How big is 1604? (mySA article) (Houston, Dallas: cars, gas, cities)

[EntropyGuardian]

How San Antonio's Loop 1604 stacks up to cities, states, islands - San Antonio Express-News

1604 overlayed on top of different cities and islands. My favorite is the entire state of Texas over North and South Korea.

[majormadmax]

My favorite was the overlay on O'ahu, as I go there a lot.

The overlay of LA shows what a great idea the two loops would be in that city. Same for Austin and Vegas, although I just spent two weeks at the latter and the NW portion of 1604 (where Helotes normally resides) would be Red Rock Canyon which wouldn't be feasible. Still, a similar loop would be welcomed there as well!

Heck, the two loops would probably benefit any city!

As for the North/South Korea overlay, that one surprised me as I thought those countries are a lot bigger in comparison.

Cheers! M2

[713 to 210]

Very comparable to Houston. I always thought the sizes were similar. I'm a bit surprised to see that 410 has a larger circumference than 610. Will SA ever start on a third loop like Houston's Grand Parkway? I'd rather see SA densify.

[StanStelle]

I travel south on IH35 once in a while and just when you think you've left all traces of the city because you don't see anything but ranchlands, I get a bit surprised to bump into the intersection with Loop 410 and even further out you intersect 1604. Anyone know why the loops were made so large? Perhaps they were patterned after Dallas loops and city leaders anticipated similar growth? I know the south part of 410 has had fairly recent development, but it seems like it was stagnant for decades. The southern end of 1604 has even less development. I imagine it might've been a tough sell to push for building a road so far out there beyond near future growth - unless you make a pitch like "see how Dallas grew".

[Labamigo]

I think SH 46 on the far north side is sort of a "further out loop" already.

[Rustybolt]

Originally Posted by 713 to 210

Very comparable to Houston. I always thought the sizes were similar. I'm a bit surprised to see that 410 has a larger circumference than 610. Will SA ever start on a third loop like Houston's Grand Parkway? I'd rather see SA densify.

I hope we finish 1604 and double or triple the lanes on the north side of 1604 before we start on a third loop. I wish San Antonio would take the cue from North Texas and Houston to get on the toll road bandwagon. I'm convinced the people against toll roads don't drive. I would gladly pay to avoid the goat rope I experienced on 1604 today.

[huckster]

Like Lambigo ...Highway 46 is the next outer San Antonio, Loop.

Originally Posted by 713 to 210

Very comparable to Houston. I always thought the sizes were similar. I'm a bit surprised to see that 410 has a larger circumference than 610. Will SA ever start on a third loop like Houston's Grand Parkway? I'd rather see SA densify.

[unintentionallyfunny]

Yep, the THIRD LOOP (fourth, if you count the downtown loop as one) would be a combination of Hwy 46, Hwy 97 and Hwy 173.

It would connect the cities and towns of Bandera, Boerne, Devine, Floresville, Hondo, Jourdanton, Pleasanton, New Braunfels and Seguin.

Here's a map showing an example of the third loop.

[gtoman67z]

Recall doing the 1604 loop drive "just for grins" (it was ~100 miles, gas was cheaper) once back in the 90's. Started from UTSA and at the time it seems it was more like a country drive once you got west of Culebra (no Sea World/151 then) other than the major crossings like US 90 and the interstates until I got around to Randolph AFB. If I recall correctly, it carried the "death loop" moniker between I-10 and I-35 at the time.

[Paka]

When I learned to drive in 1969 my daddy would take me to 1/2 way between 410 and the 1604 on Hwy 90 and then switch to allow me to "practice" my driving....I remember driving for HOURS and only coming across one or two other cars the entire time!!!!! That is how far out there 1604 was "back in the day!"