Interstate 35

US 81 (predecessor of IH-35)

Undated, 1950’s Original 2-lane highway south of Austin (144 kB)

This is how it all started, with a modest 2-lane highway. This undated photo is identified as “south of Austin”. Undated, 1950’s Original 2-lane highway south of Round Rock (139 kB) (Added 25-May-2001)

The original 2-lane highway between Austin and Round Rock.

IH-35 through Austin, mostly before and during construction

IH35 at US290 (North Austin)



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.

Double Deck Freeway Construction

IH-35 at Riverside Drive



May 1957 Looking north from just south of Riverside (147 kB) 1970 Looking north at Riverside Drive (84 kB) Image contributed by Robert Miller of Austin. Thanks!

This view has some interesting features. The original Riverside overpass was still in place, and there were only two northbound lanes on IH-35. The feeder roads did not extend over Towne Lake.

IH-35 Construction, near Georgetown

Loop 360

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

Loop 1 (Mopac Boulevard) Photos

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)

December 7, 1984 Aerial view at 183 (1078k)

This view shows the area of the intersection with 183 before Loop 1 was constructed. 183 was still a six-lane highway at that time, and of course, the stack at 183 was not there. December 7, 1984 Aerial view at Loop 360 south (1027k)

This view shows the construction of Loop 1 south of Loop 360. The piers of the Barton Creek crossing were in place. 1989 Aerial view at US290/TX 71 (369k)

This view shows Loop 1 complete to US 290/TX 71. The feeder roads were under construction south of US 290.

TX71 / US 290 (Ben White Boulevard)

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

April 1977 Just east of Manchaca, looking west (146k)

This section of roadway is now an 8-lane freeway. At this location today, the freeway transitions from a trenched facility on the east to an elevated structure on the west. April 1977 View looking west (148k)

This view looks west from a point about a few hundred yards west of South First Street. This section of roadway is now a freeway. December 7, 1984 Aerial view at Loop 360 south (1027k)

This view shows the configuration of 290/71 before improvements began, including the cloverleaf at Loop 360/Lamar. December 7, 1984 Aerial view of the freeway near Oak Hill (607k)

This view shows the configuration of 290/71 west of Loop 1 before improvements began.

US 183 (Research Boulevard)

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

US 183 Colorado River Crossing

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.

183 (Bluestein Blvd.) and 71 (Ben White) Interchange

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.

RM 2222 – Bull Creek Road

Source: Texas Highways Magazine

August 1963 2222 east of Loop 360 (310 kB)

This article is about trash along Texas highways, but what is really interesting is the view of 2222. This view shows 2222 as a two-lane roadway on the grade just east of today’s Loop 360, near the County Line restaurant.

Austin City Streets

Undated, circa 1960 Lamar at Guadalupe (209 kB)

The roadway configuration remains the same today. A state office building was constructed where the stadium existed. A texasfreeway.com reader reports that this stadium was actually a rodeo arena, which was used by UT’s Silver Spurs organization for an annual rodeo. The reader also noticed that it looks much like the Travis County Sheriff’s Posse arena which now stands off US 183 south of town. (Perhaps the Silver Spurs arena was relocated?) The area to the right of the road fork remains vacant as of May 2001 and has been the source of unending controversy about development, but will probably be urbanized in the near future. 1959 Lamar railroad underpass, aerial view (299 kB)

The view shows the construction of the railroad underpass just north of Town Lake. November 1959 Lamar railroad underpass, ground view (208 kB)

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

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