Texas State Highway Loop 88

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State Highway Loop 88 marker

State Highway Loop 88

Route information
Maintained by TxDOT
Length36.0 mi[1] (57.9 km)
StatusUnder construction
HistoryDesignated on July 27, 2017[2]
Major junctions
CCW end US 84 near Shallowater
Major intersections
CW end US 84 near Slaton
Location
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountiesLubbock
Highway system
Loop 87 Loop 90

State Highway Loop 88 (Loop 88) is a proposed state highway in Lubbock County, Texas, that will form a bypass around the city of Lubbock. The Loop 88 designation has been approved by local governments such as Lubbock, Texas while the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) builds the project, currently known as the Lubbock Outer Route.[3]

The route will start at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 (US 84) northwest of Lubbock near Shallowater and head south and intersect State Highway 114 (SH 114) near Reese Center and continue towards Wolfforth where it will intersect US 62 and US 82 then head east toward US 87 and Slaton, where it will end at US 84. The southern stretch from Wolfforth to Slaton will overlap Farm to Market Road 1585.[4] The highway will serve as a bypass for US 84 around Lubbock; the current route of US 84 through the city will be re-designated as U.S. Route 84 Business upon the completion of Loop 88.[5]

TxDOT began construction in late 2021.[6][7] The loop will be built in 4 segments: segments 1 and 2 will be from US 84 near Shallowater to US 62/82 near Wolfforth; segment 3 will be from US 62/82 to US 87 in south Lubbock; and segment 4 will be from US 87 to US 84 near Slaton.[8] Construction is expected to last 12 to 15 years.[9]

History[edit]

An earlier route, also designated as Loop 88 was designated on December 18, 1939 from U.S. Highway 83 through San Ygnacio to another point on US 83. On June 21, 1990, this route was cancelled, as it was transferred to Business US 83-N.[10] The current route was proposed to be Loop 88 in 2016, but was not officially designated as Loop 88 until July 27, 2017.[2]

Construction[edit]

The project was partially stalled in late 2017 when TxDOT found what it thought to be either mammoth or bison bones near the intersection of FM 179 and 130th Street during an environmental impact study.[11][12] Groundbreaking was held on November 3, 2021 near the intersection of FM 1585 (future Loop 88) and Indiana Avenue.[13]

Exit list[edit]

The entire route is in Lubbock County.

LocationmikmDestinationsNotes
US 62 / US 82 – Lubbock, BrownfieldWest end of Segment 3
FM 1585 / Quitsna Avenue
FM 179 (Inler Avenue)
LubbockAlcove Avenue
Upland Avenue
Milwaukee Avenue
Frankford Avenue
FM 1730 / Slide Road
Quaker Avenue
Indiana Avenue
University Avenue
Avenue PEastbound exit and westbound entrance

Future I-27 / US 87 – Lubbock, Tahoka
East end of Segment 3
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
  •       Unopened

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Travis, Avery (February 20, 2018). "TxDOT Takes Next Steps to Loop 88". KAMC. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Minute Order 12e2" (PDF). July 27, 2017.
  3. ^ "'Outer Route' on path to becoming 'Loop 88'". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. September 12, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  4. ^ "Lubbock Outer Route". Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  5. ^ Stell, Matt (February 10, 2020). "Proposed Loop 88 to be officially known as 'U.S. 84 Bypass'". KAMC. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  6. ^ Young, Adam D. "Loop 88 groundbreaking to kick-off construction in south Lubbock". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  7. ^ Snyder, Rob (October 28, 2016). "Lubbock City Council Approves Renaming of Outer Route to Texas Loop 88". KFYO. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  8. ^ "Lubbock Outer Route - Phase 3". Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  9. ^ Estrada, Jacob (February 21, 2018). "TxDOT Unveils Detailed Plans for the Loop 88 Project". KFYO-FM. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  10. ^ Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "Business U.S. Highway No. 83-N". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  11. ^ Dotray, Matt (January 3, 2018). "Loop 88 project stalled after TxDOT finds pre-historic animal bones". Lubbock Avalanche Journal. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  12. ^ Dotray, Matt (January 26, 2018). "Source of bones found along Loop 88 determined inconclusive". Lubbock Avalanche Journal. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  13. ^ Young, Adam D. (October 31, 2021). "Loop 88 groundbreaking to kick-off construction in south Lubbock". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved September 2, 2022.