Existed: 1926 – present Constructed 1926 | Length 231.3 km | |
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State Highway 97 or SH 97 is a state highway running 143 miles (230 km) from Cotulla to Waelder in the U.S. state of Texas.
History
In 1926, SH 97 was originally planned as a route from Jourdanton to end at Pleasanton. By 1928, SH 97 extended south to Rio Grande City via Hebbronville and Tilden; by 1933, SH 97 was split into 2 sections, one from Rio Grande City to Hebbronville, and from Fowlerton to Pleasanton, with the possibility of these section being connected in the future. Because of the isolation of the southern stretch, that portion went unconstructed. The northern branch was slowly constructed, initially between Stockdale and Fowlerton by 1939. In 1942, a section of decommissioned SH 72 between Fowlerton and Cotulla was added. It was extended to its current terminus in Waelder in 1952, replacing the western portions of SH 200 and SH 3.