Existed: 1982 – present Constructed 1982 | Length 23.77 km | |
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West end: US 82 / US 277 / US 281 / US 287 in Wichita Falls East end: I‑44 / US-277 / US-281 at Oklahoma state line | ||
In the U.S. state of Texas, Interstate 44 has a short but regionally important 14.77-mile (23.77 km) stretch, connecting Wichita Falls with Oklahoma. Its entire length is concurrent with U.S. Highway 277 and U.S. Highway 281. I-44 provides access to downtown Wichita Falls and Sheppard Air Force Base. The Interstate 44, US-277, US-281, US-287 concurrency is known as "Central Freeway" throughout the city. For example, I-44 East is known as "Central Freeway East."
Contents
Route description
I-44 begins near exit 1 in Wichita Falls concurrent with US 277, US 281 and US 287. US 281 and US 287 continue to the south while US 277 leaves the concurrency at exit 1, which also provides access to US 82. I-44 heads north through Wichita Falls to an interchange with US 287 and Spur 325. US 287 leaves the concurrency as a freeway to the west while Spur 325 leaves the interchange towards the northeast providing access to Sheppard Air Force Base and Wichita Falls Municipal Airport. I-44 continues to the north as it leaves the Wichita Falls city limits at Bacon Switch Road. The freeway enters the Burkburnett city limits south of an interchange at FM 3429. Heading north through the city, I-44 has interchanges with SH 240 and Spur 383. After passing Spur 383, I-44 begins to head towards the northeast before its final interchange in Texas at Loop 267. I-44 leaves the state of Texas at its crossing of the Red River and enters Oklahoma.
History
I-44 was signed south from Oklahoma City past I-40, along the H. E. Bailey Turnpike, in 1982. This expanded the interstate by some 100 miles (160 km) to Texas. This additional signage included the Red River Expressway in Burkburnett and the Central Freeway in Wichita Falls, to 8th street (being concurrent with US 277/281/287). For many years, the freeway ended here, forcing traffic to exit onto the service roads. In the early 2000s, the Central Freeway was extended through the downtown area, connecting directly to the Central East Freeway.
Exit list
The entire route is in Wichita County.