Farm to Market Road 973
Encyclopedia
Farm to Market Road 973 is a farm to market road
in Travis
and Williamson
counties, Texas
.
, near Mustang Ridge
. The route travels generally to the northeast and enters Austin, where it intersects near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
. It continues to skirt the eastern city limits of Austin, crossing the toll road before entering Manor
, where it intersects . FM 973 continues north into Williamson County before reaching its northern terminus at in Taylor.
to the Travis County line. It was extended southward into Travis County in 1951, to an intersection with the former (present-day US 290) in Manor. In 1957, the route was extended northward to SH 95 in Taylor, and the eastern leg from Rice's Crossing
to SH 95 was redesignated as . The same year also saw a southern extension, from Manor to SH 71. Two further extensions, to in 1962 and US 183 in 1968, brought the route's southern terminus to its current location. In 1987, the northern terminus in Taylor was shifted to a point along US 79; this change took effect in 1992, when the new alignment was opened to traffic.
Farm to Market Road
In the United States, a farm-to-market road or ranch-to-market road is a state road or county road which serves to connect rural or agricultural areas to market towns...
in Travis
Travis County, Texas
As of 2009, the U.S. census estimates there were 1,026,158 people, 320,766 households, and 183,798 families residing in the county. The population density was 821 people per square mile . There were 335,881 housing units at an average density of 340 per square mile...
and Williamson
Williamson County, Texas
Williamson County is a county located on both the Edwards Plateau to the west, consisting of rocky terrain and hills, and Blackland Prairies in the east consising of rich, fertile farming land, The two areas are roughly bisected by Interstate 35...
counties, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Route description
FM 973 begins at southeast of AustinAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, near Mustang Ridge
Mustang Ridge, Texas
Mustang Ridge is a city in Caldwell, and Travis Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 785 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mustang Ridge is located at ....
. The route travels generally to the northeast and enters Austin, where it intersects near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is a mixed-use commercial airport located southeast of the central business district of Austin, Texas, United States. It covers and has two runways and three helipads.The airport began passenger service on May 23, 1999...
. It continues to skirt the eastern city limits of Austin, crossing the toll road before entering Manor
Manor, Texas
Manor is a city in Travis County, Texas, United States. It is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. The population was 1,204 at the 2000 census; it was 1,877 in the 2005 census estimate. The approximate population for the City of Manor is 5,500, which is calculated from the number of...
, where it intersects . FM 973 continues north into Williamson County before reaching its northern terminus at in Taylor.
History
FM 973 was first designated in Williamson County in 1948; its original routing was from north of CouplandCoupland, Texas
Coupland is an unincorporated community in Williamson County, Texas, United States. The population of the area is approximately 1000.Coupland is home to the famed , an eatery, bed and breakfast, and dancehall which has been in the community for nearly 100 years.Couplands athletic teams are the...
to the Travis County line. It was extended southward into Travis County in 1951, to an intersection with the former (present-day US 290) in Manor. In 1957, the route was extended northward to SH 95 in Taylor, and the eastern leg from Rice's Crossing
Rice's Crossing, Texas
Rice's Crossing is an unincorporated community located six miles southwest of Taylor in Williamson County, Texas. Settled in 1845 and originally called Blue Hill, the community was renamed Rice's Crossing in 1872 in honor of James O. Rice, a Texas Ranger and early settler.-References:...
to SH 95 was redesignated as . The same year also saw a southern extension, from Manor to SH 71. Two further extensions, to in 1962 and US 183 in 1968, brought the route's southern terminus to its current location. In 1987, the northern terminus in Taylor was shifted to a point along US 79; this change took effect in 1992, when the new alignment was opened to traffic.