Loop 335 is a highway loop that encircles the city of Amarillo, Texas. Loop 335 connects to every major highway in the city and passes close to Amarillo International Airport on the east side of the city. Loop 335 is currently not a freeway. Instead, the highway has interchanges at select intersections.
Route description
Loop 335 makes a complete loop around the city of Amarillo. The highway usually passes through rural areas of city.
Naming
Loop 335 is known locally by the following names:
The southern leg is known as Hollywood Road.
The eastern leg is known as Lakeside Road from the southern leg to Amarillo Boulevard.
The eastern leg is known as Denmar Road from Amarillo Boulevard to State Highway 136.
The northern leg is known as St. Francis Avenue from SH 136 to Soncy Road.
The western leg is currently known as Soncy Road. However, there are plans to build a new western leg via a new route between Loop 335 0.5 miles south of SW 9th St to I-40, Helium Road from I-40 to FM 2186, and FM 2186 to Loop 335, thus making this section of Soncy Road part of FM 2590.
Expansion
Because of I-40 runs east and west in the middle of Amarillo and Highway 87 / I-27 runs mostly north and south in the middle of Amarillo, Loop 335 can be divided into four sections: A Northwestern section, A Northeastern section, a Southeastern section, and a Southwestern section. The two junctions with I-40, the Junction with I-27, and the Junction with Highway 87 / 287 are grade separated. Additional grade separations are listed below.
The Northeastern section is a 5 laned road. It becomes a 4 lane divided road east of Glenn St until it reaches S.H. 136 where it resumes as a 5 lane road. South of U.S. 60 is when Loop 335 becomes a 4 lane non-divided freeway with frontage roads. The frontage roads currently end at Barnco Road. There are 7 road grade separations, 3 rail grade separations, and an unspecified bridge.
The Southeastern section is a 4 lane divided road for a short distance. It becomes 2 lanes before it reaches 34th street. There are 2 road grade separations and 1 rail grade separation. It is currently being upgraded to a 4 lane divided freeway with frontage roads.
The Southwestern section is a 4 lane divided road but then becomes a 7 lane road at Arden Road. This section has additional right turn lanes. There are currently no grade separations of any kind. There are many roads nearby but no rivers nor rail near this section. Numerous businesses opened along the 7 lane road. The current plan is to separate Loop 335 from Soncy Road by building a completely new expressway with frontage roads section, bypassing Soncy Road.
The Northwestern section reduces to a 5 road North of Amarillo Blvd is when Loop 335 becomes a 2 lane road. North of SW 9th Ave Loop 335 has a short Northbound passing lane. It becomes 4 lane divided at N. Western St. There are 4 road grade separations and 1 rail grade separation.
History
Loop 335 was designated on January 18, 1960, from US 60 and US 87 south of Amarillo eastward and northward to US 287. On January 31, 1961, Loop 335 extended northward and westward to US 87 and US 287. On July 30, 1965, Loop 335 extended westward and northward from US 60 and US 87 to US 66. On June 21, 1977, a section of FM 1719 from Loop 434 to the new location of US 87 and US 287 was transferred to Loop 335. On July 24, 1984, Loop 335 extended west and south to the point of beginning, completing its current route, and also replacing another section of FM 1719. On April 26, 2018, Loop 335 was rerouted along FM 2186, Helium Road, and a new route from I-40 north. The old route was transferred to FM 2590. However, this will not be effective until construction on this portion is completed.
Junction list
Future
In 2015, the Texas Department of Transportation published the plans for the all new Loop 335 freeway that encircles the city of Amarillo. TxDot has planned multiple multi-level interchanges that intersect with Interstate 40, Interstate 27, and U.S. 287 and 87. The first interchange, on the East side of Amarillo, is a multi-level interchange that provides access to both directions of the I-40 Expressway and Loop 335. The second interchange with I-40, however, is a full stack interchange. On the Northern side of Amarillo, the loop will be completely reconstructed to an Interstate-Grade freeway with complete grade separations and will be expanded to 4 lanes. It also includes a stack interchange that will connect the new freeway to the future I-27 Ports to Plains Corridor. I-27 in Southern Amarillo will be entirely reconstructed from Buffalo Stadium Rd. at the Canyon E-Way Interchange to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. It will accommodate 6 lanes at the mainlane bridge along with a complete stack interchange with direct connectors to and from I-27. Furthermore, another triple-level interchange will be built to accommodate Soncy Road, Helium Road, I-27 and the new loop. Also, another new mainlane bridge that accommodates up to 6 lanes is also in the works for I-40 near Helium Rd. providing easier access to the new freeway. Although construction started in 2016, the entire project is not expected to be complete until 2024.
