The Boulevard Project

[cspwal]

24 minutes ago, Luminare said:

My only critique thus far in their service is that they really should put up LCD monitors with times of when a bus arrives at major bus stop. Just putting the "Peak" and "off Peak" times isn't going to be reliable to most. Another idea they should consider is to at this new Transit center make it so that companies like Flixbus and Megabus can depart and arrive from here. That would be nice.

 

They actually are piloting putting up monitors at the Southeast transit center.  I think they are deciding between styles, because there's a screen above the bay for the 54 southbound bus, a clock style screen similar to Metrorail platforms above another bay (this one is turned off), and a screen at normal height in the center that showed all the buses arrival/departure information for the next 4 buses as well as which bay they are in (this screen was cracked within a week, replaced, and cracked again.  This time Metro doesn't seem too keen on replacing it).

[Highrise Tower]

 

 

 

Edited June 22, 2019 by ekdrm2d1

[Highrise Tower]

The flowers a long Post Oak are wonderful.

 

[Highrise Tower]

 

 

[cspwal]

On 7/6/2019 at 6:00 PM, ekdrm2d1 said:

 

It looks like the garden entrance to Lowe's right now

[Highrise Tower]

[cspwal]

New name for the BRT line: MetroRapid https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Post-Oak-BRT-branded-MetroRapid-while-station-14103482.php?utm_campaign=CMS Sharing Tools (Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral#photo-17870740

 

Quote

Officials also said they have settled on MetroRapid as the name of the service, which will use large buses but offer trip times and frequencies similar to rail. The Post Oak line will not have all the elements of bus rapid transit, such as priority at all traffic lights, but will be, for most purposes, rapid service.

 

All this time, money, and effort and it won't be a full BRT line?  If they compromise on this, how can we trust that the lines in the MetroNext plan won't just be bus lanes the whole way but that's it?  

[Luminare]

28 minutes ago, cspwal said:

New name for the BRT line: MetroRapid https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Post-Oak-BRT-branded-MetroRapid-while-station-14103482.php?utm_campaign=CMS Sharing Tools (Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral#photo-17870740

 

 

All this time, money, and effort and it won't be a full BRT line?  If they compromise on this, how can we trust that the lines in the MetroNext plan won't just be bus lanes the whole way but that's it?  

 

Understandable concern, but I amazed this even got built at all. Its a good first step. We will go from zero BRT to almost one. They just need to start with a proof of concept. Its better than nothing, right? I'm sure many compromises were made during this process, but lets not forget that its great that compromises were made at all. Obviously cooler heads prevailed and saw future opportunity in this.

[j_cuevas713]

On 7/22/2019 at 9:05 AM, cspwal said:

New name for the BRT line: MetroRapid https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Post-Oak-BRT-branded-MetroRapid-while-station-14103482.php?utm_campaign=CMS Sharing Tools (Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral#photo-17870740

 

 

All this time, money, and effort and it won't be a full BRT line?  If they compromise on this, how can we trust that the lines in the MetroNext plan won't just be bus lanes the whole way but that's it?  

Well yeah, I mean it has 8 stops. While it has its own dedicated lane, I’m sure just like the light rail, a compromise between moving motorists and the buses needed to exist on such a busy thoroughfare. If it was actually light rail it would be set up the exact same way. Over time I think it’s safe to assume Metro will tweak things as they learn how the buses interact with traffic. 

[Texasota]

Eh, it sounds like the only real compromise is losing signal prioritization. That's not nothing, but to me the fact that it has dedicated lanes is a really big deal. Especially considering the fact that blocks are like a mile long and there are maybe 3 cross streets in Uptown. How many signals could there even be? 

[Luminare]

2 minutes ago, Texasota said:

Eh, it sounds like the only real compromise is losing signal prioritization. That's not nothing, but to me the fact that it has dedicated lanes is a really big deal. Especially considering the fact that blocks are like a mile long and there are maybe 3 cross streets in Uptown. How many signals could there even be? 

Exactly. Signal prioritization would be great in all instances, but really its best served in areas with smaller blocks like Downtown and Midtown. Uptown is a different monster and should be treated in a slightly different way.

[paul2834]

12 minutes ago, Texasota said:

Eh, it sounds like the only real compromise is losing signal prioritization. That's not nothing, but to me the fact that it has dedicated lanes is a really big deal. Especially considering the fact that blocks are like a mile long and there are maybe 3 cross streets in Uptown. How many signals could there even be? 

 

Excellent point. Didn't think about when I see people complaining about the lack of signal prioritization, which of course isn't even a permanent decision and can be tweaked in the future if need be. I'm not sure if it's like this the whole way, but from what I saw, dedicated lanes with physical dividers should help a lot with keeping cars out of the lane and avoiding the situation where it seems like every other month there's a car accident involving light rail.

[Highrise Tower]

 

 

[BeerNut]

Is this the right forum for this topic since it's not going to be a train?

[Luminare]

On 8/3/2019 at 9:15 PM, BeerNut said:

Is this the right forum for this topic since it's not going to be a train?

 

BRT essentially functions like rail just with buses, so its still relevant here.

[samagon]

On 7/22/2019 at 9:05 AM, cspwal said:

New name for the BRT line: MetroRapid https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Post-Oak-BRT-branded-MetroRapid-while-station-14103482.php?utm_campaign=CMS Sharing Tools (Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral#photo-17870740

 

 

All this time, money, and effort and it won't be a full BRT line?  If they compromise on this, how can we trust that the lines in the MetroNext plan won't just be bus lanes the whole way but that's it?  

 

what makes a BRT great is not priority at signals, it's not having to share ROW with regular traffic. 

 

separate ROW means predictable and reliable timing of buses, both frequency and when they stop. 

 

it also means they don't have to fight with cars for space.

[Triton]

16 minutes ago, samagon said:

 

what makes a BRT great is not priority at signals, it's not having to share ROW with regular traffic. 

 

separate ROW means predictable and reliable timing of buses, both frequency and when they stop. 

 

it also means they don't have to fight with cars for space.

And as always, this bus system will get not be on time because you always have idiots blocking the Westheimer intersection. I do not understand how this city cannot have grade separated transportation.... (yes, yes! the cost oh my!) but does everything have to somehow be tied to car congestion?

[Highrise Tower]

Uptown Transit Center progress. The flyover now looks connected.

 

[kdog08]

I drove along Post Oak this weekend and it's going to be a very tight squeeze for those buses, definitely will have to trim those trees again. Other than that, I liked the setup with the platforms in the middle and how Post Oak got upgraded. 

Edited August 12, 2019 by kdog08

[gene]

taken from: https://communityimpact.com/houston/bellaire-meyerland-west-university/transportation/2019/08/12/transportation-updates-uptown-boulevard-project-brt-and-bellaire-street-projects/

Uptown Boulevard Project and bus rapid-transit line

Construction is making headway on the city’s first bus rapid-transit line, the Uptown BRT, as part of the Uptown Management District’s Boulevard Project. According to the district, new traffic signals are up and running in the north segment and will be operational along all of Post Oak Boulevard by the end of September. In addition, transit stations are under construction along Post Oak, with completion by Nov. 1.The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County expects to launch METRORapid, the name for the BRT service, in March 2020.

The new Uptown/Westpark Transit Center, south of Westpark and just outside I-610, is also under construction. The Texas Department of Transportation is building an elevated segment of bus lanes from Post Oak to North Post Oak Road along I-610, connecting to the Northwest Transit Center, which is being upgraded by METRO.

Timeline: February 2017-December 2019
Cost: $130 million
Funding source: Uptown Management District

 

 

and for those wondering if the Uptown Lighting is happening this year...I found this:

 

UPTOWN HOLIDAY LIGHTING RETURNS THANKSGIVING 2019 CELEBRATING NEWLY TRANSFORMED BOULEVARD

The 32nd Annual Uptown Holiday Lighting event will return on Thanksgiving evening 2019, kicking off the holiday season and celebrating Post Oak Boulevard’s newly completed transformation.

An iconic and time-honored Houston tradition, the family-friendly celebration will be reimagined with the lighting of over 300 all-new, twenty-foot-tall holiday trees that will line Post Oak Boulevard from the West Loop to Richmond Avenue. Four times the number of traditional tree decorations that existed in years past, the custom artisan-fabricated holiday trees will feature an amazing integration of lighting technology that all ages will enjoy. 

Beginning late afternoon, this FREE family event will also feature festive music, holiday concessions, holiday characters and a special appearance from Santa. Following the ceremonial lighting of the new holiday trees, each illuminated in 850 multi-color lights, the evening will culminate with an exhilarating fireworks extravaganza.

Cost: Free -

Categories: Holiday

Edited August 12, 2019 by gene

[X.R.]

So I drive by this and the construction almost every day, and I think the area, with the trees and the bus stops and the lights and everything looks great. Better than what I think many, if not most, could have hoped for. 

 

But I spent a bit last night looking at the route. So, is this supposed to transport Katy people from the top of I-10/610 down into the Galleria area, or is this really for people who visit the Galleria and want to do some shopping here and there and might want to pop into Moxie's after going to Best Buy/the people in the apartments further down on Post Oak? 

 

Apologies for the above question sounding dumb. I'm trying to imagine average rider.

Edited August 13, 2019 by X.R.

[paul2834]

There's no reason it can't be both for people that live in the area and don't feel like driving. And it's not just a traffic free option for people in Katy that work in the Galleria. It's going to capture all the park and rides along 290, I-10, 59, and the westpark tollway, east and west of Uptown. Check out the maps at the bottom of the link: http://swamplot.com/uptowns-not-waiting-for-light-rail-planning-bus-system-along-post-oak-instead/2013-01-17/

[gene]

Yes mainly for the people commuting as that is why 610 is under development at the Post Oak portion...

they are creating an offshoot just for the buses that will place them right at the beginning of the north end of Post Oak and 610 to then travel along Post Oak Blvd then do the circle around where Chick-fil-A was on Richmond at Post Oak (which is why that was closed and soon to be knocked down)

I will say that i personally think we now have THE most beautiful and coolest street in all of Houston (and yes I love all the tree lined streets in River Oaks and West U etc...) but WOWSA, yep loving Post Oak Blvd and so exciting to see all the changes along the Blvd.

 

 

[cspwal]

It was always imagined as a spur off of the Blue line running along Richmond & Westpark.  Without that line, it's going to be stunted until there's more connections to it

[bobruss]

Just curious, but why is this thread which has nothing to do with trains listed here. I thought this boulevard project was about a BRT which I believe is a dedicated bus lane and not a train.

[Texasota]

I wonder if "Trains" shouldn't be changed to "Transit"

[Luminare]

51 minutes ago, bobruss said:

Just curious, but why is this thread which has nothing to do with trains listed here. I thought this boulevard project was about a BRT which I believe is a dedicated bus lane and not a train.

 

I mean BRT is essentially LRT minus rail.

 

@editor Maybe we can change this sub forum from simply Trains to "Rapid Transit". That would be able to encompass both rail transit and bus transit that is of the rapid transit variety.

[bobruss]

I think that would be useful because I sometimes forget this is listed under trains.

[Highrise Tower]

 

[gene]

This article made me crack up and cry at the same time:

https://abc13.com/traffic/construction-mistakes-could-have-made-galleria-area-traffic-worse/5521219/

 

"HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A recent review of a new rapid transit system in the Galleria area discovered crews made lanes too small and added light bars that would have injured riders and damaged buses.

After years and millions in the making, construction is supposed to be nearing its end for METRO's new system. But with the clock ticking, crews are suddenly racing to make changes.

 

"There's nothing I know now that would not meet that March 2020 (deadline), but if something comes up, and we don't think it's safe to operate, we will not operate," METRO Chief Executive Officer Tom Lambert explained.

Recently, something did come up. In a memo obtained by Eyewitness News, METRO, who isn't behind the construction, discovered two big problems...*continues*..."

 

I thought the deadline was originally December 2018...ha! 

anyway...

good lord 

😐

Edited September 10, 2019 by gene

[Texasota]

Reading the article it actually sounds pretty minor, especially considering Metro wasn't managing this project, Uptown (which has less if any experience in big transit projects) was.

[Houston19514]

1 hour ago, Texasota said:

Reading the article it actually sounds pretty minor, especially considering Metro wasn't managing this project, Uptown (which has less if any experience in big transit projects) was.

 

Yeah, major clickbait.   After reading the article it sounds like it is nothing serious at all; probably no more than the corrections that are necessary during any major construction project.

[mollusk]

Perhaps the French were behind this... https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27497727

In reality, though, it sounds like either the plans weren't properly vetted or things weren't built according to plan - both of which happen more often than a lot of people like to admit.  That's why they have a clearance template that they run down the line before it opens.

[Purdueenginerd]

Apologies if there is topic already for this. Tried searching and was unable to find anything. 

 

I noticed Northwest Transit Center was completely demolished yesterday and on the development map its slated to be rebuilt.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/viewer?hl=en&ll=29.78214561558281%2C-95.45377498634184&z=17&mid=1J_89cR1sxP4muIAHRJlm6TajoQPyoswJ

 

Any Renderings of the replacement structure yet? At least publicly available? 

[cspwal]

Found where I posted it: in the Boulevard Project thread

 

 

On 6/7/2019 at 9:17 AM, cspwal said:

I got the presentation on the reconstruction of the NW transit center from metro

https://ridemetro.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=5&clip_id=1783&meta_id=41677

 

 

I can't tell which direction it's facing, but it looks like the BRT station is not on post oak, but in the transit center, and only has the one platform.  Will that be sufficient if another BRT line goes to NW transit center, or would they make a second platform?

 

 

[Triton]

3 hours ago, Purdueenginerd said:

Apologies if there is topic already for this. Tried searching and was unable to find anything. 

 

I noticed Northwest Transit Center was completely demolished yesterday and on the development map its slated to be rebuilt.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/viewer?hl=en&ll=29.78214561558281%2C-95.45377498634184&z=17&mid=1J_89cR1sxP4muIAHRJlm6TajoQPyoswJ

 

Any Renderings of the replacement structure yet? At least publicly available? 

I've merged these thread, just FYI.

[Purdueenginerd]

Thanks! Sorry about the additional thread

[Highrise Tower]

Northwest Transit Center demolition.

 

 

 

[paul2834]

Oh wow, so how is this supposed to work? I believe the BRT is going to be operational in March, but I doubt this is going to be finished by then. So people taking Park and Rides won't be able to get into Uptown via the BRT until it's finished? This is going to make ridership look so bad...

[cspwal]

The nice thing about a BRT is that it could run to the temporary park and ride area with no problem, just slightly slower service than when the new TC is built

[Highrise Tower]

Uptown Transit Center progress.

 

 

[editor]

On 8/26/2019 at 11:34 AM, Luminare said:

 

I mean BRT is essentially LRT minus rail.

 

@editor Maybe we can change this sub forum from simply Trains to "Rapid Transit". That would be able to encompass both rail transit and bus transit that is of the rapid transit variety.

 

Done!

[BeerNut]

@LuminareWouldn't you agree that METRO missed an opportunity working with private companies to build "enhanced" transit centers.   

[BeerNut]

4 minutes ago, Toopicky said:

 

Define "enhanced"

 

I was referencing the plan for Gateway Station

[wilcal]

On 9/28/2019 at 4:22 PM, ekdrm2d1 said:

Uptown Transit Center progress.

 

 

Ahh, so this is the real reason that the start of service was delayed until 2020.

 

Really would have loved to have service started before the bond election, but it is what it is. 

[j_cuevas713]

On 10/4/2019 at 9:52 AM, wilcal said:

 

Ahh, so this is the real reason that the start of service was delayed until 2020.

 

Really would have loved to have service started before the bond election, but it is what it is. 

I was thinking the same. I would have been nice. There was an article in the Chronicle highlighting that issue. It was a lack of planning between Metro and TxDOT

[TheSirDingle]

Drove down Post Oak today, for some reason it was giving me Lower Manhattan west st vibes. This street is definitely coming together nicely, also surprisingly there was a decent amount of pedestrian traffic going on. Can't wait for post oak to become a complete canyon of dense high rise buildings; with nice store fronts. 

[Luminare]

2011:

 

 

Dec 2018:

 

 

2011:

 

 

Dec 2018:

 

 

 

Yeah I'd say for 7 years that is quite an amazing change. This project is only going to transform this area faster.

[Highrise Tower]

UTC.

 

 

[CaptainJilliams]

I don’t know if this is the section to post this, but the past week or so I’ve noticed that they have completely leveled the original NW Transit Center near where 610 and 10 meet.

 

I didn’t realize they were going to completely rebuild it. I for one am happy, the previous structure always looked dated with the white pyramid roof.