RM 473 begins in Comfort, at an intersection with SH 27.[2] The route travels through the business district of Comfort, intersecting Business US 87. RM 473 then passes under I-10/US 87, but there is no direct junction with the freeway. Outside of Comfort, RM 473 continues eastward to Sisterdale, where it has a brief concurrency with RM 1376.[3] It continues eastward through Kendalia and intersects US 281 south of Twin Sisters. The two routes stay merged for about two miles; US 281 continues north while RM 473 resumes a generally eastbound direction. RM 473 ends at an intersection with RM 32.[1][4]
History
The route was originally designated as Farm to Market Road 473 (FM 473) on July 9, 1945, as a short route connecting US 87 in Comfort to Nichols Ranch 4.7 miles (7.6 km) to the east. This route was extended several times: to 4.7 miles (7.6 km) east of Nichols Ranch on February 25, 1949; to Sisterdale on July 14 of that year, to RM 474 on December 18, 1951; and to US 281 on January 29, 1953, replacing FM 1622. The designation was changed to RM 473 on October 1, 1956. The addition of the section between US 281 and RM 32 occurred on November 26, 1969.[1] While the official designation has not been amended, signage indicates that the route begins at SH 27, and not at US 87 (or its successor business route).[citation needed]
Major intersections
The total mileage in the table below is greater than that given by TxDOT, because the concurrency with US 281 is not included in its official description or mileage; however, the route is signed as concurrent.
^Transportation Planning and Programming Division (2018). Texas County Mapbook(PDF) (Map) (2018 ed.). 1:72,224. Texas Department of Transportation. p. 1685. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
^Transportation Planning and Programming Division (2018). Texas County Mapbook(PDF) (Map) (2018 ed.). 1:72,224. Texas Department of Transportation. p. 1686. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
^Transportation Planning and Programming Division (2018). Texas County Mapbook(PDF) (Map) (2018 ed.). 1:72,224. Texas Department of Transportation. p. 1687. Retrieved November 16, 2022.