[editor]

[RedScare]

Quote

In June 2008, drivers were averaging speeds of 33 MPH and travel times of 36 minutes during morning commutes between SH 99 and the West Loop. Afternoon commutes were averaging 35 MPH with travel times of 34 minutes. With the completion of construction, morning commuters are now averaging speeds of 58 MPH and travel times of 21 minutes with afternoon commuters averaging 54 MPH and travel times of 22 minutes when traveling this same distance.

Completed freeways average better speeds than when they are under construction. What a stunning revelation. Armed with this study, TxDOT can now make the argument that freeways under construction should be completed.

[kylejack]

RedScare, on Thursday, December 11th, 2008 @ 7:00pm, said:

Completed freeways average better speeds than when they are under construction. What a stunning revelation. Armed with this study, TxDOT can now make the argument that freeways under construction should be completed.

Oddly enough, things were even worse prior to the start of the expansion project. By June they had more lanes operational than the prior status quo. It seems like I was averaging 12 MPH in those dark days, heh.

[Jeebus]

RedScare, on Thursday, December 11th, 2008 @ 5:00pm, said:

Completed freeways average better speeds than when they are under construction. What a stunning revelation. Armed with this study, TxDOT can now make the argument that freeways under construction should be completed.

How about we compare pre-construction numbers to post-construction numbers?

[p dub]

My unscientific study says my speed at 8:00 ish headed west has increased a lot (>20 mph). I have to watch my speed so I won't get a ticket....amazing!

[VelvetJ]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, let's see what it looks like in 2 1/2 years.....if not sooner. Houston history will continue to repeat itself.

[editor]

Jeebus, on Thursday, December 11th, 2008 @ 6:42pm, said:

How about we compare pre-construction numbers to post-construction numbers?

The Chronicle is working on it.

[Jeebus]

Are they really or were you just being facetious?

[cwrm4]

The problem is that the study ends at the West Loop.

The eastbound travel time from the West Loop to downtown, either in the morning, or in the evening, has gotten significantly longer.

My total commute time out to BW8, while much faster in the morning, is exactly the same in the evening as it was before. Sure, at 6pm I can go 70 mph from BW8 to 610, but from 610 to Sawyer I average about 8 mph. Previously, I would crawl to 610 and then traffic would speed up considerably inside the loop.

The laws of traffic hold true...there is a max time people will tolerate on a certain commute. They will arrange their schedules and modes to ensure they do not exceed the accepted "max" travel time.

I won't complain any further however as the westbound trip, either am or pm, has improved considerably.

[Zippy]

p dub, on Saturday, December 13th, 2008 @ 8:27am, said:

My unscientific study says my speed at 8:00 ish headed west has increased a lot (>20 mph). I have to watch my speed so I won't get a ticket....amazing!

Yeah.. they don't need those silly HOV toll lanes.. Just stick a few cops there, and the freeway will pay for itself in a year!

[kjb434]

Come January, the toll lanes will be operation.

cwrm4,

I live just inside the loop off of TC Jester. I've noticed the traffic inside the loop in the evening getting worse heading to downtown.

The current MIS for I-45 (north) from the Beltway to downtown is still being worked on and had several public meetings.

The eventual design will require redoing much of the I-10 and I-45 interchange. This alone is having significant impacts.