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More asphalt not best for transport
By Michael A. Smith
The Daily News
Published October 27, 2009
The state’s plan to widen Interstate 45 between FM 1764 and FM 518 illustrates why we need to be thinking of new ways to deal with traffic congestion.
On the surface, the plan is good.
It’s inevitable if you believe population growth projections for the region; there’s no reason to suspect those are wrong.
The Texas Department of Transportation is considering widening I-45 from six lanes to eight between Texas City and League City to handle future traffic, improve safety and speed hurricane evacuation.
The state would add one lane on each side of the interstate, widen shoulders, reconstruct the two-lane frontage road and reconfigure ramps.
To accomplish the expansion, the state would have to acquire 10 feet of additional right of way on both sides of the Gulf Freeway from Hughes Road to FM 518, about 11 acres of land. The state plans to use its existing right of way between Hughes Road and FM 1764.
We all know how this will go.
Businesses may be displaced, some through the painful process of eminent domain. Some that don’t have to move will die because their customers can’t get to them during the construction.
Drivers will be treated to months of awful congestion while the project is under way.
Some of them may die in crashes caused in part by the construction.
The project will cost a fortune and probably will run over budget. By the time it is all done, the improvements will be nearly obsolete.
The fact is you can’t pour concrete fast enough to stay ahead of traffic. If you doubt that, read up on the history of the Katy Freeway that runs, or more aptly on most days, crawls, from Houston west to Katy.
Is that what we want here?
There are other, better ways to move people from A to B; rail, for example.
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At a glance
WHAT: Public hearing on Texas Department of Transportation’s proposed expansion of Interstate 45
WHEN: 6 p.m. today
WHERE: Clear Springs High School, 501 Palomino Lane, League City
Details: Written and verbal comments will be accepted at the hearing. Residents also can submit written comments to the department’s Houston office at 7600 Washington Ave., or by mail to the Director of Project Development, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251, or by e-mail at HOU-PIOwebmail(at)dot.state.tx.us. All comments must be submitted by Nov. 10.
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