In 2009, House Bill 2642 established the Texas Historic Roads and Highways Program, the goal of which is to identify, designate, interpret, and market historic roads and highways in Texas. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) have entered into agreement to administer projects relating to this program.
The first project under the Historic Roads and Highways Program focuses on the historic Bankhead Highway, a coast-to-coast roadway established in 1916. The Texas Legislature designated the Texas portion of the Bankhead as a Texas Historic Highway in 2009. Using Federal Transportation Enhancement funds, the THC and TxDOT are coordinating to accomplish several products:
- A historic context for Texas highways statewide,
- A cultural resources survey of much of the Bankhead Highway (including field documentation of highway-related resources),
- Upgrades to the THC Atlas that will assist in documentation of historic resources, and
- Interpretation measures such as an online portal that will provide valuable historic tourism information.
Fast
Facts
1917
Texas Department of Transportation was established, then known as State Highway Department
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