Interstate 37

Infobox road
state=TX
type=I
route=37

---

maint=TxDOT
length_mi=143.00
length_round=2
length_ref= [cite web|url=http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/routefinder/table1.cfm|title=Route Log - Main Routes of the Eisenhower National System Of Interstate and Defense Highways - Table 1|author=Federal Highway Administration|accessdate=2008-02-27]
established=1959TxDOT|IH|37|accessdate=2008-02-27]
direction_a=South
terminus_a=Jct|state=TX|US|181|SH|35 at Corpus Christi
junction=Jct|state=TX|I|410|US|281 in San Antonio
Jct|state=TX|I|10|US|87|US|90 in San Antonio
direction_b=North
terminus_b=Jct|state=TX|I|35|US|281 in San Antonio
previous_type=TX
previous_route=36
next_type=TX
next_route=37
commons=category

Interstate 37 (I-37) is a convert|143.0|mi|km|1|sing=on intrastate Interstate Highway located within the U.S. state of Texas. The highway was first designated in 1959 as a route between Corpus Christi and San Antonio. Construction in the urban areas of Corpus Christi and San Antonio began in the 1960s and the segments of the Interstate Highway in rural areas were completed by the 1980s. Prior to I-37, the route between Corpus Christi and San Antonio was served by a combination of State Highway 9 (SH 9) from Corpus Christi to Three Rivers and U.S. Highway 281 (US 281) from Three Rivers to San Antonio. As a result of the construction of I-37, SH 9 was removed from the State Highway System.

The highway's southern terminus is located in Corpus Christi at US 181 and SH 35, and heads north to San Antonio, where it ends at I-35. The freeway continues as US 281 beyond I-35 to northern San Antonio as a major freeway. In Corpus Christi, the highway provides access to the downtown area, the Port of Corpus Christi and the Corpus Christi International Airport. In San Antonio, it provides access to downtown, Brooks City-Base, the Alamodome, the Tower of the Americas, the River Walk, the Alamo, and by extension via US 281, the San Antonio International Airport. The route provides an important connection between I-35 and the Texas Gulf Coast as well as one of the few limited-access hurricane evacuation routes away from the southern Texas coast.

History

Prior to I-37, the routing between Corpus Christi and San Antonio was covered by SH 9 from Corpus Christi to Three Rivers and US 281 from Three Rivers to San Antonio. Beginning in 1971, sections of SH 9 were officially removed from the State Highway System as I-37 was completed. [TxDOT|SH|9|accessdate=2008-02-27] No sections of US 281 were removed from the State Highway System as a result of the construction of I-37, but the two do share the same alignment at two different points between San Antonio and Three Rivers. Also, US 281 was rerouted onto I-37 in San Antonio in 1978.cite map|publisher=Google Maps|url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=2568522560958495253,27.801020,-97.395701%3B6464171849619486050,29.438726,-98.477498&saddr=I-37+N+%4027.801020,+-97.395701&daddr=US-281+N+%4029.438726,+-98.477498&doflg=ptm&sll=28.61835,-97.938615&sspn=3.187023,5.108643&ie=UTF8&z=8|title=Overview map of I-37|accessdate=2008-02-25] [TxDOT|SS|536|accessdate=2008-03-08] [TxDOT|SS|537|accessdate=2008-03-08]

I-37 was first designated in 1959 to provide a route between San Antonio and Corpus Christi. Construction began in the 1960s and the route was completed by the 1980s.cite web|url=http://tti.tamu.edu/interstate_anniversary/white_paper/|title=From Anywhere to Everywhere: The Development of the Interstate Highway System in Texas|author=Beaumont et al.|publisher=Texas Transportation Institute|pages=32|accessdate=2008-02-25] The first sections of the freeway completed were in Corpus Christi. The freeway was completed from its southern terminus to convert|1.2|mi|km|1 to the west at the Port Avenue overpass to include the SH 286 interchange in 1963. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161780007406067|title=Staples Street overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161780007406065|title=Brownlee Street overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161780007406063|title=SH 286 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161780007406060|title=Port Avenue overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite map|publisher=Google Maps|title=Southern terminus to Port Avenue|accessdate=2008-04-07|url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=15654451446429096845,27.801340,-97.395350%3B13624965309344525125,27.798210,-97.414227&saddr=I-37+N+%4027.801340,+-97.395350&daddr=I-37+N+%4027.798210,+-97.414227&doflg=ptm&sll=27.799655,-97.40479&sspn=0.023878,0.024419&ie=UTF8&z=15] In 1964, the freeway was extended another convert|1.1|mi|km|1 westward with the completion of the overpasses at Nueces Bay Boulevard and Buddy Lawrence Boulevard. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161780007406072|title=Nueces Bay Boulevard overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161780007406070|title=Buddy Lawrence Boulevard overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite map|publisher=Google Maps|title=Port Avenue to Buddy Lawrence Boulevard|accessdate=2008-04-07|url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=13624965309344525125,27.798210,-97.414227%3B11077645556041266954,27.802517,-97.430838&saddr=I-37+N+%4027.798210,+-97.414227&daddr=I-37+N+%4027.802517,+-97.430838&doflg=ptm&sll=27.800362,-97.422552&sspn=0.023878,0.024419&ie=UTF8&z=15] By 1965, the freeway had been extended west convert|1.4|mi|km|1 to Navigation Boulevard. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161780007406075|title=Navigation Boulevard overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite map|publisher=Google Maps|title=Buddy Lawrence Boulevard to Navigation Boulevard|accessdate=2008-04-07|url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=11077645556041266954,27.802517,-97.430838%3B5354723483406860925,27.803968,-97.453341&saddr=I-37+N+%4027.802517,+-97.430838&daddr=I-37+N+%4027.803968,+-97.453341&doflg=ptm&sll=27.803247,-97.442079&sspn=0.023877,0.024419&ie=UTF8&z=15] In 1966, the interchange at SH 358 was complete, as were the mainlanes to Corn Products Road, convert|1.0|mi|km|1 west of the SH 358 interchange. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161780007406083|title=SH 358 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161780007406079|title=Corn Products Road overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite map|publisher=Google Maps|title=SH 358 to Corn Products Road|accessdate=2008-04-07|url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=5354723483406860925,27.803968,-97.453341%3B8455734148794798386,27.804540,-97.467914%3B2735235264550711492,27.805159,-97.484440&saddr=I-37+N+%4027.804540,+-97.467914&daddr=I-37+N+%4027.805159,+-97.484440&mra=pr&doflg=ptm&sll=27.805069,-97.476196&sspn=0.023877,0.024419&ie=UTF8&z=15] By 1968, the freeway had been completed an additional convert|8.1|mi|km|1 further west to Callicoatte Road. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161780007406096|title=Callicoatte Road overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite map|publisher=Google Maps|title=Corn Products Road to Callicoatte Road|accessdate=2008-04-07|url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=2735235264550711492,27.805159,-97.484440%3B3511226754397856169,27.857017,-97.601838&saddr=I-37+N+%4027.805159,+-97.484440&daddr=I-37+N+%4027.857017,+-97.601838&doflg=ptm&sll=27.83109,-97.54314&sspn=0.19097,0.195351&ie=UTF8&z=12] The southbound I-37 bridge over the Nueces River was built in 1933 for US 77 when it was first routed through Corpus Christi. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=162050007405199|title=Southbound Nueces River bridge|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [TxDOT|US|77|accessdate=2008-02-29] The northbound bridge was built in 1958 with the expansion of US 77 to four lanes. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=162050007405048|title=Northbound Nueces River bridge|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29]

Construction in San Antonio also began in the 1960s and was completed in 1972. The first sections were completed in 1967 to include the portion just south of I-410 at the US 181 interchange. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308080|title=US 181 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] The section from Steves Avenue north to Florida Street to include the I-10 interchange was also complete in 1967. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308043|title=Steves Avenue overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308031|title=Florida Street overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308041|title=I-10 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] In 1968, the section south of I-410 was extended south to Loop 1604. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007309091|title=Loop 1604 overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] In 1969, the two sections were connected with the completion of overpasses at Goliad Road, Pecan Valley Drive, Fair Avenue and Hackberry Street as well as the completion of the interchanges at I-410 and Loop 13. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308054|title=Goliad Road overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308052|title=Pecan Valley Drive overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308046|title=Fair Avenue overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308044|title=Hackberry Street overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308198|title=I-410 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308202|title=Loop 13 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] The last sections left were on the east side of downtown. The downtown overpasses at Durango Boulevard, Commerce Street and the overpass stretching from Houston Street to Jones Avenue were all completed in 1972. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308269|title=Durango Boulevard overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308267|title=Commerce Street overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150007308266|title=Houston Street to Jones Avenue overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] The last portion completed in San Antonio was the stack interchange at I-35. With the completion of the interchange in 1972 [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150150001710295|title=IH 35 & IH 37 Interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-28] , the city had a freeway loop in conjunction with I-10 and I-35 around the central business district of the city. At the time construction began in July 1969, the I-35 interchange was the largest highway construction project in state history at $11 million ($65 million in 2007). [cite web|url=http://www.texasfreeway.com/SanAntonio/historic/photos/texas_highways_images/txhwys_june71_sanantonio_i35_i37_2e.shtml|title=Where the Freeways Meet|publisher=Texas Highways|date=June 1971|author=Kelly, Frank G.|accessdate=2008-02-27]

The rural sections of the freeway were completed later than those in the urban areas. Construction of the highway in Corpus Christi and Nueces County continued north over the Nueces River into San Patrico County. The interchange at US 77 was completed in 1969. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=162050007405112|title=US 77 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] The road that was already in existence along this stretch, SH 9, would be utilized as a frontage road as many of the bridges along this stretch were from when SH 9 was built in the 1930s. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=162050007404009|title=Arroyo Nombre de Dios Bridge|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=162050007405038|title=SH 234 frontage overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] The main lanes were extended northward to SH 234 in 1969. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=162050007405109|title=SH 234 overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] By 1970, the freeway had been extended as far north as SH 188. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=162050007404121|title=SH 188 overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] In 1971, I-37 reached FM 888 and service to the city of Mathis. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161490007402134|title=FM 888 overpass|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] During the mid-1970s, the southern section and northern section were both being extended. The southern section was extended northward inn Live Oak County to US 59 in 1975 and FM 799 in 1976. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161490007402148|title=US 59 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161490007401166|title=FM 799 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] The northern section saw completion in Atascosa County to FM 541 in 1975 and FM 1099 in 1976. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150070007305153|title=FM 541 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=150070007306172|title=FM 1099 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] By the early 1980s, the freeway was nearly complete. In 1980, the interchange at US 281 southeast of Pleasanton was complete. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161490007307247|title=US 281 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] With the completion of the interchange at SH 72 and other bridges in the Pleasanton area in 1981, I-37 was complete. [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161490007401185|title=SH 72 interchange|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29] [cite web|url=http://nationalbridges.com/nbi_record.php?StateCode=48&struct=161490007401183|title=Rock Quarry Branch Bridge|publisher=National Bridge Inventory|accessdate=2008-02-29]

Route description

I-37 begins in Corpus Christi on the Gulf Coast and heads north to San Antonio. It is the main route between I-35 and the Gulf of Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley cities of Brownsville and McAllen via US 281 and US 77. The highway also functions as one of the few freeway hurricane evacuation routes for the southern Texas coast. The Interstate roughly parallels US 181 and US 281 and in fact, US 181 both begins and ends at I-37.

The southern terminus of I-37 is at a junction with US 181 and SH 35 near the Corpus Christi Bay in Corpus Christi. I-37 heads west from US 181 through Corpus Christi, intersecting two freeways, SH 286 (Crosstown Expressway) and SH 358 (Padre Island Drive). The highway turns towards the northwest after the SH 358 interchange roughly paralleling to the south of the Nueces River. Just prior to leaving the Corpus Christi city limits, I-37 intersects and has a short concurrency with US 77. US 77 merges with I-37 as a freeway from the south; the two continue to the north and split after crossing the Nueces River. I-37 continues to the northwest as US 77 continues to the northeast.

I-37 transitions to a rural setting once outside of the Corpus Christi city limits on its way to Mathis and Lake Corpus Christi. It continues on to the northwest and intersects US 59 east of George West. I-37 begins paralleling US 281 to the east before the two intersect and have a concurrency north of Three Rivers near Choke Canyon Reservoir. U.S. Highway 281 Alternate splits off from I-37 near Sunniland and parallels I-37 before rejoining north of Campbellton. I-37 and US 281 remain concurrent until US 281 splits off to head to Pleasanton, while I-37 bypasses the city to the east. After US 281 leaves towards the northwest, I-37 turns to the north heading towards San Antonio.

As I-37 enters the San Antonio city limits, it intersects the northern terminus of US 181. Continuing to the north, I-37 intersects I-410, the inner loop around San Antonio, at a stack interchange. At this junction, I-37 once again runs concurrently with US 281 which had been concurrent with I-410. Heading north through the south side of San Antonio, I-37 provides access to Brooks City-Base (formerly Brooks AFB). After a cloverleaf interchange at Loop 13, I-37 turns towards the northwest. The highway intersects I-10, which is concurrent with US 90 and US 87, at a stack interchange south of downtown. After the interchange, I-37 is once again heading north on the east side of downtown. It passes near the Alamodome, the Tower of the Americas, the River Walk and the Alamo. I-37 comes to an end northeast of downtown at a junction with I-35. US 281 continues to the north as a freeway providing access to the San Antonio International Airport.

I-37 in San Antonio from I-10 to I-410 is designated the Lucian Adams Freeway, after the World War II veteran. Adams is a native of Port Arthur, and received the Medal of Honor for his service in France, along with the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his gallantry during the Cassino Campaign. [cite web|url=http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/pub/user_form.asp?step=1&pers_id=11141|title=Lucian Adams|author=Texas State Cemetery|accessdate=2008-02-27]

Exit list

References