Texas State Highway Loop 7
Loop 7 is a beltway in the U.S. state of Texas around the town of Athens. The highway additionally serves as a bypass for U.S. Highway 175, State Highway 19, and SH 31 around the town.Loop 7 officially begins at an interchange with SH 31 west of downtown Athens. SH 31 overlaps with Loop 7 and the two highways turn northeast before having an interchange with US 175; that highway then joins the overlap as well. The beltway turns towards the east and has an interchange with SH 19; SH 19 joins the beltway. Loop 7 continues to run east with SH 31 leaving at an interchange with Business SH 31. Loop 7 turns south at the interchange and has an interchange with Farm to Market Road 2495. Loop 7 starts turning southeast with US 175 leaving at an interchange with Bus. US 175. After US 175 leaves the beltway, Loop 7 turns west with SH 19 leaving at an interchange with Bus. SH 19. After SH 19 leaves the beltway, Loop 7 travels without any concurrences and has an interchange with FM 59 and FM 2494. After the FM 2494 interchange, Loop 7 turns north before arriving back at its start point with SH 31.History
Previous route
Loop 7 (1939)
Current route
The section of Loop 7 from SH 31 to FM 317 was originally the westernmost section of FM 317. This portion of FM 317 was redesignated as Loop 7 on January 28, 2005. On May 30, 2013, SH 31 was rerouted around Athens, bypassing the town and overlapping with Loop 7.Junction list