ADCS Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I found the following while poking around the internet: Fantastic shots of the old North Freeway. It's really interesting to see how the HOV system simply reused most of the existing contraflow infrastructure, particularly the complex Shepherd interchange. Thought y'all might appreciate this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronTiger Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I'll have to look, but I think Houston Freeways mentions how the contraflow lane was the first example of what would become the HOV lane system, the "real" HOV system was all new construction. Although come to think of it, I was under the impression that the HOV lanes (for all the highways, pre-rebuild Katy, Northwest, etc.) were built on inner shoulders, which this early Interstate 45 seems to lack entirely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADCS Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 I'll have to look, but I think Houston Freeways mentions how the contraflow lane was the first example of what would become the HOV lane system, the "real" HOV system was all new construction. Although come to think of it, I was under the impression that the HOV lanes (for all the highways, pre-rebuild Katy, Northwest, etc.) were built on inner shoulders, which this early Interstate 45 seems to lack entirely. Look at the ramps - rather than use new rights-of-way, they repaved over the existing ramps. You can see how the HOV system simply took the existing contraflow system and moved it to a separated lane, instead of being completely reengineered. It's pretty interesting - some relics of the old contraflow system include the ramp configuration at Shepherd, and the routing of the HOV through the I-10 interchange (hugging the inside southbound lane). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxConcrete Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 That's a great video about the project, thanks for posting. I was not aware of its existence, even after all the research I did for the book. Here's the chapter which features the projecthttps://1968d90e831cd27d2017897e0c81e9a12852eb10.googledrive.com/host/0B4gwdXQk1LyieHZHSTBqd0VJSnc/pdf/CH6_freeway_mass_transit_pp322-339_72.pdf The contraflow was very labor-intensive and the video says it cost $50,000 per month to operate, about $150,000 per month in today's money. The success of the contraflow lane paved the way for today's HOV system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 I remember driving on 45 when the contraflow lanes were in effect. Nothing like seeing cars in the lane next to you, headed the opposite direction, at high rates of closing speed, and nothing but a bunch of plastic poles to separate you. It was fun watching the workers place and remove the lane separators as the rest of us zoomed past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witch King Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 I remember driving on 45 when the contraflow lanes were in effect. Nothing like seeing cars in the lane next to you, headed the opposite direction, at high rates of closing speed, and nothing but a bunch of plastic poles to separate you. It was fun watching the workers place and remove the lane separators as the rest of us zoomed past. Hence the nickname "Contra-Crash". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 What a great video. Loved seeing all the old cars. l totally remember the guys sticking in the contraflow markers in the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADCS Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 Did the contraflow pylons have magnets in them? That's the only way I can imagine it being as easy to stick into the roadway as it appeared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 Did the contraflow pylons have magnets in them? That's the only way I can imagine it being as easy to stick into the roadway as it appeared.No, they went into holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADCS Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 No, they went into holes. It's easy to miss holes if you're passing at 5-10 mph like they're shown doing in the video. I'm thinking there are magnets in the pylons and at the bottom of the holes. That would make it a lot easier to put the pylons in, as you'd only need to get close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADCS Posted February 4, 2016 Author Share Posted February 4, 2016 Also, does anyone know the location of the old Champions Park and Ride? I couldn't find any references to it on Google. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 It's easy to miss holes if you're passing at 5-10 mph like they're shown doing in the video. I'm thinking there are magnets in the pylons and at the bottom of the holes. That would make it a lot easier to put the pylons in, as you'd only need to get close. Probably just weights in the bottom of the poles. Also they look slightly smaller than the holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Probably just weights in the bottom of the poles. Also they look slightly smaller than the holes. The bottoms were smaller. I remember seeing that. Every now and then there would be a missed spot, or a dropped pylon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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