Texas State Highway Loop 12 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Route information | ||||
| Length | 47.74 mi (76.83 km) | |||
| Existed | 1939–present | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| Beltway around Dallas | ||||
| Highway system | ||||
| Highways in Texas Interstate • U.S. • TX (Loops – Spurs – Rec – FM)
|
||||
→
Loop 12 is a special road in Texas. It's a state highway that forms a complete circle. Most of Loop 12 runs inside the city of Dallas.
The western part of this loop is called Walton Walker Boulevard. It's named after General Walton Walker. He was a brave soldier who served and died in South Korea.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Loop 12 was the main beltway around Dallas. A beltway is a highway that goes around a city. Think of it like a big ring road. Later, I-635 became the new outer beltway. Now, the President George Bush Turnpike is becoming even more important. But Loop 12 is still special. It's the only state highway in Dallas that makes a full loop.
Contents
Exploring Loop 12: A Trip Around Dallas
Let's take a virtual drive around Loop 12!
Starting East: Buckner Boulevard
Our journey begins in the east, at I-30. Here, Loop 12 heads north. This part of the road is called Buckner Boulevard. It follows regular city streets. You'll pass by the beautiful White Rock Lake.
Just north of White Rock Lake, Loop 12 meets Spur 244. At this point, it changes names to Northwest Highway. This part of the road goes west. Sometimes, signs even say "East Northwest Highway" or "West Northwest Highway." This helps drivers know which way they are going.
Heading West: Northwest Highway
As Northwest Highway, Loop 12 continues west. It crosses over busy roads like Central Expressway (which is also US 75). It also goes over the Dallas North Tollway. A tollway is a road where you pay a small fee to drive. You'll also pass north of Bachman Lake and Dallas Love Field. Dallas Love Field is a big airport!
Southbound Freeway: Walton Walker Boulevard
After crossing I-35E, Loop 12 turns south. This section is different because it becomes a freeway. A freeway is a major highway with no stoplights. It's designed for fast, smooth travel. This freeway part is known as Walton Walker Boulevard.
On this freeway, you'll pass the spot where Texas Stadium used to be. This was once a famous football stadium! This freeway part of Loop 12 is special. It's the only section that leaves the Dallas city limits. It goes through the eastern part of Irving.
Special Lanes: Tolled Express Lanes
Between I-35E and SH 183, Loop 12 has special tolled express lanes. These are lanes where you pay a fee to drive. They help traffic move faster. There's one express lane for each direction of travel. These lanes connect to other express lanes on SH 183 and I-635.
Completing the Loop
After crossing I-30 again, Loop 12 continues south. It leaves the freeway and goes back to regular city streets. This happens east of Mountain Creek Lake. Here, it meets Mountain Creek Parkway and Patriot Parkway. Patriot Parkway is another freeway that connects to I-20.
Loop 12 then turns southeast. It follows Ledbetter Drive, just north of Dallas Executive Airport. This airport used to be called Red Bird Airport. The road continues east, crossing US 67, I-35E (for the second time!), and I-45.
Finally, at the intersection with US 175, Loop 12 turns north again. It becomes Buckner Boulevard once more. It follows this road all the way back to I-30, completing its full circle! Part of this section, between Bonnie View Road and US 175, is also called Great Trinity Forest Way. It goes through a natural area near the Trinity River.
History of Loop 12
Loop 12 has been around for a long time!
Early Days
The road we know as Loop 12 was first officially named on September 26, 1939. At that time, it was a renumbering of an older road called SH 40 Bypass. It ran from US 175, past US 80, to the Buckner Orphans Home, and then to SH 114 at White Rock Lake.
Growing Longer
Over the years, Loop 12 was made longer.
- On April 23, 1942, it was extended from US 175 to US 75.
- Then, on August 3, 1943, it was extended even further west and north to SH 183.
- Just a few months later, on October 6, 1943, Loop 12 was extended north and east. This brought it back to SH 114 at White Rock Lake, making it a bigger loop.
Changes Over Time
Roads sometimes get new routes or numbers. On January 7, 1971, Loop 12's path changed a bit. It started using parts of Spur 348 and an older section of SH 114. The parts of Loop 12 that were no longer used became new roads, like Spur 482. This shows how roads can change and adapt as cities grow!
Gallery
-
Loop 12 meets US 75.
-
Texas State Highway 289 Preston Road at Loop 12 Northwest Highway.
-
Loop 12 Northwest Highway near the Dallas North Tollway.
-
Loop 12 Northwest Highway at the Dallas North Tollway.
