Section 18: Street-Named Highways
Anchor: #i1010285Introduction
Street-named highways bear names that only appear on the cross streets or intersecting highways. These commonly appear as street signs mounted at intersection corners or on traffic signal mast arms. However, when a freeway or expressway crosses a street-named highway, the name may appear on guide signs directing motorist to the street-named highway. These street names never appear on or visible to the street-named highway itself.
Anchor: #i1010295Legal Basis for Naming
Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 311 contains “General Provisions Relating to Municipal Streets.” Sections 311.001–003 grant municipalities control over their streets. This control extends to assigning street names to highways within their jurisdiction.
NOTE: Counties are not allowed to “street name” numbered highways except in unusual circumstances where mail delivery is a factor.
TxDOT is specifically prohibited from naming or otherwise designating a highway, street, or bridge with any name or symbol other than the “regular highway number.”
Anchor: #i1010317Records Management
Street-named highways are not tracked by TRF. Each district should keep track of street-named highways within its boundaries.
Anchor: #i1010327Designation Process Varies
The process for designating and signing a street-named highway differs depending on whether it is done by a city or the Legislature. Descriptions of both processes follow under separate subheadings.
Anchor: #i1010337Designation by a City
A city may assign a street name to a portion of highway within its limits. Counties may not assign street names to numbered highways, except in unusual circumstances where mail delivery is a factor.
The process by which a city normally designates a portion of highway within its limits with a street name is as follows:
|
Step |
Responsible Party |
Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
City |
Enacts a resolution or ordinance naming the highway with a street name and sends the TxDOT district office a letter of notification and a copy of the official document. If more than one jurisdiction is involved, then each jurisdiction must provide a notification letter and copy of the official document. |
| 2 |
District office |
Sends the document to TRF-TE for review. |
| 3 |
TRF |
Reviews the name for possible problems. |
| 4 |
District office |
May change out guide signs on crossing freeways, expressways, etc. in accordance with payment conditions outlined following this table and after the execution of any necessary agreement. For details on signing see Signing Practices later in this section. |
Payment for Street-Name Signs. Street-name signs on corners and frontage roads are the responsibility of the city. Street name signs on special advanced overhead-pole structures and traffic signal poles are paid for by TxDOT if the traffic signal or advanced pole structure belongs to TxDOT, unless the existing Municipal Maintenance Agreement (MMA) states otherwise.
Payment for Guide Signing. If the street name change requires the replacement of existing guide signs or structures, TxDOT will ask the city to pay for the new signs and structures when both of the following are true:
- The total expected cost of the change is greater than $500 and
- the existing affected signs and structures are not scheduled for replacement within two years.
Agreement. Generally if the cost of the changes will be more than $500, an advance funding agreement is pursued (contact the Office of General Counsel (OGC), Contract Services Section for assistance). If an agreement will be pursued, first determine if a master advance finding agreement (MAFA) with the city exists by checking the “MAFA Spreadsheet (Local Governments currently in MAFA program)” at <http://crossroads/org/cso/MAFAs.xls>. Then proceed as follows:
|
If… |
Then… |
|
an MAFA exists |
use the short-form agreement — “LPAFA for Voluntary Local Government Contributions to Transportation Improvement Projects with No Required Match.” |
|
an MAFA does not exist |
use the long-form agreement — “AFA for Voluntary Local Government Contributions to Transportation Improvement Projects with no required match (No Federal/State Funding).” |
|
Both agreement forms are available at <http://crossroads/org/cso/standard_contract_forms.htm> (accessible only within the TxDOT network). Look under “Advance Funding Agreements” (AFA). |
|
Anchor: #i1010379
Designation by the Legislature
The Legislature may assign a street-name to a highway. After such legislation is passed, TRF notifies the district or districts involved.
Financing. Unless the enabling legislation provides financing, TxDOT bears all expenses associated with the signing.
Anchor: #CEGCEAGBSigning Practices
Details for freeway and expressway guide signing for street-named highways are shown in Figure 7-8 through Figure 7-11.
Crossing Street Names on Bridges. On freeways and expressways in large urban areas, the crossing street name may appear on the crossing roadway bridge. This practice is allowed to assist motorists in using maps. These signs are usually a little smaller than the clearance signs on the bridges and located so they won’t interfere with the clearance signs. These are not guide signs, but simply street signs mounted on bridges and paid for, installed, and maintained by TxDOT.
Figure 7-8. Signing on an expressway or freeway for a named intersected freeway route. Note: A supplemental sign may be used only when space is available. Freeway name should only be used when name applies to entire length in urban area, even when more than one jurisdiction is involved.
Figure 7-9. Normal case signing on an expressway or freeway for an intersected highway route that is a named city street. (For information on oversize street name signs at intersections, see Section 3 of this chapter.)
Figure 7-10. Special case signing on an expressway or freeway for an intersected highway route that is a named city street that is more significant than the destination name.
Figure 7-11. Street signs on city streets for a named freeway route. Note: Street name signs are usually the city’s responsibility under standard maintenance agreement.