Texas State Highway Loop 49
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| Route information | ||||
| Maintained by NET RMA | ||||
| Length: | 26.00 mi (41.84 km) Approximately 45 mi upon completion |
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| Existed: | 1986 (first segment opened 2006) – present | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| CW end: |
 I-20
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 SH 64 SH 31 SH 155 US 69 FM 756 |
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| CCW end: |
 SH 110
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| Highway system | ||||
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Loop 49 (also called Toll 49) is a tollway that will, along with the existing Interstate 20, encircle the city of Tyler, Texas upon completion. Thus far, according to TxDOT, costs have exceeded $176 million. Projected total cost for the completed, divided four-lane highway is still unknown. Routing of the loop bypasses the north and west sides of Tyler and is not routed through the city center, interconnecting suburban areas and areas of potential development with I-20 West of Tyler and easier access to the DFW area. Total Smith County Road and Bridge Fund contributions to the project along with total Smith County general fund contributions by the end of fiscal 2013 are public information available on request .
The number was originally used for Spur 49 from SH 22 in Corsicana to the Corsicana State Orphans' home. In 1966, this route was removed from the state highway system. Plans to construct an outer loop around the city of Tyler, Texas began in the mid-1980s. The original plans called for a freeway to be built; however, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) determined that funds to build the freeway were not available, and that the road would not be built until 2033 using traditional funding methods. In response, the NET RMA chose to build the highway as a tollway with an electronic toll system.
Construction began in August 2003 on the first 5-mile (8.0 km) segment (called Segment 1) extending east from SH 155 (Frankston Hwy) in Noonday to US 69 (Broadway Ave) in south Tyler. The road is a two-lane undivided highway, which will ultimately be expanded to a four-lane divided highway. The grand opening of Loop 49 took place on August 17, 2006. Tolling began on November 27, 2006. Construction then continued east, with Segment 2, which extends 2.0 miles (3.2 km) from US 69 to FM 756 (Paluxy Dr), opening to traffic January 7, 2008. Due to a 2008 budget crisis at TxDOT, construction on additional sections of the tollway was delayed more than two years. In 2010, construction began on Segment 5, which extends 2.6 miles (4.2 km) from FM 756 to SH 110 in Whitehouse. This section of the tollway, which was funded by Proposition 14 highway bonds, approved by Texas voters in 2003, opened to traffic June 28, 2012 after nearly 29 months of construction, bringing the total length of the loop to 9.6 miles (15.4 km).
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