TX 288 Toll Lane To Start Mid 2016

[MaxConcrete]

1 hour ago, JLWM8609 said:

I guess part of the reason for no exit to the mainlanes there is to take those vehicles that would normally use MacGregor to access the Medical Center and put them on Holcombe instead?

I seem to recall that the original plan was to have the toll lanes connect into MacGregor, but there was substantial opposition so the MacGregor connection was nixed. The Holcombe exit was then proposed and was acceptable to the community.

 

Good point about an exit to the main lanes where you suggest.

[JLWM8609]

19 hours ago, MaxConcrete said:

I seem to recall that the original plan was to have the toll lanes connect into MacGregor, but there was substantial opposition so the MacGregor connection was nixed. The Holcombe exit was then proposed and was acceptable to the community.

 

Good point about an exit to the main lanes where you suggest.

I remembered that the original plans from the 60s called for the inside express lanes to have no exits from 610 to Downtown, so despite the Holcombe exit, maybe that's keeping in the spirit of the original intent?

[Highrise Tower]

 

 

 

 

[Highrise Tower]

 

 

 

[hindesky]

4 parked trucks with wind turbine blades on the shoulder of Hwy 288 southbound were causing a big traffic jam.

[samagon]

now that this is open, getting from downtown to places southwest of Houston (Sugarland area) farther out than BW8, it is a faster trip to go down the 288 toll to bw8 to 59. at least during peak rush hour.

 

google maps still doesn't show a direct connection from 288 to bw8 (the ramps are open), so it is even faster than Google says.

[X.R.]

Anyone know if they will be planting trees and stuff in the median/on the exits? I liked that 288 had some green once you passed 610, and some of the newer bridges had trees underneath them in the mockups. 

[Triton]

1 hour ago, samagon said:

now that this is open, getting from downtown to places southwest of Houston (Sugarland area) farther out than BW8, it is a faster trip to go down the 288 toll to bw8 to 59. at least during peak rush hour.

 

google maps still doesn't show a direct connection from 288 to bw8 (the ramps are open), so it is even faster than Google says.

 

Yea 288 makes travelling a lot quicker now. It seriously bypasses a lot of the traffic during peak rush hour but you're definitely going to pay for it.

The only dangerous point I see so far is at 288 to the Chenevert St ramp near downtown. I've seen several wrecks almost occur there. If someone wants to get to that exit, they have to do it very very quickly across multiple lanes if they didn't take the 59 exit (from the toll lanes) earlier.

[cspwal]

21 hours ago, Triton said:

 

Yea 288 makes travelling a lot quicker now. It seriously bypasses a lot of the traffic during peak rush hour but you're definitely going to pay for it.

The only dangerous point I see so far is at 288 to the Chenevert St ramp near downtown. I've seen several wrecks almost occur there. If someone wants to get to that exit, they have to do it very very quickly across multiple lanes if they didn't take the 59 exit (from the toll lanes) earlier.

Both times I've taken the lanes into downtown, I had to just take 45 to Scott, since that exit is WAY too close to get to safely 

[Triton]

2 hours ago, cspwal said:

Both times I've taken the lanes into downtown, I had to just take 45 to Scott, since that exit is WAY too close to get to safely 

Yup. Way too close.

 

For those that don't know, to get to the Chenevert exit you essentially have to cut across two lanes immediately and hope there are no cars there when you do it. I am hoping TXDOT quickly realizes how dangerous this is and adds some traffic delineators to prevent people from trying to make that exit.

 

[Triton]

On 10/17/2020 at 7:38 PM, Highrise Tower said:

The Almeda ramp will be awesome.

 

 

 

 

 

Does anyone know how this is supposed to look (schematics) ?

[JLWM8609]

Here's a few problems I've noticed from this project.

1. They placed a brand new I-610/Hurricane Evacuation Route sign on 288 NB at Bellfort, but the arrow on the sign points to the right toward the old exit location even though the exits to 610 have been moved to the left. Link showing the sign not present during construction: https://goo.gl/maps/vALTD5Ex7FLwY5PQA

2. The highway sign pavement markers at 288NB and I-69/US 59 say TX-59 instead of US 59.

 

3. At the same interchange, the pavement markings and the overhead signs don't match. The pavement and a sign shows the 2 left lanes will take you to I-45. In actuality, the #1 left lane turns into a lane that allows you to either go to I-45 or exit at Chenevert, while the #2 left lane is an exit only lane for Chenevert.

Pavement says this lane will take you to I-45, but the overhead sign says otherwise.

Driving along, you enter the #2 lane to access I-45 based upon this sign and the pavement marking in the previous photo.

The next sign shows your lane is going to Chenevert instead of I-45.

Exit only? You'd better get over now if you want to get on I-45. Forget what that sign said 1/2 mile ago!

Edited January 15, 2021 by JLWM8609

[JLWM8609]

4 hours ago, Triton said:

Does anyone know how this is supposed to look (schematics) ?

There's a post earlier in the thread by MaxConcrete that had links to the schematics, but the website that hosts the images is down.

 

On 12/16/2020 at 11:51 AM, Triton said:

Yup. Way too close.

 

For those that don't know, to get to the Chenevert exit you essentially have to cut across two lanes immediately and hope there are no cars there when you do it. I am hoping TXDOT quickly realizes how dangerous this is and adds some traffic delineators to prevent people from trying to make that exit.

 

Those would help even though Houston drivers like to seem to take them out, but what they really need to do is add Chenevert to the I-69/US 59 exit sign from the toll lane as well. Signage clarity is lacking in some aspects of this project.

[Triton]

7 hours ago, JLWM8609 said:

There's a post earlier in the thread by MaxConcrete that had links to the schematics, but the website that hosts the images is down.

Right, I saw his images are missing. And the link there doesn't really provide anything anymore. Oh well, thanks though.

[Triton]

On 1/15/2021 at 10:36 AM, Triton said:

Right, I saw his images are missing. And the link there doesn't really provide anything anymore. Oh well, thanks though.

Copied the images before we lose them:

[Nate_56]

Here’s another schematic I found.

https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/hou/sh288_toll_lanes/project_documents/schematic_plans/initial/sh288-initial-sheet-11.pdf

Edited January 18, 2021 by Nate_56

[Triton]

12 hours ago, Nate_56 said:

Here’s another schematic I found.

https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/hou/sh288_toll_lanes/project_documents/schematic_plans/initial/sh288-initial-sheet-11.pdf

Even better! Thank you very much

[Highrise Tower]

Looking good!

[Highrise Tower]

610 near Almeda.

[JLWM8609]

A major pavement failure on 288 SB has shut down all lanes just south of 610. I've been watching the fissure slowly get worse over the last few months. It started as a crack which they filled with tar. When it got worse, they started an asphalt overlay. Then you could see the crack getting worse underneath the overlay over the past week or so. I'd started driving in the left lane to avoid it. Traffic is being detoured to the toll lanes with tolls waived between Southmore and Beltway 8. 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Damaged-pavement-shuts-down-part-of-Texas-288-16110760.php 

[hindesky]

1 hour ago, JLWM8609 said:

A major pavement failure on 288 SB has shut down all lanes just south of 610. I've been watching the fissure slowly get worse over the last few months. It started as a crack which they filled with tar. When it got worse, they started an asphalt overlay. Then you could see the crack getting worse underneath the overlay over the past week or so. I'd started driving in the left lane to avoid it. Traffic is being detoured to the toll lanes with tolls waived between Southmore and Beltway 8. 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Damaged-pavement-shuts-down-part-of-Texas-288-16110760.php 

I saw those pics. What could possibly cause this? To the untrained eye it looks like bad compaction, wrong type of stabilized soil or just shoddy work by the contractor. Who is responsible for fixing this?

[Triton]

8 hours ago, hindesky said:

I saw those pics. What could possibly cause this? To the untrained eye it looks like bad compaction, wrong type of stabilized soil or just shoddy work by the contractor. Who is responsible for fixing this?

According to what I've read, Blueridge is responsible.

[JLWM8609]

11 hours ago, hindesky said:

I saw those pics. What could possibly cause this? To the untrained eye it looks like bad compaction, wrong type of stabilized soil or just shoddy work by the contractor. Who is responsible for fixing this?

I wonder if the freeze had something to do with it? I've heard of potholes getting worse from the cycle of freezing and thawing. Could it have destabilized the soil underneath? There's also buckling in the retaining wall and embankment slope.

[Highrise Tower]

[BeerNut]

Drivers still diverted to toll lanes along Texas 288 as company researches reason for collapse

 

Quote

Drivers concerned with the collapse are not the only ones unsure of Blueridge. Thursday, credit rating agency Fitch Ratings reaffirmed its BBB- rating for Blueridge and said its outlook remains negative. Analysts in a commentary that accompanied the rating said their decision was based on “potential negative economic headwinds of opening during the coronavirus pandemic, including potentially lower congestion in the corridor and less willingness to pay tolls over the near to medium term.”

 

[cloud713]

Wow, i didn't realize how bad the collapse was. They had to remove a huge area.

To add to JLWM's list from January about problems found with the 288 project so far.. when driving south, I noticed there is no exit/signage from the main lanes to the Beltway. Only a beltway frontage road exit off to the right, even though you can exit the main lanes into the toll lanes, and then go up the toll ramp directly onto the beltway that way. Im not sure why there's no signage for that, or why they didn't make a nice defined double merge from the mainlanes and the toll lanes into one exit ramp like they did from the south side of the beltway going north..?

Also.. Are the southmore pedestrian bridges completed? I haven't gone up top to check them out yet, but from underneath they sure look bare, not the nice lush renderings we initially saw.

Edited May 16, 2021 by cloud713

[JLWM8609]

On 5/16/2021 at 2:24 AM, cloud713 said:

To add to JLWM's list from January about problems found with the 288 project so far.. when driving south, I noticed there is no exit/signage from the main lanes to the Beltway. Only a beltway frontage road exit off to the right, even though you can exit the main lanes into the toll lanes, and then go up the toll ramp directly onto the beltway that way. Im not sure why there's no signage for that, or why they didn't make a nice defined double merge from the mainlanes and the toll lanes into one exit ramp like they did from the south side of the beltway going north..?
 

I think there's one little sign that tells you the cost to access the Tollway direct connector as well as as FM518 and Hwy 6 from that point instead of a big green sign like the northbound side. Not sure why they did that instead of a big green sign.

[X.R.]

Southmore is generally done. They've planted a ton of trees and grass on the feeder by the bridge, its going to look green in a year or so. I think that portion looks nice. It makes the other bridges in the area look much more terrible however, so I hope they are getting redone or at least a paint job or some trees or something.

I hate the white piping they used for the pedestrian bridge though. Makes me think of that sort of crappy bridge into the neighborhood over there by gulfgate.

Edited May 18, 2021 by X.R.

[JLWM8609]

11 hours ago, X.R. said:

Southmore is generally done. They've planted a ton of trees and grass on the feeder by the bridge, its going to look green in a year or so. I think that portion looks nice. It makes the other bridges in the area look much more terrible however, so I hope they are getting redone or at least a paint job or some trees or something.

I hate the white piping they used for the pedestrian bridge though. Makes me think of that sort of crappy bridge into the neighborhood over there by gulfgate.

The all-white is pretty bland. They were originally painting the bridge in the TxDOT Wave Design Scheme like the rest of the new bridges, but they stopped and painted it all white instead. The renderings showed the bridges in the wave scheme and also showed the pedestrian bridges using a more throwback style rail similar to what they did on the new Homestead overpass. https://goo.gl/maps/cBajZyxT9jaK7FTj7

[samagon]

this bridge?

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.6956712,-95.2946589,3a,75y,101.18h,94.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdCHNXP2nkrNm8pkezZnoSg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

compared with other foot bridges over freeways, this one is pretty snazzy, with the stuff added to make it look suspended.

[por favor gracias]

Just took the exit ramp from 288 Northbound to Beltway 8 Westbound and the view of the Houston skyline(s) might be the most impressive in the city. I've been driving in Houston for over 20 years and been on pretty much every ramp in the city, and I was blown away. It looks like a smaller New York...pretty much a continuous skyline from the Galleria to that massive 288 view of downtown.

[samagon]

12 hours ago, por favor gracias said:

Just took the exit ramp from 288 Northbound to Beltway 8 Westbound and the view of the Houston skyline(s) might be the most impressive in the city. I've been driving in Houston for over 20 years and been on pretty much every ramp in the city, and I was blown away. It looks like a smaller New York...pretty much a continuous skyline from the Galleria to that massive 288 view of downtown.

take the recently opened ramp from 610 S to 45 N, it's impressive too.

[por favor gracias]

8 hours ago, samagon said:

take the recently opened ramp from 610 S to 45 N, it's impressive too.

I bet you're right. The new elevated portion of the Gulf Fwy northbound exit for 59 & 288 is probably my favorite ramp in the city at the moment. I can imagine how (pretty much) that same view would look from a few miles back. That's between 288 and the Ship Channel, which might be the most underrated view of the city.

Gonna have to hit that one up soon...appreciate the heads up.

[kennyc05]

10 hours ago, samagon said:

take the recently opened ramp from 610 S to 45 N, it's impressive too.

 

42 minutes ago, por favor gracias said:

I bet you're right. The new elevated portion of the Gulf Fwy northbound exit for 59 & 288 is probably my favorite ramp in the city at the moment. I can imagine how (pretty much) that same view would look from a few miles back. That's between 288 and the Ship Channel, which might be the most underrated view of the city.

Gonna have to hit that one up soon...appreciate the heads up.

Don't forget the new 610 southbound in the Galleria area to 59 north. 

[por favor gracias]

Yeah, that's a nice view too. Love how you first notice the med center when first turning "north" on the ramp, which looks like a small city in itself...then the museum district buildings, then Greenway Plaza right there in front of you practically connecting with Upper Kirby with downtown looming in the background and everything in between. Just coming up 610 from Bellaire going over 59 is a great view of the city.

Of course I'm in the passenger seat when all this is going on...

[Houston19514]

And 610 east bound to 288 north is pretty awesome as well.

[por favor gracias]

3rd best skyline in the country IMO (after New York & Chicago).

[JLWM8609]

The 288 mainlanes at Holmes Rd. are set to reopen tomorrow. That means no more detour/free ride on the toll lanes between Southmore and Beltway 8. https://abc13.com/sh-288-reopens-pavement-failure-safety-purposes-structural-damage/10874778/

[Triton]

Drove down 288 for the first time in a while to meet my newborn's pediatrician in TMC and I am so disappointed with this project. 

Yea, the toll road looks great but usually these sort of projects try to improve the feeders, bridges, sidewalks, etc. The Old Spanish Trail section shows very little sign of improvement except for the ramps to the toll road. The bridges and pedestrian walkways look like could have, at the very least, gotten a new coat of paint. The feeder roads are full of cracks and bumps. This is the first highway project I've seen in a while where they truly didn't care about the residents immediately on this highway in the loop. 

[JLWM8609]

8 hours ago, Triton said:

Drove down 288 for the first time in a while to meet my newborn's pediatrician in TMC and I am so disappointed with this project. 

Yea, the toll road looks great but usually these sort of projects try to improve the feeders, bridges, sidewalks, etc. The Old Spanish Trail section shows very little sign of improvement except for the ramps to the toll road. The bridges and pedestrian walkways look like could have, at the very least, gotten a new coat of paint. The feeder roads are full of cracks and bumps. This is the first highway project I've seen in a while where they truly didn't care about the residents immediately on this highway in the loop. 

The only original bridges over 288 to get a new coat of paint during this project were utility bridges. Go figure.

[X.R.]

On 8/6/2021 at 4:25 PM, Triton said:

Drove down 288 for the first time in a while to meet my newborn's pediatrician in TMC and I am so disappointed with this project. 

Yea, the toll road looks great but usually these sort of projects try to improve the feeders, bridges, sidewalks, etc. The Old Spanish Trail section shows very little sign of improvement except for the ramps to the toll road. The bridges and pedestrian walkways look like could have, at the very least, gotten a new coat of paint. The feeder roads are full of cracks and bumps. This is the first highway project I've seen in a while where they truly didn't care about the residents immediately on this highway in the loop. 

yeah its weird, I would have thought they would have redone all the bridges to be similar to the new Southmore bridge which I think is the only one that was redone. They did plant trees by that bridge, and some new trees on the side of the walls on various parts of 288 just past 610 going north, but not much else. Doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason as to why they put the new trees in. I was thinking if they didn't redo the bridges or the walkways why they didn't just plant trees/vegetation consistently in the wall/feeder sections with grass (helps with flooding!). A strange highway update, but effective! It moves people!

[cloud713]

On 8/9/2021 at 4:59 PM, X.R. said:

A strange highway update, but effective! It moves people!

It really is. By far the best toll road/highway layout in the city now. I’m moving to Katy and not looking forward to swapping 288 for i10.

[JLWM8609]

Read this on chron.com. Guess they didn't get the memo that the cloverleaf plan was scrapped in favor of a conventional setup. https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/fannin-exit-closed-south-loop-610-16586011.php

[Houston19514]

17 hours ago, JLWM8609 said:

Read this on chron.com. Guess they didn't get the memo that the cloverleaf plan was scrapped in favor of a conventional setup. https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/fannin-exit-closed-south-loop-610-16586011.php

Just curious... are there updated schematics?

[JLWM8609]

9 hours ago, Houston19514 said:

Just curious... are there updated schematics?

All I've seen are the schematics posted in this thread a few months ago. Construction seems to be corresponding to them pretty closely. 

[Houston19514]

10 hours ago, JLWM8609 said:

All I've seen are the schematics posted in this thread a few months ago. Construction seems to be corresponding to them pretty closely. 

Oh yes.  Thank you.   Sad that the transportation writers for the local paper don't have a clue.  But hardly surprising when that same writer also thinks there are "southbound"  drivers on the South Loop.  ("Southbound drivers wanting to exit at Fannin Street").  Sheesh.  At least get someone who can differentiate South from West.

 

Edited November 5, 2021 by Houston19514

[Triton]

9/21/21 (very recent) update on Google Earth

[JLWM8609]

The site of the ground collapse just south of 610 reopened on Sunday morning. 

[JLWM8609]

More detours starting this weekend. https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/Houston-288-610-highway-closure-ramp-16629438.php