There are some things that are just ours in Houston: the Rodeo, Bun B, NASA. We also have a claim to fame that seems weird to people who don’t live here: feeders! Have you ever wondered why we call our streets that run parallel to the highway a feeder? Maybe, you’re new here and confused about our traffic lingo. Don’t feel too bad because even some longtime Houstonians have no clue why it would be weird to call our roads anything else. Keep reading to learn more!
So, What is A Feeder Road?
Feeder roads in Texas are the frontage roads that run parallel to the highway. If you’re in other parts of the state, you may hear someone call it an access or frontage road. As a native Houstonian, I called it a feeder road all my life until I went to college. My roommates and I were driving in Austin and they told me to exit the freeway to the frontage road. I didn’t know what they were talking about, and quickly explained that it’s called a feeder road. Then, they looked back at me like I didn’t know what I was talking about. Anybody else have this experience?
So, Why Do We Call it a Feeder Road?
I’m still not exactly sure why Houstonians have coined the term feeder road, but Texas Monthly traces it back to the 1860s. The Southern Pacific Railroad’s route extended from San Diego all the way to Texas. As part of the railroad’s plan in 1869, it would have “feeder” lines that connected with the main railroad route. Apparently, the term feeder stuck around for Houstonians. Based on a dialect quiz from the New York Times, those in central Texas use the term service roads. Over in San Antonio, the Panhandle, and South Texas, you’ll hear access roads. Meanwhile, in Dallas they call it frontage or service road. Here in Houston, we’re sticking to feeders!! It just makes more sense, right? Those roads feed the highways!
I want to hear more about our feeder road history, so please send me what you know and your stories on calling it a feeder road!
