BWSchultz

I'm not exactly sure which cities will be available to a 787 from IAH versus the existing 18 777-200ER models. The 787 should get a few hundred extra miles, somewhere in the low 8000 nm range. Of course, just having more aircraft that can fly long distances will help tremendously towards adding destinations. I think Continental has plans to purchase ten 787s at the moment, the only US carrier to do so. However, I'm sure EWR will eat up some of those additional long range flights.

No, I think they'll build it eventually. But they're going to wait until other projects in Pearland are further along. It's too much to bite off at once.

Yes, and here's the link: BizJournal They say they need to focus on other projects already in work. That could be. It's best not to have your hand in too many things at once. Besides, they should probably complete the 518 rebuild west of 288 before they make a mall there. That's just common sense. I suppose they could be done in parallel but in my opinion, the road should come first.

I believe elementary and junior high Alvin ISD buildings are being constructed within Shadow Creek Ranch now. However, I'm not even sure where a high school COULD go. I think most, if not all, of the land south of B8 and west of 288 is spoken for by businesses, shopping, and a new hospital.

Yes, Congrats to Chloe! I was actually at her finale party last night at Farrago's with my fiancee, who is only in for the week and is a super-fan of the show so this was a must-do for her. She didn't know Chloe would actually be there but she was and though I personally have only seen about 4 episodes, it was really fun. Chloe has an enormous family (7 sisters I believe) and they all live here in Houston. So with just her friends and family alone, the place was packed. We had dinner there with two other friends so we were there early and were able to secure a great table all night. I got the impression that we were one of the only people there who didn't know Chloe personally. But it didn't matter because it was still really exciting to hear all the cheering for her and booing for the other contestants. Good times.

They could certainly have phrased it better. The other point (besides location) is that SCR is, in fact, selling ridiculously fast, primarily because of the location. I think they originally thought it was going to take 15 years to sell out. Now they're saying closer to 6-8 years.

I'm not positive or anything, but I think they could just say "Houston Metroplex" or "Houston Metro Area." I think it's selling faster than anything else in Houston. But I think you have to have two cities of more comparable size to use it like they did and I really don't think Houston has any suburbs that qualify. For example, you could say Dallas-Fort Worth or DC-Baltimore. The closest you could say is Houston-Galveston, since Galveston is technically part of the Houston metro area but even that is stretching it.

Well, at least they're THINKING about building direct connectors with B8/288... Chron: 288 Traffic Count Better to do something now before it's too late and traffic is so bad that it would take ten years to make improvements *coughKatyFreewaycough*.

Yeah, since you're on the east side of 288, life is a lot better. I've been experimenting with different ways to get from 288/B8 to Clear Lake. I've tried the feeder and I think there are 4 lights and you're right, I would guess it takes an additional 10-15 minutes. My main problem is heading west and the fact that there are no exits between 288 and 521. Does Cullen intersect with 2234/McHard Road? I can't remember. It doesn't on google maps but those are a little old.

I hear you loud and clear Dominax. That intersection is already starting to exhibit growing pains. With over 10,000 homes being built in Shadow Creek Ranch, you can bet a solid amount of them will be going through that intersection every day. Direct exits from B8 onto Kirby and/or Kingsley from the East AND West would be a great help. I think they're going to have an exit from the eastbound lanes to Kirby in the near future but it would be more effective from the westbound lanes in my opinion. I'll soon be driving from SCR to Clear Lake each day. Now, because HCTRA decided to put the two closest tolls on B8 near this stretch, I"ll be forced to use the B8/288 stoplights. Either that or spend an extra $500 a year for two tolls instead of one. There is a toll 3.5 miles east of 288 and 1.5 miles west of 288. As a result of these tolls being so close, HCTRA limits the on/off ramps. Heading west to SCR from I-45, you either have to exit at 288 (major pain) or exit at 521 (another $500 a year and it still has one of those goofy roundabout B8 entrance/exits, presumably to avoid the railroad tracks). Tough call.