The toll roads (Houston, Austin, Spring: to live, costs, legally)

[love roses]

I don't like that the money goes to a Spanish company, but I DO like that I don't have to drive all the way to 35 to get anywhere now. It was meant to alleviate congestion on 35.

[orbius]

The old guard of Austin supported the toll roads to prevent sprawl. They're determined not to let Austin degenerate into Houston style sprawl that starts to rot neighborhoods surrounding the new sprawl within 10 years.
I complain about the traffic snarls toll roads dont alleviate. But looking at how the 183 corridor has become run down with adult book stores and half empty strip malls and monthly rate motels within 10 years. I think I agree with their decision.
Downtown is much more vibrant than it has been in years and its all because of the toll roads IMO.

[tourbound129]

I'm not sure when the planning for 45 and 183A started but I do know that the original plans for 130 were drawn back in the mid-1980's.

[orbius]

Originally Posted by tourbound129

I'm not sure when the planning for 45 and 183A started but I do know that the original plans for 130 were drawn back in the mid-1980's.

The plans originally were for 360 to be a major highway also. But they decided against it to prevent sprawl I believe.
Theres a lot of wealthy and influential individuals in Austin mortally opposed to sprawl.

[mimimomx3]

I don't really care about the toll roads- I've never driven on one- but I would be pretty upset if they tolled existing roads like Mopac, 360 and 35.

[tmcd]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

I don't really care about the toll roads- I've never driven on one- but I would be pretty upset if they tolled existing roads like Mopac, 360 and 35.

The CTRMA (mobility authority that oversees 183-A) tried to put tolls on Hwy 183 between Spicewood Springs Road and 620 when the overpasses on that road were nearing completion, despite the fact that the overpasses had been built with taxpayer money. Only a large public outcry stopped them.

I recall hearing a few years ago that a fourth lane could be added to Mopac at a low cost just by restriping and narrowing the existing lanes. Anyone know why that proposal went nowhere?

[1mintjulep]

Originally Posted by treybrad

1950's -- Here's a neat site with some great pics:

TexasFreeway > Austin > Historic Information > Historic Photos

trey

Those pictures are pretty depressing after you look at them for a while. "Hey, here's a cute little neighborhood with trees and cute little houses - I know, let's build an interstate right through the middle of it!"

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Anyone got a time machine? I'd like to jump in and go back please.

[sxrckr]

Originally Posted by orbius

The old guard of Austin supported the toll roads to prevent sprawl. They're determined not to let Austin degenerate into Houston style sprawl that starts to rot neighborhoods surrounding the new sprawl within 10 years.

What are you talking about in bold?

'Houston style' sprawl? Sounds like a back-handed comment to me.

Sprawl happens with sufficient roads or not, doesn't it? People have to live somewhere, and the developers want to make money. The only way to stop it is to prevent the development of the land in the first place.

Originally Posted by orbius

Downtown is much more vibrant than it has been in years and its all because of the toll roads IMO.

Downtown Houston is more vibrant than it's probably been in 20 years. Yet, it has the 'Houston style sprawl' right? And a much better functioning roadway system for commuting residents. So much for that theory.

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by orbius

The old guard of Austin supported the toll roads to prevent sprawl.

I'm not sure I understand why building toll roads prevents sprawl. Please explain. I think the only way to actually prevent sprawl is to actually state that building will be prohibited beyond x point, or no water hook ups, etc. My experience has been that building more roads encourages development.