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US 80
           
Page Created
 08-Dec-2007
Last Updated
 08-Dec-2007
Page Status
Updates planned
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History, photos, resources
Highway location map

Looking east at Big Town, Feb 25, 2007
Freeway Complete Circa 1959 to Forney with freeway standards in Dallas. Highway standard or better to Forney: October 9, 1956
Former Designation Interstate 20 (east of I-635)
Quick Info US 80 was the original Interstate 20 east of Dallas until the opening of I-20 east of I-635 on January 27, 1989. US 80 was among the earliest freeways built in Dallas, opening from Town East Blvd in Dallas to Forney on October 9, 1956. The freeway is still in its originally-constructed configuration, with only pavement rehabilition, median barrier installation, and ramp reconfiguration/modernization since its original construction.

A long section of US 80 from Town East Blvd in Dallas to Forney was dedicated on October 9, 1956. It is not clear from the news reports if the section was a true freeway (with no at-grade crossings) for the entire length, but it appears that there were at-grade crossings between I-635 and I-30 in Dallas. A four-lane highway from present-day Interstate 30 to Town East existed as of 1954. A contract for upgrading the section from I-30 to I-635 was awarded in July 1958, so it appears that the section reached freeway standards around 1959. Additional history of US 80 be added in the future.