State Highway Loop 1 (Texas)

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A stretch of Loop 1 in Austin. The Union Pacific railway is visible in the foreground.

Texas State Highway Loop 1 is a controlled-access highway which provides access to the west side of Austin, Texas. It is named Mopac Expressway (or, according to some highway signs, Mopac Boulevard) after the Missouri Pacific Railroad (or "MoPac"). The original section of the highway was built along Missouri Pacific's right-of-way (now owned by Union Pacific), with the railroad tracks running along the highway median between West 8th Street and Northland Drive and east of the highway from Northland Drive to Braker Lane.

Loop 1's current southern terminus is at the beginning of the Texas 45 stub south of Austin. It intersects Texas 71/US 290 and Loop 360. It crosses the Colorado River in downtown Austin and US 183 (Research Blvd.). Loop 1 travels concurrently with Farm to Market Road 1325 for several miles before the expressway ends. It spans a total distance of 22.061 miles (35.504 km).

Planned extensions

This article or section contains information about a planned or expected future road.
It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change dramatically as the road's construction and/or completion approaches and more information becomes available.

FM 1325 continues to Interstate 35 to the north; parts of this route are to be upgraded as part of the Central Texas Turnpike Project. Loop 1, as a toll road, will supersede parts of FM 1325, and will provide access to I-35, via an extended Texas 45. This project was scheduled to be completed in September 2007, but is now scheduled to open December 2006, over $100 Million under budget.

If and when Texas 45 is completed to the south of Austin, Loop 1 will effectively serve as a true loop to the west of the city, being directly connected to Texas 45, and indirectly to I-35, at both ends.

References

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