Rehan

H-GAC 2006-2008 TIP

This might help.

The traffic at the Eldridge light should improve when they open up the entrance at FM 1464.

And cheaper.

Taken from TxDOT

There was a public meeting scheduled for today, which has now been cancelled. TxDOT has backed away from tolling the portion near Katy/Cinco Ranch for now.

There's still a lot more work to do. But recently they opened up the 'feeder roads' between 1464 and where Alief Clodine and Westpark converge. Also they finally replaced that stupid stop sign at 1464 with a traffic light. I only travel as far as 1464 so beyond that I have no idea.

I've been driving on it more often now. In the mornings there is sometimes a 'back up' around 59, but its not like you have to stop, more like slow down to 30 or something. I think once I had to stop. Theres also a nice steady stream of cars inside of 59. In the afternoons its not as bad. But since there are only two lanes, if you have two people holding everyone up at 55-60 mph it creates a slow down. I swear people want to go 80 on that road...not me of course.

I think once it is opened up to FM 1464 the traffic should pick up nicely.

Does anyone have a map of the boundaries for this project?

I'm familiar with the area, but I just wanted to know which buildings are going to be demolished.

Even though most don't agree with me on this one, I think that GP will be the closest thing to a growth boundary that Houston will ever see.  This is due to it being 30 miles from downtown and I also think that "outside Grand Parkway" will become psychologically synonymous with "the country" for the most part and thus too far from the core.  There will be outliers (e.g. the Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land) but there won't be continuous sprawl a la along 290

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My take on "The Country" line:

The line constantly moves, or at least in my head it does. I've got a sales job that allows me to travel quite a bit. I have certain boundaries that I consider "the edge of civilization" Once I cross them I consdier myself in the country. I'm only 23 so I don't remember when 59 went nowhere or when 1960 didn't have a traffic light every 100 feet. But here are some examples of how the line has moved as I've gotten older:

1.) North:

Years ago: 1960 was my northern boundary for Houston

Later on: I "annexed" Spring and the Woodlands all the way to the San Jacinto

Now: I consider Conroe part of Houston

2.) Southwest:

Years ago: Highway 6

Later on: Grand Parkway

Now: Highway 36 (already past GP)

3.) Northwest:

Years ago: Highway 6

Later: Spring-Cypress Road

Now: 2920...seriously (also past proposed GP)

I don't think the GP will create any growth boundary. I don't think people mind living in the "country". As a matter of fact, a guy I went to school with complained about how Katy was getting overdevloped, so he moved out to Sealy, and commuted downtown everyday. I don't understand it myself, but that was his reasoning.

As for being "for" or "against" the GP, I have mixed emotions. New options are always nice, but I think improving existing roadways would be more beneficial.

Yeah, I haven't had any problems with my dog in the city. Most apartments are ok with dogs, for a nice fee of course. There are more dog parks opening up. No absurd laws against dogs. As for the poop laws, just pick up after it if you are near dog haters, otherwise I don't think theres ever been a big deal about it.Overall a dog friendly city.

Maybe TxDOT knew that, kjb34, but I don't think the general population did...

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"But the plans were on display ..."

"On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them."

"That's the display department."

"With a torch."

"Ah, well the lights had probably gone."

"So had the stairs."

"But look, you found the notice didn't you?"

"Yes," said Arthur, "yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying Beware of the Leopard."

it is kind of rediculous.  but they would never fight if a massive freeway was going up, which can be just as expensive.

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Really? Last time I checked, people always complain about freeways.

$20.00-$40.00

It will go up once they've completed Westpark to 1464.

Second, tolls are very high - around 19 cents per mile. This will minimize traffic as people use alternate routes whenever feasible.

Sometimes 19 cpm isn't so bad when there are major wrecks on all the other ways home. Living in Westchase and working near Reliant Stadium has taught me that. But I agree, the majority of the time I don't use it.

I really need to print some of these up.

http://www.tardsite.com/tardcard.htm

Dear Idiot,

You have been given this citation for being a true MORON because you:

[ ] selfishly, [ ] foolishly, [ ] dangerously, and/or [ ] rudely:

[ ] failed to signal to change lanes.

[ ] cut people off.

[ ] tailgated.

[ ] crossed the gore.

[ ] left-lane bombed.

[ ] right-lane bombed.

[ ] drove slow in the fast lane.

[ ] drove fast in the slow lane.

[ ] don't understand "slow traffic keep right."

[ ] don't understand "left lane passing only."

[ ] parked in a handicapped spot without displaying authorization.

[ ] parked like an $@#%!$!!

[ ] created a new parking spot where none exists.

[ ] turned right on red when traffic was approaching.

[ ] created gridlock.

[ ] rubbernecked.

[ ] threw garbage out the window.

[ ] ______________________________.

You are an idiot because you: [ ] weren't paying attention. [ ] were driving while using a cellphone.

[ ] are just an idiot. [ ] ______________________________.

To remedy this problem, please:

[ ] walk.

[ ] take public transportation.

[ ] just stay home.

[ ] get a clue.

[ ] get a life.

[ ] stop breathing.

[ ] short pier/long drive.

[ ] take driving lessons.

[ ] learn how to read (signs, drivers manual, etc.)

[ ] ____________________________.

To ensure your public disgrace:

[ ] a photo of your car [ ] a photo of you [ ] your license plate number

[ ] a full description of your car [ ] a full description of you

[ ] ____________________________.

will be submitted for publication (or prosecution) to the following organization:

________________________________________________.

Sincerely,

The person who:

[ ] you cut off. [ ] you tailgated. [ ] you generally annoyed. [ ] keyed your car.

[ ] is going to slash your tires if you do this again. [ ] you needlessly wasted the time of.

[ ] ___________________________.

Nevermind. I found it.

Construction in that section starts in May, but doesnt finish until August 2008.

Woodbridge is between 90 and Bissonnet. And I agree that there is more than enough space in that area for expansion.

Does anyone know when they are going to start construction of the new overpass over I-10? That will definitely help congestion at that intersection.

Ahh yes, an even larger relatively treeless parking lot, muuuch less of an eyesore.

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Not that I am for tearing down the dome, but if it were torn down that would add a huge amount of space. The entire parking lot could then be redone with landscaped islands throughout. It wouldn't happen, but oh well...

Ruth's Chris closes Sugar Land location

Allison Wollam

Houston Business Journal

Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc. has closed its Sugar Land location.

Dave Cattell, Ruth's Chris vice president of real estate and construction, says despite the restaurant's best efforts, this address was not a match for the upscale steakhouse.

Cattell adds that the location, at 14135 Southwest Freeway, did not prove to be the best to sustain and grow the customer base for Ruth's Chris type of dining experience.

The restaurant is currently exploring potential locations throughout the Houston area, including Sugar Land, says Cattell.

Employees of the Sugar Land location are being given the opportunity to apply for positions at the Ruth's Chris Steak House located at 6213 Richmond Ave., as well as other Ruth's Chris Steak House locations in Texas.

I don't care whether they get someone else or work out there differences, as long as it gets done. That area is a mess. Hopefully it doesn't get delayed too long.

Reconfiguring the medians is a good idea. Westheimer is currently undergoing the same improvements, and from what I've seen, it does help traffic flow.

Lowering the speed limit from 40 to 35 will not have much of an effect. Houston drivers don't follow speed limits. I was driving about 45 there the other day and got passed up by someone doing at least 65. I'm surprised there aren't more accidents on that road.

People who have a pressing need to get through traffic can do so, while those of us whose time is less valuable can sit and stew in traffic

I agree. I have an eztag, but I only use it when I need to, otherwise I use alternative routes.

I read somewhere (maybe the Chronicle, can't remember or find it) that they were considering extending it out to Fulshear, but they haven't decided on an alignment. It won't be anytime soon though. There definitely won't be enough traffic west of the GP for some time.

Any ad with Van Chancellor in it is a winner...

I would like to see someone renovate the warehouse instead of tearing it down if possible.