Westpark Tollway Ramp To Southwest Freeway HOV

[ssullivan]

This was in today's Chronicle. Does anyone know where this ramp is? I haven't seen a HOV ramp between the tollway and Southwest Freeway under construction anywhere. Also, once this ramp is finished (if it really exists), does anyone know how outbound buses to the Gessner Park and Ride will get from the Westpark Tollway to the park and ride considering there is no westbound exit from the tollway to Gessner?

Oct. 18, 2004, 1:00AM

CONSTRUCTION WATCH

Tollway connector ramp for Metro is delayed

Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

A ramp needed for Metro buses to use the Westpark Tollway will not be finished this month as originally planned.

The connector from the tollway, the first segment of which opened May 1, to the Southwest Freeway HOV lane remains under construction, said Metro's Mike Leonard. He estimates the completion date will be sometime in late November or December.

"There appeared to be drainage issues that had to be resolved, which changed the original date," Leonard said.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority started a commuter bus June 1 from the new Westchase Park & Ride to downtown. Buses have had to travel on city streets, however, because the ramp from the tollway to the HOV lane remains under construction.

Westpark, built by the Harris County Toll Road Authority, has experienced several construction delays that have left motorists frustrated trying to find completed entry and exit ramps. The contractor building ramps to Beltway 8 walked off the job earlier this month after mediation failed to resolve a monetary dispute with the county, stalling that section.