SH130 to be the new I-35? (Houston, Dallas: buy, subdivisions, quality of life)

[1mintjulep]

If they toll I-35, then I hope nobody who lives in RR or Cedar Park expects me to come visit them, since they already toll Mopac & 183 out that way.

[cBach]

Swap the roads, toll the "old I-35" which would be 130, and use the money to finish the Y at Oak Hill, Manor Expressway, 183, etc...

My personal preference would be a "Big Dig" style project on I-35 from Lady Bird Lake to around 183 and convert the area above into parkland. I know that's not going to happen, but I can dream.

However, on a pragmatic level, this swapping of interstates should help a bit. At least it will increase toll revenue to fund other roads.

[feconi]

Originally Posted by cBach

My personal preference would be a "Big Dig" style project on I-35 from Lady Bird Lake to around 183 and convert the area above into parkland.

I agree, this would be the ideal solution.

[DenverBrian]

So much of this is theoretical argument, so here's my $.02 for the discussion:

--Reroute I-35 to the 130 corridor; sign it as I-35.
--On the new alignment I-35, significantly reduce tolls for cars (but don't completely eliminate them); maintain and/or increase tolls for trucks; require all through trucks to use I-35 and enforce this with heavy fines.
--On the old I-35 through Austin, re-sign as I-335 (a spur route). Do a massive rebuild of the road to increase lanes to at least 8, plus light rail. During the construction, allow for 3 lanes of traffic, cars only, using a 2/1 and 1/2 configuration during rush hours with "zipper lanes."
--Use design/build strategies to complete reconstruction quickly - say, 3 years max.
--After 3 years of tremendous ickiness around the I-335 corridor, open it up; continue to force through trucks to use I-35 and re-adjust tolling on I-35 to allow for increased traffic on I-335.

And we're done. For 20-30 years.

[love roses]

Originally Posted by DANNYY

Are these people idiots?

Why cant they do the smart thing and make 290 into an Interstate? Like they should at least apply for federal funding to make that happen. Austin's roads are the worst I have ever had the displeasure to drive on, I love the city but everytime I go out to get food or whatever I just really hate my life because of the roads.

Isn't 290 already an interstate? It goes all the way to Houston.

[love roses]

Originally Posted by 1mintjulep

If they toll I-35, then I hope nobody who lives in RR or Cedar Park expects me to come visit them, since they already toll Mopac & 183 out that way.

Take untolled back roads.

[love roses]

Originally Posted by 1mintjulep

So, I just looked on Google Maps to see where 130 even was. Um...it would be completely useless for me. Looks like it would take me a good 45 minutes just to get to it from where I live, and would increase my travel time to just about anywhere I needed to go, no matter how little traffic there was.

Seriously, this thing is in the middle of nowhere!

The middle of nowhere has been growing quite a bit, and even though it may be out of the way for you, it's not out of the way for others. It increases my travel time to go all the way to 35. So I guess I would be happy with a lower toll charge or taking the toll away completely and having them toll 35.

[DANNYY]

Originally Posted by love roses

Isn't 290 already an interstate? It goes all the way to Houston.

No it's just a state highway or freeway. Not an Interstate by any means, Austin's only Interstate is Interstate 35 (I-35).

[1mintjulep]

Originally Posted by love roses

The middle of nowhere has been growing quite a bit, and even though it may be out of the way for you, it's not out of the way for others. It increases my travel time to go all the way to 35. So I guess I would be happy with a lower toll charge or taking the toll away completely and having them toll 35.

Right, so let's just inconvenience everyone who lives in the city of Austin for the sake of people who live in places like Hutto.

[AustinSpartan]

Originally Posted by love roses

The middle of nowhere has been growing quite a bit, and even though it may be out of the way for you, it's not out of the way for others. It increases my travel time to go all the way to 35. So I guess I would be happy with a lower toll charge or taking the toll away completely and having them toll 35.

According to this 2010 population density map from the City of Austin, you're wrong.

http://www.austinchamber.com/DoBusiness/GreaterAustinProfile/PopDensity2010.pdf (broken link)

It would be completely asinine to believe that based on the current population density of the city that individuals would subject themselves to longer commutes. If an individual wanted to head downtown, they'd have to drive to 71 and then pay a toll to take 35 north back into downtown? There has to be a better way, and this is not it. This is a half-assed idea, that will only cause more problems for area motorists.