State Highway 46 (Texas)
Encyclopedia
State Highway 46, or SH 46, is a 71.4 miles (114.9 km) state highway in the U.S. state
of Texas
that runs from State Highway 16 east of Bandera
to the intersection of SH 123 and SH 123 Business just south of Seguin
.
north to Blanco
. By 1926, the route had been shortened, with the section north of Spring Branch transferred to SH 108. This alignment of SH 46 only consisted of the portion from U.S. Highway 281 (US 281) to US 81 in New Braunfels. US 81 no longer exists today in favor of Interstate 35
(I-35) and is known as a business loop of I-35. In October 1967, the highway was relocated in New Braunfels to the east along the alignment of Loop 337 (Loop 337), but still had an eastern terminus at US 81. The original alignment in New Braunfels was redesignated as Loop 453, but to be signed as a business route of SH 46. In 1991, the designation of this segment was officially changed to Business 46. In February 1968, it was extended to the south from US 81 to I-35. In October 1988, the highway was extended at both ends, extending the eastern end south along Farm to Market Road 25 from I-35 and FM 78
and then along Spur 351 from FM 78 to I-10
in Seguin
. The western terminus was extended to the west along Ranch to Market Road 475 from US 281 to SH 16. A portion of this route had been FM 1719 which had been combined with RM 475 in 1951. In May 1990, the highway was extended to its current alignment when it was extended south from I-10 to SH 123 along Spur 351.
in Bandera County
. The highway heads to the northeast, crossing over into Kendall County
on its way to Boerne
where it intersects with I-10
and US 87. SH 46 carries the street name of Bandera Road from I-10 until US 87. At US 87, there is a short break in the highway with SH 46 continuing again further north with the name River Road. SH 46 leaves the city limits of Boerne to the east and follows an east-northeast routing through rural Kendall County. An intersection with FM 3351 occurs just prior to heading into Comal County
. Continuing to the east, SH 46 passes FM 2696
before coming into the city of Bulverde
. In Bulverde, SH 46 intersects with US 281 at a diamond interchange
, which provides access to San Antonio
to the south. The highway continues to the east-southeast, passing several farm-to-market roads with FM 3159 and FM 2722 providing access to Canyon Lake
. As it enters New Braunfels, Texas
, it intersects and becomes concurrent
with Loop 337, providing the northern and eastern arcs of the loop around New Braunfels. In New Braunfels, the highway passes over the Guadalupe River
and intersects I-35
. Continuing to the south-southeast, it heads towards Seguin
as it passes into Guadalupe County
and roughly parallels the Guadalupe River to the east. In Seguin, SH 46 passes I-10
and US 90 before ending at SH 123 just south of Seguin.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
that runs from State Highway 16 east of Bandera
Bandera, Texas
Bandera is the county seat of Bandera County, Texas, United States,in the Texas Hill Country, which is part of the Edwards Plateau. The population was 957 at the 2000 census, and according to a 2009 estimate, the population had jumped up to 1,216 people...
to the intersection of SH 123 and SH 123 Business just south of Seguin
Seguin, Texas
Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842...
.
History
SH 46 was originally designated by 1922 as a route from New BraunfelsNew Braunfels, Texas
New Braunfels is a city in Comal and Guadalupe counties in the U.S. state of Texas that is a principal city of the metropolitan area. Braunfels means "brown rock" in German; the city is named for Braunfels, in Germany. The city's population was 57,740 as of the 2010 census, up 58% from the 2000...
north to Blanco
Blanco, Texas
Blanco is a city in Blanco County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,205 at the 2010 census. The region Devil's Backbone is located nearby in the colorful Texas Hill Country....
. By 1926, the route had been shortened, with the section north of Spring Branch transferred to SH 108. This alignment of SH 46 only consisted of the portion from U.S. Highway 281 (US 281) to US 81 in New Braunfels. US 81 no longer exists today in favor of Interstate 35
Interstate 35 in Texas
Interstate 35 in Texas is a major north–south Interstate Highway running from Laredo near the United States-Mexico border to the Red River north of Gainesville where it crosses into Oklahoma. Along its route, it passes through the cities of San Antonio, Austin, and Waco before it splits into two...
(I-35) and is known as a business loop of I-35. In October 1967, the highway was relocated in New Braunfels to the east along the alignment of Loop 337 (Loop 337), but still had an eastern terminus at US 81. The original alignment in New Braunfels was redesignated as Loop 453, but to be signed as a business route of SH 46. In 1991, the designation of this segment was officially changed to Business 46. In February 1968, it was extended to the south from US 81 to I-35. In October 1988, the highway was extended at both ends, extending the eastern end south along Farm to Market Road 25 from I-35 and FM 78
Farm to Market Road 78
Farm to Market Road 78 is a farm-to-market road connecting San Antonio and Seguin, Texas.-Route description:The western terminus of FM 78 is in Bexar County, near Fort Sam Houston and the southern end of the concurrency of Interstates 35 and 410 in San Antonio. Access to FM 78 is available from...
and then along Spur 351 from FM 78 to I-10
Interstate 10 in Texas
Interstate 10 is the major east–west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States. In the U.S. state of Texas, it runs east from El Paso, near the border with New Mexico, through San Antonio and Houston to the border with Louisiana in Orange, Texas....
in Seguin
Seguin, Texas
Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842...
. The western terminus was extended to the west along Ranch to Market Road 475 from US 281 to SH 16. A portion of this route had been FM 1719 which had been combined with RM 475 in 1951. In May 1990, the highway was extended to its current alignment when it was extended south from I-10 to SH 123 along Spur 351.
Route description
SH 46 begins at its western terminus at SH 16, east of BanderaBandera, Texas
Bandera is the county seat of Bandera County, Texas, United States,in the Texas Hill Country, which is part of the Edwards Plateau. The population was 957 at the 2000 census, and according to a 2009 estimate, the population had jumped up to 1,216 people...
in Bandera County
Bandera County, Texas
Bandera County, formed in 1856 from Bexar and Uvalde counties, is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population is 17,645. Its county seat is Bandera. Bandera is named for the Spanish word for flag...
. The highway heads to the northeast, crossing over into Kendall County
Kendall County, Texas
Kendall County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2008 census, its population was 32,886. Its seat is Boerne....
on its way to Boerne
Boerne, Texas
Boerne is a city in the Hill Country of Texas in the United States. It is the county seat of Kendall County. Boerne was named in honor of Ludwig Börne, a Jewish German author and publicist, and its population was 10, 471 in the 2010 census. The city is noted for the landmark U.S. Supreme Court...
where it intersects with I-10
Interstate 10 in Texas
Interstate 10 is the major east–west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States. In the U.S. state of Texas, it runs east from El Paso, near the border with New Mexico, through San Antonio and Houston to the border with Louisiana in Orange, Texas....
and US 87. SH 46 carries the street name of Bandera Road from I-10 until US 87. At US 87, there is a short break in the highway with SH 46 continuing again further north with the name River Road. SH 46 leaves the city limits of Boerne to the east and follows an east-northeast routing through rural Kendall County. An intersection with FM 3351 occurs just prior to heading into Comal County
Comal County, Texas
Comal County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 108,472. Its seat is New Braunfels.Comal County is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History Timeline:...
. Continuing to the east, SH 46 passes FM 2696
Farm to Market Road 2696
Farm to Market Road 2696 is a farm to market road in Bexar County, Texas. It is known in Greater San Antonio as Blanco Road, a major north–south thoroughfare.-Route description:...
before coming into the city of Bulverde
Bulverde, Texas
Bulverde is a city in Comal County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,761 at the 2000 census. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Bulverde is located at , about 23 miles north of downtown San Antonio....
. In Bulverde, SH 46 intersects with US 281 at a diamond interchange
Diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
, which provides access to San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
to the south. The highway continues to the east-southeast, passing several farm-to-market roads with FM 3159 and FM 2722 providing access to Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake
-Bodies of water:* Canyon Lake * Canyon Lake * Canyon Lake * Canyon Lake * Canyon Lake...
. As it enters New Braunfels, Texas
New Braunfels, Texas
New Braunfels is a city in Comal and Guadalupe counties in the U.S. state of Texas that is a principal city of the metropolitan area. Braunfels means "brown rock" in German; the city is named for Braunfels, in Germany. The city's population was 57,740 as of the 2010 census, up 58% from the 2000...
, it intersects and becomes concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with Loop 337, providing the northern and eastern arcs of the loop around New Braunfels. In New Braunfels, the highway passes over the Guadalupe River
Guadalupe River (Texas)
The Guadalupe River runs from Kerr County, Texas to San Antonio Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. The river is a popular destination for rafters and canoers. Larger cities along the river include New Braunfels, Kerrville, Seguin, Gonzales, Cuero, and Victoria...
and intersects I-35
Interstate 35 in Texas
Interstate 35 in Texas is a major north–south Interstate Highway running from Laredo near the United States-Mexico border to the Red River north of Gainesville where it crosses into Oklahoma. Along its route, it passes through the cities of San Antonio, Austin, and Waco before it splits into two...
. Continuing to the south-southeast, it heads towards Seguin
Seguin, Texas
Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842...
as it passes into Guadalupe County
Guadalupe County, Texas
Guadalupe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 89,023. It is named for the Guadalupe River. The seat of the county is Seguin. It was founded in 1846....
and roughly parallels the Guadalupe River to the east. In Seguin, SH 46 passes I-10
Interstate 10 in Texas
Interstate 10 is the major east–west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States. In the U.S. state of Texas, it runs east from El Paso, near the border with New Mexico, through San Antonio and Houston to the border with Louisiana in Orange, Texas....
and US 90 before ending at SH 123 just south of Seguin.
Junction list
| County | Location | Mile | Junction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandera Bandera County, Texas Bandera County, formed in 1856 from Bexar and Uvalde counties, is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population is 17,645. Its county seat is Bandera. Bandera is named for the Spanish word for flag... |
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| Kendall Kendall County, Texas Kendall County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2008 census, its population was 32,886. Its seat is Boerne.... |
Boerne Boerne, Texas Boerne is a city in the Hill Country of Texas in the United States. It is the county seat of Kendall County. Boerne was named in honor of Ludwig Börne, a Jewish German author and publicist, and its population was 10, 471 in the 2010 census. The city is noted for the landmark U.S. Supreme Court... |
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| Bergheim Bergheim, Texas Bergheim is an unincorporated community in eastern Kendall County, Texas, United States. It lies along State Highway 46 southeast of the city of Boerne, the county seat of Kendall County. Its elevation is 1,437 feet... |
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| Comal Comal County, Texas Comal County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 108,472. Its seat is New Braunfels.Comal County is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History Timeline:... |
– Guadalupe River State Park Guadalupe River State Park Guadalupe River State Park is a Texas state park located on a section of the Guadalupe River in Kendall and Comal Counties, northwest of Bulverde, Texas United States and is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department... |
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| Bulverde Bulverde, Texas Bulverde is a city in Comal County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,761 at the 2000 census. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Bulverde is located at , about 23 miles north of downtown San Antonio.... |
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| New Braunfels New Braunfels, Texas New Braunfels is a city in Comal and Guadalupe counties in the U.S. state of Texas that is a principal city of the metropolitan area. Braunfels means "brown rock" in German; the city is named for Braunfels, in Germany. The city's population was 57,740 as of the 2010 census, up 58% from the 2000... |
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| Guadalupe Guadalupe County, Texas Guadalupe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 89,023. It is named for the Guadalupe River. The seat of the county is Seguin. It was founded in 1846.... |
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| Seguin Seguin, Texas Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842... |
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