Grand Parkway expansion between I-10 in Katy and U.S. 290 in the Cypress Area will open next week (Houston: design, metro)

[Trae713]

99 needs another lane between 10 and 1093. They also should put up some aux lanes like at the westheimer parkway entrance/exit. Those things help a lot. And on that ramp going southbound on 99 from 10W, a lot of the problem is people braking stupidly as they go up that huge incline that will slow them down anyways. The braking and driving too close causes the chain reaction, and thengoing down, people get scared and brake some more. Some jump out to the left lane quick only to drive side by side to the driver next to them when there are only two lanes to use.

[sksainath]

Originally Posted by Trae713

99 needs another lane between 10 and 1093. They also should put up some aux lanes like at the westheimer parkway entrance/exit. Those things help a lot. And on that ramp going southbound on 99 from 10W, a lot of the problem is people braking stupidly as they go up that huge incline that will slow them down anyways. The braking and driving too close causes the chain reaction, and thengoing down, people get scared and brake some more. Some jump out to the left lane quick only to drive side by side to the driver next to them when there are only two lanes to use.

Watching the way drivers cut in line and then brake at the top of the ramp continues to amuse me. I really wanna just pull them all over and find out what they are thinking...I just want to know what goes on in their head...

[trekbiker]

Maybe this should be in a new thread, but any chance segment C from 59 (I-69) to 288 will be built anytime soon?

[sksainath]

Originally Posted by trekbiker

Maybe this should be in a new thread, but any chance segment C from 59 (I-69) to 288 will be built anytime soon?

I believe 2016. They will finish the stretch from 59 to 1093 first.

[Johnhw2]

This route along Fairfield was set in 1983 when land was dedicated to this use. Due diligence is key when buying, hire a professional always for situations like this. You pay a good commission for a professional so they will advise you and may retain some liability if they do not.

[rynetwo]

Considering Houston is suppose to have 14,405,099 people by 2050 y'all may need another loop!

2012 Population Projections by Migration Scenario for Texas

[sksainath]

Originally Posted by rynetwo

Considering Houston is suppose to have 14,405,099 people by 2050 y'all may need another loop!

2012 Population Projections by Migration Scenario for Texas

Can this loop take us to Austin????

[hbcu]

Originally Posted by Johnhw2

This route along Fairfield was set in 1983 when land was dedicated to this use. Due diligence is key when buying, hire a professional always for situations like this. You pay a good commission for a professional so they will advise you and may retain some liability if they do not.

I remember the big sign they put up on 290 saying where it will be located. It came down a few years back right when Fairfield started heading that way

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by sksainath

It will indeed result in more sprawl but it is needed imo because it will give people good access from sugarland-katy-cypress. Houston freeways were obviously built to have a dense urban core but for whatever reason it has become an suburban sprawl. This expansion serves the existing population well. As far the lightrail is concerned, I fully support it because I was very used to BART (SF bay area). But the problem (very shortsighted I agree) is that the lightrail will take a decade to expand anywhere near Katy whereas pouring more concrete can be relatively faster. Ultimately this expansion will populate the area between Katy and Cypress. But the City and perhaps even the Country does things on a knee-jerk reaction and does not have the foresight to plan things in advance.

It may seem like the Grand Parkway happened quickly, but it's been planned for 30+ years.

Light rail will need to be deployed differently than the current scheme if you want suburban extensions. Do you want to ride 20+ miles on what is basically an enhanced streetcar? That would take forever.

Rail (of whatever variety) could happen more quickly if the local leadership (both government and business) really, truly wanted it too. They would find a way to get the money needed. The $ amounts are huge (rail is really, really expensive) but when all the local bigwigs are truly committed, you can come up with it much faster - otherwise you're just in a queue for federal largesse that takes forever.

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by Neo45

Is this the loop that's going to be around the beltway?

Yes, Houston will have 5 loops once the Grand Parkway is completed.