas, Austin
south end of US 183 overlap
402.4647.6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loop 15 east to US 84 east / FM 572 – Waco
402.8648.2 
 
FM 574 west
403.9650.0 
 
US 84 east – Evant, Gatesville, Waco
south end of US 84 overlap
Durenville405.1651.9 
 
 
 
US 84 west / US 183 north – Brownwood
north end of US 84 / US 183 overlap
418.1672.9 
 
FM 218 west – Zephyr
south end of FM 218 overlap
Priddy419.6675.3 
 
FM 218 east – Pottsville, Hamilton
north end of FM 218 overlap
Comanche425.9685.4 
 
FM 1476 north – Newburg
433.6697.8 
 
FM 3200 south
Comanche435.6701.0 
 
FM 590 south – Zephyr
436.3702.2    US 67 / US 377 / SH 36
436.9703.1 
 
FM 2247 north (West Wrights Avenue)
437.8704.6 
 
FM 3381 east
441.6710.7 
 
FM 2861 east
Downing445.8717.4 
 
FM 2318 east
south end of FM 2318 overlap
446.2718.1 
 
FM 2318 west
north end of FM 2318 overlap
De Leon451.8727.1 
 
FM 587 west (West Sipe Springs Road)
452.8728.7 
 
SH 6 east (East Navarro Street) – Dublin
south end of SH 6 overlap
453.5729.8 
 
SH 6 west – Gorman
north end of SH 6 overlap
454.2731.0 
 
FM 2921 west
460.2740.6 
 
FM 2156 east – Victor
EastlandDesdemona464.4747.4  FM 8 – Gorman, Eastland, Stephenville
480.6773.5  I-20 – Abilene, Fort WorthI-20 exit 361
Palo PintoStrawn484.2779.2 
 
FM 2372 west / Davidson Cemetery Road
484.5779.7 
 
SH 108 south – Mingus
485.4781.2 
 
FM 207 west – Necessity
Metcalf Gap496.3798.7 
 
US 180 east – Palo Pinto, Mineral Wells
south end of US 180 overlap
Brad501.1806.4 
 
US 180 west – Breckenridge, Possum Kingdom State Park
north end of US 180 overlap
512.4824.6 
 
FM 2353 north – Possum Kingdom Lake, Camp Constantin, Camp Grady Spruce, B.R.A. Lake Office
514.7828.3 
 
PR 36 west – Possum Kingdom Lake, Camp Constantin
516.6831.4 
 
SH 254 east – Graford
518.5834.4 
 
FM 2353 south – Possum Kingdom Lake, B.R.A. Lake Office
523.2842.0 
 
Loop 533 north
523.4842.3 
 
SH 337 south – Graford, Mineral Wells
524.3843.8 
 
Loop 533 south
Young526.3847.0 
 
FM 1191 north
Graham535.8862.3 
 
FM 1287 south – Ivan
538.7867.0 
 
 
 
US 380 east / SH 67 south – Fort Belknap
south end of US 380 overlap
538.8867.1 
 
US 380 west – Throckmorton
north end of US 380 overlap
539.8868.7 
 
FM 2652 north
540.1869.2 
 
FM 3491 south
544.4876.1 
 
FM 2075 east
Loving550.8886.4  SH 114 – Olney, Jacksboro
Markley558.6899.0 
 
FM 1769 south
Archer567.5913.3  US 281 – Wichita Falls, JacksboroNorthern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

edit


References

edit
  1. ^ Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "State Highway No. 16". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  2. ^ "State Highway, Loop and Spur Facts". Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  3. ^ "Minutes of the 10th regular meeting of the State Highway Department" (PDF). Texas State Highway Commission. June 21, 1917.
  4. ^ "Minutes of the 22nd regular meeting of the State Highway Commission" (PDF). Texas State Highway Commission. March 18, 1919.
  5. ^ "Minutes of the 73rd regular meeting of the State Highway Commission" (PDF). Texas State Highway Commission. August 21, 1923.
  6. ^ "Minutes of the 141st regular meeting of the State Highway Commission" (PDF). Texas State Highway Commission. January 20, 1930.
  7. ^ "Minutes of the 226th regular meeting of the State Highway Commission" (PDF). Texas State Highway Commission. February 10, 1937.
  8. ^ Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "State Highway No. 346". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  9. ^ Davila, Vianna (November 20, 2013). "City officials say no to TxDOT turnback program". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved August 10, 2020 – via MySA.com.
  10. ^ "FM 1560 and SH 16". Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  11. ^ "Open House - Proposed Improvements to SH 16 at Loop 1604". Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  12. ^ "F.M. 1560 Intersection Realignment Project". City of Helotes. March 27, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  13. ^ Thorpe, JeriLynn (August 4, 2017). "$7.6 million project expected to cut down on far NW Side intersection traffic delays by 75 percent". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
edit

  Media related to Texas State Highway 16 at Wikimedia Commons