Glad to be back, but... (Austin, Bee Cave: house, income, tax)

[FromCalitoSteinerRanch]

Well my family suffered its first loss of a loved one, but I and my wife made the decision that I would go out to CA alone since it was my grandmother.

I flew out to Ontario, and this time of year really is nice, 80F during the day, and about 42F at the night. You can open the windows, and let the whole house cool down in about 30 minutes. Did I mention no humidity?

Eating at "In-N-Out" was nice, and even made it to "Del Taco" three times, and "Alberto's Mexican Food" twice. I don't know if native Texans would like the style of burgers, egg burritios, etc I had, but to me, it was sheer indulgance.

Anyways, saw family members from years ago, and it was sad at times, but a celebration of her life.

Then, I got back to Austin. Taking (the) 360 N at 11PM I hit a red light that basically rotated green through all directions before mine, and I will never get those 128 seconds back. I should have just went through, I was the only car. Gee, magnetic loops connected to the signal timing would sure help, but too modern I guess.

Then this morning, the Travis County Bozo Club along with their lackeys at Fox New 7, err... I mean the Sheriffs and the local press played their little trick on 46 hard working tax paying citizens and gave them tickets that go up to $500 dollars. When will TXDOT get a f#$%#$%$ clue? Oh, did I mention it was nice to be bumper to bumper from the top of 2222 to 360?

Oh well. Glad to be back regardless.

[melbon7462]

Well I know what that cali weather is like!!! No place like it, so I know what you mean.... But I am sure texas is glad to have you back too!!

[orionid]

Originally Posted by FromCalitoSteinerRanch

Then, I got back to Austin. Taking (the) 360 N at 11PM I hit a red light that basically rotated green through all directions before mine, and I will never get those 128 seconds back. I should have just went through, I was the only car. Gee, magnetic loops connected to the signal timing would should help, but too modern I guess.

I think if I moved to Austin this would become a unreasonably large annoyance pretty quickly. Does anyone know why Austin doesn't incorporate traffic signal sensors to trip lights when there's low traffic? They're all over SoCal and they do help significantly. Are there plans to do this, or does the city/state just not care, budget not available, etc.?

I just keep hearing about road infrastructure problems that look like poor planning or foresight to handle population increases that they knew was coming (from interstate width to local bottlenecks like 71/BeeCaves/620 and 2222 to 360 and Bee Caves to downtown). Why?

FCtSR, I'm sorry for your loss.

[love roses]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss Hey, my husband just runs the things if it's that late at night and he sees noone else around. But as for the 46 people pulled over...No pity for them. They were passing on the shoulder and breaking a traffic law. It's not like the cops and news crew were hiding behind the bushes, they were out in full view. I saw the video report.

[AustinGuy]

Originally Posted by FromCalitoSteinerRanch

Then, I got back to Austin. Taking (the) 360 N at 11PM I hit a red light that basically rotated green through all directions before mine, and I will never get those 128 seconds back. I should have just went through, I was the only car. Gee, magnetic loops connected to the signal timing would sure help, but too modern I guess.

The lack of red light censors is one of the most frustrating things about driving in Austin (especially late at night)! What really gets me is that the city is now planning on installing red light cameras. I guess they can afford to put technology in when it brings in income to the treasury.

[love roses]

I know when we lived in Denver, they had red light cameras and it certainly quelched the fires of lots of red light runners (although, there are some who really don't care if they get a ticket and run it anyway). They also went one step further and put them on a few overpasses on I25 and if you exceeded the speed limits in those stretches...Smile You're on candid camera again.

[PeacePlease]

I like the idea of red light cameras. It is about time.

Sorry about your loss FromCali.

[AustinGuy]

Red light cameras are fine, but please install some sensors first. Austin has the poorest timing of lights mixed with general lack of red light sensors of any US city I've lived in or visited.

[cub77cub]

You mean you didn't stop at Trader Joe's while in CA??!!!!???

[Phisch]

Sorry about the loss of your grandma, Cali.