Colorado radio host raving about DFW infrastructure (Dallas, Austin: 2015, employment)

[unbeliever]

Not sure what to make of it, but I heard a local talk show host saying that he just got back from the DFW area and going on about how great the roads are. I've spent quite a bit of time in Dallas, but all I've ever noticed is the traffic. Are you that happy with your roads?

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by unbeliever

Not sure what to make of it, but I heard a local talk show host saying that he just got back from the DFW area and going on about how great the roads are. I've spent quite a bit of time in Dallas, but all I've ever noticed is the traffic. Are you that happy with your roads?

By any sane standard the freeway and tollway systems here are amazing - among the best in world regarding very large cities.
We have traffic but we also have 7 million people lots of whom insist on living a long way from work and crowding towards the area's employment centers every day.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Yes, I get where I want to go with a minimum of trouble. I drive toll roads nearly daily.

[Rakin]

Our Roads and our women are both outstanding. There are a few of both around that need work.

8 million people do cause heavy traffic at times.

[unbeliever]

8 million isn't a large population to me, but I'm from NYC. I remember going to Dallas in the late 90s and the growth was similar to, but probably worse, than what we're experiencing in Colorado right now. Anyway, it's good to hear that some people are actually positive about traffic in their region. I never thought I'd read that.

[platon20]

DFW is OK, but Oklahoma City is even better.

Yes OKC has far fewer people than DFW but their grid design is far superior.

OKC has a true square/rectangular traffic grid. That means if I-35 has a major wreck, it's very easy to get off the interstate and use the side streets to get around the obstruction. In many places in DFW that's impossible to do and you have no choice but to wait for the wreck to clear.

OKC has a true access road system along the interstates. DFW has partial coverage with access roads, but it's not consistent across all of them. Access roads are incredibly helpful to avoid congestion/wrecks.

True square/rectangle grid means that you don't have to be precise when you are going to a new destination. There are many ways to get to the same destination. With DFW's grid, frequently there is one (and only one) route to get to your destination. That means more getting lost, getting rerouted due to construction, etc

[Gilah G.]

You guys are BLESSED!!
Lived there from 2000 to 2015.
The infrastructure is pristine!!!!!
How I miss those highways and streets.
I'm in Atlanta now and This state could learn Alot from Texas, especially Dallas.

[FalconheadWest]

Originally Posted by platon20

True square/rectangle grid means that you don't have to be precise when you are going to a new destination. There are many ways to get to the same destination. With DFW's grid, frequently there is one (and only one) route to get to your destination. That means more getting lost, getting rerouted due to construction, etc

This is so far from the truth. Much of Dallas is on a grid. It's not all going exactly east and west or north and south as there are areas where the grid is diagonal, but you always have multiple ways to get everywhere in Dallas.

Maybe you're thinking about Austin because there is no grid whatsoever in Austin and it's usually 1 route anywhere.

[rantanamo]

dallas has two grids. Diagonal just north of the river and to the east in the inner city parts, but most of the rest of Dallas and northern suburbs are on a north south grid. There are plenty of ways to get to your destination. When I direct someone to Frisco or Plano, I often send them on regular surface streets like Preston or Hillcrest. Pretty easy to get east/west or north/south on surface streets here.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by platon20

DFW is OK, but Oklahoma City is even better.

Yes OKC has far fewer people than DFW but their grid design is far superior.

OKC has a true square/rectangular traffic grid. That means if I-35 has a major wreck, it's very easy to get off the interstate and use the side streets to get around the obstruction. In many places in DFW that's impossible to do and you have no choice but to wait for the wreck to clear.

OKC has a true access road system along the interstates. DFW has partial coverage with access roads, but it's not consistent across all of them. Access roads are incredibly helpful to avoid congestion/wrecks.

True square/rectangle grid means that you don't have to be precise when you are going to a new destination. There are many ways to get to the same destination. With DFW's grid, frequently there is one (and only one) route to get to your destination. That means more getting lost, getting rerouted due to construction, etc

That's wildly overstated.
1. There is never only one way to get to a destination in DFW. That's just a preposterous claim.
2. I'm in OKC 8-10x per year. I can take you to all manner of large freeways that have between no or limited access road coverage I-35 north of I-40, I-235 North of I-40, much of I-44 to the north etc.
3. Although not as strict as OKC or Tulsa Dallas does have grid patterns.

BTW - I am a fan of grid street patterns.