METRORail Ideas

[TowerSpotter]

Just a topic on any good ideas you guys might have on how Houston should design their metro rail.

For one I'd love to see grass instead of concrete where the rail is installed like this one from Spain.

Let's go Green.

[mfastx]

Grass would be aesthetically pleasing. 

 

Standard ballast and ties would prevent people from illegally driving on the tracks.  Seemed like a no-brianer to me, but oh well. 

 

Grade seperation is another great idea.  Rode the rail downtown yesterday and it was so awfully slow.  And I honestly don't like the look of a street downtown with rail in the middle.  But that's just me. 

[Naviguessor]

Didn't Metro Select Steven Holl Architects to design Central Station, Downtown, for the new Line? Is this rendering still the design that we can anticipate?  Holl is also working on the new mfaH wing...which is very exciting. 

 

 

[TowerSpotter]

Didn't Metro Select Steven Holl Architects to design Central Station, Downtown, for the new Line? Is this rendering still the design that we can anticipate?  Holl is also working on the new mfaH wing...which is very exciting. 

 

 

I am not sure this is the final, although I prefer this out of all the other designs.

[Howard Huge]

Didn't Metro Select Steven Holl Architects to design Central Station, Downtown, for the new Line? Is this rendering still the design that we can anticipate? Holl is also working on the new mfaH wing...which is very exciting.

Whoa, that would be ******* awesome.

[Howard Huge]

I wish they would build this in the middle of 288 going to Pearland instead of more stupid HOV lanes.

[TowerSpotter]

^^^^ Lets not forget the grass instead of pebbles. 

[Slick Vik]

I wish they would build this in the middle of 288 going to Pearland instead of more stupid HOV lanes.

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That was a possibility initially when HOV lanes were built but seems like lip service looking back

[cloud713]

I've been saying that for years! It's a shame they want/are going to build more HOT lanes through such a prime area. It could connect into the south fannin station since a lot of people in the area work in the medical center and downtown.

[ricco67]

They can still put HOT lanes, but put them above or below the tracks.

[IronTiger]

I still say that when they rebuild the Macy's building as something else, the tracks should (ever so briefly) descend to the lower level to provide basement/tunnel access to the new building, then rise back up to street level. 

 

To me, I want Main Street restored, but it will probably never happen.

[livincinco]

I still say that when they rebuild the Macy's building as something else, the tracks should (ever so briefly) descend to the lower level to provide basement/tunnel access to the new building, then rise back up to street level.

To me, I want Main Street restored, but it will probably never happen.

I would much rather see the trains run subterranean through all of downtown with access at tunnel level instead of street level, but I really don't have any idea whether that's actually viable.

[ricco67]

I would much rather see the trains run subterranean through all of downtown with access at tunnel level instead of street level, but I really don't have any idea whether that's actually viable.

 

The more I think about it, the train should be elevated with the HOT lane underneath.  288 is too prone to flooding.

[livincinco]

The more I think about it, the train should be elevated with the HOT lane underneath. 288 is too prone to flooding.

Never really been a fan of elevated trains personally, but it's better than at grade.

[ricco67]

No, you build something that is needed, in this case, it needs to be elevated ort else there would have to be a shut down and maintenance problems every time there is a major rain event.

[livincinco]

No, you build something that is needed, in this case, it needs to be elevated ort else there would have to be a shut down and maintenance problems every time there is a major rain event.

Sure, the challenge is defining what is "needed".

[mfastx]

I would much rather see the trains run subterranean through all of downtown with access at tunnel level instead of street level, but I really don't have any idea whether that's actually viable.

 

Completely agree.  That would be the most ideal situation and most convenient for commuters.  To be able to exit the train and go straight into tunnels to their buildings. 

 

But you'd have to reconfigure the tunnel network around stations and it would cost a fortune.