Texas State Highway 195 (SH 195) is a state‑maintained roadway in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) primary highway system and is designated with the number 195. The route lies in the central region of the state and functions as a north‑south connector between Interstate 35 (I‑35) and U.S. Highway 183 (US 183), serving several small towns and rural communities along its alignment.
Route description
- Southern terminus: The highway begins at an interchange with I‑35 near the community of Florence in Williamson County.
- General alignment: From its southern end, SH 195 proceeds northward, crossing the Balcones Escarpment and traversing portions of Bell, McLennan, and Limestone counties. The roadway provides access to agricultural areas and serves as a secondary corridor for local traffic.
- Northern terminus: The route ends at an intersection with US 183 near the town of Bell County’s Bell County Seat, providing a link to the greater Austin–Waco corridor.
The total length of SH 195 is approximately 70 miles (≈112 kilometres). The highway is a two‑lane undivided road for most of its length, with occasional passing lanes and shoulder improvements in higher‑traffic segments.
History
- Establishment: SH 195 was first designated by the Texas State Highway Commission in the early 1930s, with the exact year recorded as 1934 in TxDOT archives.
- Modifications: Since its creation, the highway has undergone several realignments and extensions to improve connectivity and accommodate increasing traffic volumes, particularly during the mid‑20th century.
- Recent developments: In the 2010s, TxDOT initiated a series of safety upgrades—including the addition of rumble strips, improved signage, and pavement resurfacing—along portions of SH 195 to reduce crash rates.
Major intersections
Key junctions along SH 195 include:
| Milepost (approx.) | Location | Intersecting road(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Florence | I‑35 (southern terminus) |
| 15 | Holland | FM 439 |
| 35 | La Grange | US 84 |
| 55 | Bell County | FM 964 |
| 70 | Near Bell County seat | US 183 (northern terminus) |
Note: Milepost values are rounded estimates; precise measurements are available in TxDOT’s official highway logs.
Significance
SH 195 provides essential regional mobility for residents, commercial vehicles, and agricultural transport. It acts as an alternative route to the heavily trafficked I‑35 corridor, particularly for local trips between the smaller towns situated along its path. The highway also supports tourism by granting access to recreational areas in the Hill Country region.
Maintenance
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for the routine maintenance, resurfacing, and structural improvements of SH 195. Maintenance activities are planned in accordance with TxDOT’s statewide transportation improvement program and are funded through a combination of state highway funds, federal aid, and local contributions.
References
- Texas Department of Transportation, State Highway Maps (various years).
- TxDOT Highway Designation Files, archived by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
The information presented reflects data available from official Texas transportation sources. Specific milepost figures and historical dates are based on documented TxDOT records; where precise details are unavailable, approximations have been noted.