New toll road instead of I-69?

[editor]

Everyone's favorite business journal is reporting that Harris County is dropping out of the I-69 group.

"The alliance now supports a corridor toll road that may run parallel to U.S. 59."

[Pumapayam]

Even though I hate toll roads, I hate the Trans Texas Corridor even more.

[Subdude]

Yeah, heard that on the radio yesterday. Harris County claims the game was changed on them. Originally I-69 was supposed to be an upgrade of 59, but now it would be routed miles west of the county and be bundled up with the Trans Texas Corridor boondoggle. Makes sense - there's no reason Harris County should be paying due to an organization that wants to build roads far from the county.

[Mr. Chenevert]

I am so confused about this whole thing... I've heard so many different plans.

With the recent tanker explosion at 59 & 10, and the ensuring controversy about the driver illegally transporting hazardous cargo inside of loop 610, was the plan of bringing I-69 through the loop ever actually an alternative?

Running along 59 in the rural area's is fine, but wasnt a secondary road (whether it be part of the Grand Parkway, or its own road) always necessary when it hits Houston?

[MidtownCoog]

I am happy that they won't mess with 59. It's about the best freeway in town expect for the stretch between MMP and the 288 split.

The last thing we need is a truck route that cuts through the middle of the city.

[Trae]

59 should be a freeway farther north and south from Houston, though (I think). I also think I-45 should be extended up to Kansas City (however long Oklahoma takes). Aren't there enough tollroads, though? The (congested) Westpark Tollway was just completed in 2004. The Fort Bend Tollway is about to be expanded. I have heard of one proposed to be built in the median of 288 from Pearland to the 59 interchange. There is one proposed for 290, and one being built in the middle of I-10. How much more do we need?

Edited May 20, 2007 by Trae