U.S. Route 290

US Highway 290 marker

US Highway 290
Route information
Maintained by TxDOT
Length: 261 mi[1] (420 km)
Existed: 1927[1] – present
Major junctions
West end: I-10 southeast of Junction, TX
 

US 87 at Fredericksburg, TX
US 281 at Johnson City, TX
I-35 at Austin, TX
US 183 at Austin, TX

US 77 at Giddings, TX
East end: I-610 at Houston, TX
Highway system
SH 290SH 294
U.S. Highway 290 intersection with Interstate 610 in Houston

U.S. Highway 290 (or U.S. 290) is an eastwest U.S. Highway located entirely within the State of Texas. Its current western terminus is at Interstate 10 near Harper, and its eastern terminus is at Interstate 610 on the northwest side of Houston.[1]

Route description

Fredericksburg–Johnson City

West of Austin, U.S. 290 is a rather scenic route through the Texas Hill Country, passing through the towns of Fredericksburg and Johnson City, and hence close to the historical sites connected with Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, a top commander during the War in the Pacific (1941–45) and the deceased President from Texas, Lyndon Baines Johnson. East of Austin, U.S. 290 is a divided highway that passes through or near the towns of Giddings and Brenham.

Austin

In Austin, U.S. 290 runs concurrently with Interstate 35 for approximately 8 miles (13 km), including the Downtown Austin area, as well as the entirety of W. Ben White Boulevard. At various intervals, U.S. 290 intersects with SH 71, RM 1826, Mopac Expressway, Capital of Texas Highway, S Lamar Boulevard, S Congress Avenue, and along the concurrent I-35 strip, Sixth Street, Loop 111, and RM 2222, and U.S. 183, among other roads.

Houston

In Houston, U.S. 290 is sometimes called the Northwest Freeway. The Texas Legislature officially designated this highway within Harris County as the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway in 2005.[2] U.S. 290 is also part of a hurricane evacuation route. That route starts at SH 6 in Galveston. SH 6 is taken to U.S. 290. Then U.S. 290 is taken to where the two highways break apart. Then SH 6 is taken to Waco.

In Harris County outside of Houston, State Highway 6 (SH 6) joins with U.S. 290 and the two highways run concurrently until splitting just north of Hempstead.

The large remnant of U.S. 290 continues to be an important highway, one that connects Austin with Interstate 10, and from there eastward to Houston. Parts of U.S. 290 in Austin and near Houston are multilane freeways.

History

U.S. 290 originally had an eastern terminus in San Antonio before 1935 when it was re-routed further north and extended eastward. The old highway into San Antonio was redesignated US 87.[1][3]

Prior to the Interstate era, it extended nearly 300 miles (483 km) farther west to an intersection with US 80 (now Interstate 20) before Interstate 10 supplanted it. Much of the old route near Sheffield became SH 290. Other former alignments that are part of the state highway system include the Fort Stockton and Balmorhea business routes of Interstate 10 and RM 1312 between Ozona and Sonora.[4][5][6][7]

Prior to construction of the Northwest Freeway, U.S. 290 through Houston followed Hempstead Highway, which runs parallel to the freeway approximately one-half mile to the southwest. The eastern terminus of U.S. 290 was also approximately one mile to the southeast at the intersection of Hempstead Highway, Washington Avenue and Old Katy Road. There is a small directional T interchange at this intersection.

Because of truncations in its length, U.S. 290 no longer intersects with its "parent" route, U.S. 90.

Toll roads are planned along segments of U.S. 290 in Houston and Austin.

In 2011 two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, John Culberson and Michael T. McCaul, asked TxDOT to advocate for the relabeling of U.S. 290 as an interstate highway.[8]

Austin

290 Toll Road
Location: Austin, Texas

In Austin, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Manor Expressway along U.S. 290 from Austin to Manor, opened on May 17, 2014. The Manor Expressway is signed as the 290 Toll Road.[9]

Houston

Prior to construction of the Northwest Freeway, U.S. 290 through Houston followed Hempstead Highway, which runs parallel to the freeway approximately one-half mile to the southwest. The eastern terminus of U.S. 290 was also approximately one mile to the southeast at the intersection of Hempstead Highway, Washington Avenue and Old Katy Road. There is a small directional T interchange at this intersection.

The interchange with I-610 and first part of frontage roads opened in 1963. The first freeway section opened in 1975. In 1982, freeway main lanes completed to just inside Beltway 8. In 1990, the stack interchange with Beltway 8 were completed. From 1985 to 2005, the main lanes outside Beltway 8 were completed.[10]

The freeway was constructed to only 3 lanes in each direction, but a major investment study in 2002 requested expansion to 5 lanes in each direction inside Beltway 8 and 4 lanes in each direction from Beltway 8 to the proposed Grand Parkway. It also recommended to build a new tollway along Hempstead Highway.[10]

In Houston, the Harris County Toll Road Authority is planning to construct toll managed lanes along and adjacent to the U.S. 290 right-of-way, to be called the Hempstead Tollway.[11]

Business routes

US 290 has three business routes.

Brenham


Business US Highway 290
Location: Brenham, Texas
Length: 4.59 mi[12] (7.39 km)

Business U.S. Route 290-F is the original routing of US 290 through the town of Brenham. The route is 4.59 miles (7.39 km) in length. It was established in 1990 when the mainline of US 290 was rerouted along with SH 36 around the western and southern sides of Brenham.[12] The routing begins to the west of town at an intersection with SH 36. The business route continues east into downtown on Main Street. Before reaching downtown, the route splits into two parallel one-way streets: Main Street carrying westbound traffic and Alamo Street carrying eastbound traffic. It passes through downtown, meeting the business routing of State Highway 36 and the western terminus of SH 105. At this intersection, the business route turns south on Market Street, and continues out of Brenham, rejoining the mainline US 290 near an intersection with FM 577.[13][14]

Hempstead–Hockley


Business US Highway 290
Location: HempsteadHockley, Texas

Business U.S. Route 290-H is the original routing of US 290 through the towns of Hempstead, Waller, and Hockley.[15] This route was designated between 1995 and 1998 in stages as a limited-access bypass route was constructed to the north of these towns.[16]

Cypress


Business US Highway 290
Location: Cypress, Texas

Business U.S. Route 290-L is the original routing of US 290 through the town of Cypress.[17] The route was designated in 1993 as a limited-access bypass was built to the northeast of the original routing.[18]

Major intersections

The entire route is in Texas. All exits are unnumbered.

CountyLocationmikmDestinationsNotes
Kimble I-10 San Antonio, JunctionWestern terminus; I-10 exit 477
RM 479 to I-10 / FM 2169
RM 385 north to US 377
GillespieHarper RM 783 south KerrvilleWest end of RM 783 overlap
RM 783 north / FM 2093 east DossEast end of RM 783 overlap
Fredericksburg US 87 north MasonWest end of US 87 overlap
RM 965 north (Milam Street) Enchanted Rock, Cross Mountain
SH 16 south (Adams Street) KerrvilleWest end of SH 16 overlap
SH 16 north (Llano Street) LlanoEast end of SH 16 overlap
US 87 south San AntonioEast end of US 87 overlap
RM 1631 east (Olive Street) Cave Creek
RM 1376 south Boerne
Stonewall RM 1 east
RM 1623 northWest end of RM 1623 overlap
RM 1623 south Albert, BlancoEast end of RM 1623 overlap
PR 52 north – Lyndon B. Johnson State & National Historic Park
Blanco RM 1 west
RM 1320 north – Sandy
Johnson City Spur 356 north (Nugent Avenue)
US 281 north Marble Falls, BurnetWest end of US 281 overlap
RM 2766 east Pedernales Falls State Park
US 281 south San AntonioEast end of US 281 overlap
RM 3232 north Pedernales Falls State Park
HaysHenly RM 165 west Blanco
Dripping Springs RM 12 Wimberley, San Marcos
TravisAustin RM 1826 south Driftwood
SH 71 west Lake Travis, LlanoWest end of SH 71 overlap
Old Fredericksburg RoadInterchange; west end of freeway; no direct westbound exit
Monterey Oaks Boulevard / Industrial Oaks Boulevard
Loop 1 / Brodie Lane / Southwest Parkway
West Gate BoulevardNo direct westbound exit (signed at Loop 343)
Loop 343 (Lamar Boulevard) / Loop 360 (Capital of Texas Highway)
Manchaca Road / Pack Saddle Pass / Victory DriveNo direct eastbound exit (signed at Loop 343)
South First Street / Banister LaneAccess to South Austin Medical Center
Loop 275 (South Congress Avenue)Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
I-35 south / SH 71 east Bastrop, San Antonio, AirportEast end of SH 71 overlap; west end of I-35 overlap; US 290 west follows exit 230
Woodward Street / Ben White BoulevardWestbound exit and eastbound entrance; I-35 exit 231
see I-35
51st Street / Cameron RoadEastbound exit and westbound entrance; I-35 exit 237B
I-35 north / RM 2222 west (via Spur 69) WacoEast end of I-35 overlap; US 290 east follows exit 238B
Berkman Drive / Cameron Road
US 183 Lampasas, Lockhart, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
290 Toll Road east / Tuscany Way / Springdale Road HoustonEast end of freeway; west end of 290 Toll Rd.
290 Toll Road / Arterial AAccess point
290 Toll Road / Giles Lane / Johnny Morris RoadAccess point
290 Toll Road / Harris Branch ParkwayAccess point
SH 45 Toll / SH 130 Toll / 290 Toll Road Waco, San AntonioSH 130 exit 437
FM 734 west (Parmer Lane) / Old Highway 20
Manor 290 Toll Road west AustinEast end of 290 Toll Rd.
Loop 212 (West Murray Avenue)
FM 973 / Loop 212 Taylor, Manor
FM 1100 east Kimbro
BastropElgin SH 95 north Coupland, TaylorWest end of SH 95 overlap
Loop 109 north to FM 1704 – Historical District
SH 95 south BastropEast end of SH 95 overlap
FM 696 east Lexington
McDade Loop 223 (Waco Street) McDade
Loop 223 south (Columbus Street) / FM 2336 McDade, Swiftex
SH 21 Bryan, BastropInterchange
Paige Spur 186 (Gonzales Street)
FM 2104 south Serbin, Smithville
LeeGiddings US 77
FM 141 north (Orange Street) Dime Box
FM 180 north – Nails Creek State Park
FayetteLedbetter FM 1291 south Fayetteville
Carmine Spur 458 south Round Top
Washington SH 237 south Roundtop, La GrangeInterchange
FM 2502 south Greenvine
Burton FM 390 east Burton
Spur 125 west Burton, Cotton Gin Museum
FM 1948 north
FM 2679 north – Zionsville
Brenham
Bus. US 290 east / SH 36 north Brenham, Somerville
interchange; west end of SH 36 overlap; west end of freeway
Old Mill Creek Road
FM 389 Blinn College, Industrial Park
Lubbock Street / Industrial Boulevardwestbound exit and eastbound entrance

SH 36 south / Bus. SH 36 north Bellville
East end of SH 36 overlap

Bus. US 290 west / FM 577
interchange; east end of freeway
FM 2447 east
FM 1371 south
FM 1155 Washington
FM 1371 south
Waller FM 1736 east
Hempstead SH 6 north (US 290 Bus. east) College Station, Bryan, Hempsteadinterchange; west end of SH 6 overlap; west end of freeway
FM 1488 Hempstead, Magnolia
FM 359 Brookshireno direct eastbound exit (signed at FM 1488)
Prairie ViewLiendo Parkway
FM 1098 Prairie View
James Muse Parkway
FM 362
HarrisWallerFields Store RoadNo eastbound exit (closed until February 2017)
FM 2920 Waller, Tomball, Klein, SpringNo eastbound entrance (closed until February 2017)
Binford RoadNo eastbound exit (closed until February 2017)
HockleyKickapoo RoadNo eastbound entrance (closed until February 2017)
Kermier RoadNo eastbound exit (closed until February 2017)
Hegar Road (US 290 Bus. west)No eastbound entrance (closed until February 2017)
Badtke RoadNo eastbound exit (closed until February 2017)
Roberts Road / Katy Hockley Road
Becker RoadNo eastbound exit (closed until December 2016)
Bauer Road
SH 99 Toll (Grand Parkway)
CypressFairfield Place DriveWestbound access only
Mason Road
Mueschke Road
Cypress-Rosehill Road / Fry Road / Spring-Cypress RoadNo direct eastbound exit (signed at Mueschke Road)
Skinner Road / Spring-Cypress Road
Barker-Cypress Road
Telge Road
Hempstead Road / Huffmeister RoadAccess to North Cypress Medical Center; Hempstead Rd. not signed westbound
Jersey Village SH 6 south / FM 1960 eastEast end of SH 6 overlap, access to Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center
Eldridge Road / West Road
290 Express LaneWest end of reversible HOV/toll lane; only access point between US 290 and the Express Lane
NW Station Park & RideWestbound right exit and eastbound entrance for 290 Express Lane
Jones Road
FM 529 / Senate Avenue
Sam Houston Tollway
Houston Beltway 8 (Frontage Road) / West Little York Road / North Gessner Road
West Little York Park & RideInterchange for 290 Express Lane
Fairbanks-North Houston Road
West Tidwell Road / Hollister RoadNo westbound exit (closed until December 2016)
Pinemont Drive / Bingle Road / West 43rd StreetNo westbound exit (closed until December 2016)
Antoine Drive / West 34th StreetNo entrance ramps (westbound entrance closed until December 2016)
I-10 San Antonio, DowntownI-10 exit 763; I-610 exit 11; eastbound exit only.
Mangum Road / Dacoma StreetNo eastbound entrance
I-10 east / Hempstead Road / Katy Road – NW Transit Center, DowntownEastbound exit for 290 Express Lane; east end of HOV/toll lanes at I-10, exit 763.
I-610Eastern terminus; I-610 west exit 13A, north exit 13B
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "U.S. Highway No. 290". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  2. "Bill: HB 540 Legislative Session: 79(R)." Texas Legislature. Retrieved on February 12, 2009.
  3. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "U.S. Highway No. 87". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  4. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "State Highway No. 290". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  5. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "Business Interstate Highway No. 10-F". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  6. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "Business Interstate Highway No. 10-G". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  7. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "Ranch to Market Road No. 1312". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  8. Foster, Robin. "Officials favoring upgrade by TXDOT." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday September 20, 2011. Retrieved on October 1, 2011.
  9. "290 East Manor Expressway Toll Road". CTRMA. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  10. 1 2 Houston Freeways
  11. "Hempstead/US 290 Managed Lanes". HCTRA. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  12. 1 2 Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "Business U.S. Highway No. 290-F". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  13. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (2014). Texas County Map Book (PDF) (Map) (2014 ed.). 1:120,000. Texas Department of Transportation. p. 452. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  14. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (2014). Texas County Map Book (PDF) (Map) (2014 ed.). 1:120,000. Texas Department of Transportation. p. 453. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  15. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (2014). Texas County Map Book (PDF) (Map) (2014 ed.). 1:120,000. Texas Department of Transportation. p. 475. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  16. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "Business U.S. Highway No. 290-H". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  17. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (2014). Texas County Map Book (PDF) (Map) (2014 ed.). 1:120,000. Texas Department of Transportation. p. 496. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  18. Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "Business U.S. Highway No. 290-L". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
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