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Interstate 69 in Texas

An in-depth analysis of a critical infrastructure project shaping the Lone Star State's connectivity.

Project Overview 👇 Route Details 🗺️

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Project Overview

Strategic Corridor

Interstate 69 (I-69) in Texas represents a significant, ongoing initiative to establish a major north-south transportation artery across the eastern and southern portions of the state. As part of a larger extension project, often referred to as the "NAFTA Superhighway," I-69 is designed to enhance connectivity between Canada, the United States, and Mexico, facilitating international trade and regional economic development.

Economic Impact

The development of I-69 is projected to yield substantial economic benefits by improving freight movement efficiency, reducing transportation costs, and creating jobs. Its strategic alignment aims to link key population centers and industrial hubs, thereby boosting commerce and accessibility throughout the designated corridor.

Phased Development

The construction and designation of I-69 in Texas is a complex, multi-phase undertaking. It involves upgrading existing highway corridors, such as U.S. Routes 59, 77, and 281, to meet Interstate standards. This process includes the construction of interchanges, widening of roadways, and the addition of frontage roads, reflecting a commitment to long-term infrastructure enhancement.

Route Description

Mainline and Branches

The mainline I-69 in Texas is planned to extend from Tenaha in the east, traversing through the Texas Gulf Coast region to Victoria. South of Victoria, the route is designated to split into three distinct branches: I-69E, I-69C, and I-69W, extending the network towards the Mexican border.

  • I-69E: Follows the U.S. Route 77 corridor towards Brownsville.
  • I-69C: Follows the U.S. Route 281 corridor towards Pharr.
  • I-69W: Follows the U.S. Route 59 corridor towards Laredo.

Houston Metropolitan Area

Within the Greater Houston area, I-69 largely utilizes the existing U.S. Route 59 corridor. It encompasses segments such as the Southwest Freeway and the Eastex Freeway, connecting major urban centers and facilitating intra-city and regional travel. The route integrates with critical infrastructure like Interstate 610 and the Sam Houston Tollway.

Connectivity

The completed I-69 network in Texas will provide crucial linkages to other major Interstate highways, including I-10 and I-45, as well as significant U.S. Routes. This integrated system is vital for efficient freight distribution and passenger mobility across the state and beyond.

Historical Context

Legislative Foundation

The designation of I-69 and its branches in Texas stems from federal legislation that recognized the strategic importance of this corridor. While the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) initially had reservations about suffixed Interstate designations, policy adjustments and legislative mandates ultimately led to the approval of these routes.

Development Milestones

The project's progression has involved numerous planning stages, environmental studies, and public-private partnership considerations, including aspects of the former Trans-Texas Corridor initiative. TxDOT has actively pursued the designation of existing Interstate-standard sections of highways as I-69, aiming for timely implementation where feasible.

Key milestones include:

  • Initial federal legislation designating the I-69 corridor and its branches.
  • AASHTO's conditional approval of I-69E, I-69C, and I-69W designations, pending FHWA concurrence.
  • FHWA approval for various segments of U.S. Routes 59 and 77 to be signed as I-69, beginning in the early 2010s.
  • Unveiling of I-69 signage on completed sections, such as the Robstown-Corpus Christi segment in 2011.
  • Subsequent resignations and approvals for segments within the Houston metropolitan area and along the Gulf Coast.

Ongoing & Future Improvements

Infrastructure Upgrades

Texas continues to advance the I-69 initiative through the systematic upgrading of existing roadways to meet Interstate standards. This involves converting at-grade intersections to grade-separated interchanges, widening two-lane sections to four lanes, and constructing new alignments or bypasses around key municipalities.

Project Status and Challenges

While significant progress has been made, the complete realization of I-69 across Texas is a long-term endeavor. Funding remains a critical factor, influencing project timelines. Delays have been encountered due to factors such as weather events and global supply chain disruptions, impacting the completion schedules for various segments.

Notable ongoing and planned improvements include:

  • Construction of bypasses in areas like Nacogdoches, Diboll, and Corrigan, with phased completion dates extending into the late 2020s.
  • Reconfiguration of major interchanges, such as the US 59 and US 259 interchange north of Nacogdoches.
  • Upgrades to segments in Liberty and Montgomery counties, including new interchanges and access points.
  • The extension of the I-69 designation to Cleveland and south towards Victoria, with projects in various stages of planning and construction.

Exit List

The following table details the current and planned exits along the designated segments of Interstate 69 in Texas. Note that many sections are still under construction or awaiting final designation, as indicated.

Key Junctions and Access Points

This comprehensive list outlines the major interchanges and access points along the I-69 corridor in Texas, providing critical details for navigation and planning. It includes information on county, location, mileage, exit numbers, destinations, and specific notes regarding the status of construction or designation.

County Location mi km Exit Destinations Notes
Gap in route
Wharton Louise 51
US 59 south – Victoria
I-69 will continue south along US 59 to Victoria
52 FM 647
54 FM 1160
Hillje 57 FM 441
58 CR 357
El Campo 59 CR 355
60 FM 1163
61 SH 71 – El Campo, Palacios
62 FM 1162
64 FM 960
Pierce 66 Loop 526 – Pierce
68 County Road 357
Wharton 70 FM 961 – Wharton, Eagle Lake
71 Pump Station Road No northbound exit
72 FM 102 – Wharton, Eagle Lake
75
Bus. US 59-R / SH 60 – Wharton, Bay City
Partially completed; to be southbound exit only and northbound entrance only; under reconstruction
Hungerford 77 FM 1161 – Spanish Camp Partially completed; redesign interchange; under reconstruction
79
Bus. US 59-R – Hungerford
Under construction
Fort Bend Kendleton 0.0 0.0 83 FM 2919 – Kendleton Awaiting approval for I-69 designation.
0.0 0.0 84 Loop 541 – Kendleton Closed; replaced by Loop 541 interchange
0.0 0.0 86 Loop 541 (Doris Road) – Kendleton Awaiting approval for I-69 designation
Beasley 0.0 0.0 89 FM 360 / Loop 540 – Needville Awaiting approval for I-69 designation
0.0 0.0 90 Isleib Road Awaiting approval for I-69 designation
0.0 0.0 92 Loop 540 – Beasley Southbound exit only; awaiting approval for I-69 designation
Rosenberg 0.0 0.0 93 Spur 10 (Patton Road, Hartledge Road) Awaiting approval for I-69 designation.
0.0 0.0 94

US 59 south / Spur 529 north – Victoria/Cottonwood Church Rd/Kroesche Rd
Current southern terminus of I-69; US 59 continues south; southbound exit signed for Spur 10
0.0 0.0 95 Spur 529/Kroesche Rd Southbound access only
2.3 3.7 96 Bamore Road Northbound exit is via exit 97
2.9 4.7 97 SH 36 – Rosenberg, Needville
4.9 7.9 99 FM 2218 (B.F. Terry Boulevard) – Richmond
6.2 10.0 100 Reading Road
10.4 16.7 104

SH 99 north (Frontage Road) / FM 2759 south (Crabb River Road)
To Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital; signed as exit 105 southbound
11.8 19.0 105 Brazos River Turnaround Signed as exit 106 southbound; southbound turnaround closed permanently since 2016 due to flooding from May 2016 North American storm complex
13.3 21.4 107 University Boulevard
14.3 23.0 108 First Colony Boulevard / Sweetwater Boulevard To St. Luke's Sugar Land Hospital
15.3 24.6 109 SH 6 – Sugarland Airport Former FM 1960
16.1 25.9 110 Sugar Lakes Drive / Williams Trace Boulevard To Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital
17.3 27.8 111 Chimney Rock Road / Sage Road / South Rice Avenue
18.0 29.0 112
US 90 Alt. – Sugar Land, Stafford
Fort Bend–Harris County
county line
Stafford 19.0 30.6 113 Kirkwood Road / Murphy Road (FM 1092 south) / West Bellfort Avenue Signed as exit 114 southbound
Harris Houston 20.4 32.8 114 Wilcrest Drive / Murphy Road (FM 1092 south) / West Bellfort Avenue Signed as exit 115A southbound
21.1 34.0 115 Sam Houston Tollway Signed as exit 115B southbound
21.5 34.6 115C Beltway 8 (Frontage Road) No direct northbound exit (signed at exit 114)
22.5 36.2 117 Bissonnet Street
23.6–
23.9
38.0–
38.5
118 South Gessner Road / Beechnut Street To Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
24.7–
25.1
39.8–
40.4
119 Fondren Road / Bellaire Boulevard
26.3 42.3 121A Westpark Drive
27.1 43.6 121B
Westpark Tollway east
Northbound access to eastbound tollway, southbound access to westbound tollway only
27.3 43.9 121C Westpark Drive No direct northbound exit (signed at exit 121A); no access to or from HOV lane (access is via Edloe Street)
27.5 44.3 122B Fountainview Drive Southbound exit and northbound entrance
27.9 44.9 122A Chimney Rock Road / Sage Road / South Rice Avenue
28.9 46.5 123 I-610 (West Loop Freeway) – IAH Airport, Hobby Airport I-610 exits 8A-B; redesigned stack interchange
29.5 47.5 124 Newcastle Drive No direct northbound exit (signed at exit 125A)
30.1 48.4 125A Weslayan Road
30.6 49.2 125B Edloe Street – Downtown Houston Northbound and southbound are signed differently
31.5 50.7 126A Kirby Drive
31.8–
32.0
51.2–
51.5
126B Greenbriar Drive / Shepherd Drive
33.3 53.6 127B Richmond Avenue – Downtown Houston Via Louisiana Street (Spur 527); northbound left exit and southbound entrance
33.5 53.9 127A Main Street Northbound exit and southbound entrance; to Texas Medical Center
33.6 54.1 128A Fannin Street Southbound exit and northbound entrance; to St. Joseph Medical Center
34.3 55.2 128B

SH 288 south (South Freeway) to SH 288 Toll (Brazoria County Expressway) – Lake Jackson, Freeport
34.9 56.2 129A McGowen Avenue / Tuam Avenue Southbound exit only (northbound entrance closed until November 2025); to St. Joseph Medical Center
35.2 56.6 129B Gray Avenue / Pierce Avenue – Downtown Houston Northbound exit and southbound entrance; to St. Joseph Medical Center
35.3 56.8 129A I-45 (Gulf Freeway) – Dallas, Galveston I-45 exit 46; to George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport; signed as exit 129B southbound
35.7 57.5 130 Polk Street – Downtown Destinations Northbound exit only
Texas Avenue; Capitol Avenue Closed; was southbound exit and northbound entrance
Runnels Street, Canal Street Closed; was southbound exit and northbound entrance
36.9 59.4 131 Jackson Street – Downtown Destinations Southbound exit and northbound entrance
37.4 60.2 132 I-10 (Baytown East Freeway & US 90) – San Antonio, Beaumont I-10 exit 770
37.8–
38.5
60.8–
62.0
132B Lyons Avenue / Quitman Street / Liberty Road Signed as exit 133A southbound
39.2 63.1 133B Collingsworth Street / Kelley Street Signed as exit 133A northbound
39.7 63.9 134 Cavalcade Street No direct northbound exit (signed at exit 133B)
40.2 64.7 134-135B
I-610 (North Loop Freeway) to Hardy Toll Road
Signed as exits 135A (west) & 135B (east) southbound, exit 134 northbound; I-610 exit 20; access to Hardy Toll Road via I-610 west
40.6–
41.7
65.3–
67.1
136 Crosstimbers Road / Kelley Street Kelley Street was formerly Loop 137
42.5 68.4 137A Laura Koppe Road No direct southbound exit (signed at exit 137B)
43.0 69.2 137B Tidwell Road / Laura Koppe Road Signed as exit 137 southbound
43.8 70.5 138 Parker Road / Jensen Drive / Saunders Road
44.6 71.8 139 Little York Road / Hopper Road
45.3 72.9 140A Hopper Road No direct northbound exit (signed at exit 139)
46.2 74.4 140B
Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Parkway) to Sam Houston Tollway
Signed as exit 144 northbound; access to Sam Houston Tollway (not signed) via Beltway 8 east
Humble 47.1 75.8 145 Greens Road
49.8 80.1 144B Beltway 8 (Frontage Road) No direct northbound exit (signed exit 143B)
51.7 83.2 146 Rankin Road
53.0 85.3 147 Will Clayton Parkway – Bush Intercontinental Airport Formerly Jetero Boulevard
Montgomery Houston 54.3–
54.6
87.4–
87.9
149 FM 1960 / FM Bus. 1960 – Humble To Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital; Business FM 1960 was formerly Loop 184
55.6 89.5 150 Townsen Boulevard No direct southbound exit (signed at exit 151)
56.6 91.1 151
Loop 494 north / Hamblen Road / Sorters-McClellan Road
58.1 93.5 152 Kingwood Drive
59.3 95.4 153 Northpark Drive
61.8 99.5 156 FM 1314 – Porter, Conroe
62.9 102.2 157A
To SH 99 Toll east (Grand Parkway) – Baytown / Community Drive
Southbound exit is via exit 157; access to eastbound Grand Parkway (opened in May 2022) via frontage road
63.5 102.2 157B
SH 99 Toll west (Grand Parkway) – Spring
Northbound exit & entrance flyover ramps
63.6 102.4 157
To SH 99 Toll (Grand Parkway) – Spring, Baytown
Southbound exit & entrance; southbound access to Grand Parkway via frontage road; SH 99 east of I-69/US 59 (Eastex Freeway) opened in May 2022
64.0 103.0 159A FM 1485 – New Caney Southbound exit and northbound entrance
65.5 105.4 159B
Loop 494 south / Roman Forest Boulevard
Northbound exit and southbound entrance
65.6 105.6 159 FM 1485 / Loop 494 – New Caney Southbound exit and northbound entrance; Loop 494 access requires U-turn to go under freeway
66.9 107.7 160 Roman Forest Boulevard Southbound exit and northbound entrance
Woodbranch–Patton Village line 68.5 110.2 161
SH 242 west
Patton Village 69.7 112.2 163 Creekwood Lane
Splendora 71.6 115.2 165 FM 2090 – Splendora
73.1 117.6 166 East River Drive
74.60 120.06 167 Fostoria Road No direct southbound exit (signed at exit 169A).
Liberty County 0.0 0.0 169A Mandell Road / Fostoria Road and southbound access to County Road 377 Exit opened in March 2023; awaiting approval for I-69 designation.
0.0 0.0 169 County Road 377 / County Road 381 / County Road 383 Northbound exit; awaiting approval for I-69 designation.
0.0 0.0 170 County Road 381 / County Road 383 Exit opened in March 2023; awaiting approval for I-69 designation.
Cleveland 0.0 0.0 171 SH 105 / Gladstell Road – Conroe, Beaumont Exit opened April 2023; awaiting approval for I-69 designation.
0.0 0.0 172A Loop 573 (Washington Avenue) Completed; awaiting approval for I-69 designation.
0.0 0.0 172B
Bus. SH 105 – Cleveland, Conroe
Exit opened in February 2023; former SH 105; awaiting approval for I-69 designation.
0.0 0.0 173 FM 2025 – Coldspring Exit opened April 2023; awaiting approval for I-69 designation.
0.0 0.0 174 Loop 573 (Washington Avenue) Exit opened; awaiting approval for I-69 designation.
0.0 0.0 175 Frontage Road / Sherwood Drive Future southbound interchange; northbound Sherwood Drive access via Red Road exit
0.0 0.0 176 Red Road Future northbound interchange; northbound Sherwood Drive would take this exit and take U-Turn at Red Road
0.0 0.0 177

FM 2914 east to FM 3460
Completed
Shepherd 0.0 0.0 *453A* Loop 424 / FM 3460 – Shepherd interchange; signed as *453B* northbound
*451C* Frontage Road Southbound exit only
*451B* SH 150 / FM 223 – Rye, Shepherd, Coldspring interchange; signed as exit *451B* northbound; not signed southbound
*449B* Loop 424 no left turn northbound; future interchange; southbound exit only
*449A* Loop 424 future interchange; southbound exit only
*453A* Loop 424 / FM 3460 – Shepherd interchange; signed as *453B* northbound
*453B* Loop 424 Northbound exit only
*451B* SH 150 / FM 223 – Rye, Shepherd, Coldspring interchange; signed as exit *451B* northbound; not signed southbound
*449B* Loop 424 Northbound exit only
*451B* SH 150 / FM 223 – Rye, Shepherd, Coldspring interchange; signed as exit *451B* northbound; not signed southbound
*449B* Loop 424 Northbound exit only

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References

References

  1.  Some sources use "IH-69", as "IH" is an abbreviation used by TxDOT for Interstate Highways.[1]
A full list of references for this article are available at the Interstate 69 in Texas Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not reflect the most current status or all nuances of the Interstate 69 project in Texas. Information regarding construction timelines, designations, and specific route details is subject to change by relevant authorities.

This is not professional transportation or engineering advice. The information provided herein should not be considered a substitute for consulting official documentation from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) or other governing bodies, nor should it replace consultation with qualified civil engineers or transportation planners for specific project needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided. Users are encouraged to verify information with official sources.