Quick question about the Sam Houston Tollway (Kemah, Buffalo: bills, land)

[Thoreau424]

It's been a number of years since I've been on the east side, but I remember Beltway 8 not being complete in sections. It would transition to just feeder road, with empty land in-between for future extension of the toll-freeway.

So, between I-45 and IAH (the big airport), is the beltway a continuous freeway? I'm guessing they finished it years ago.

Also, what's that drive like on Monday morning, say between 7:00 - 8:00 AM? I know there's always the uncertainty of an accident and tie-ups, but what's the general impression? I'm trying to update myself for a visit.

[Mr. Clutch]

Originally Posted by Thoreau424

It's been a number of years since I've been on the east side, but I remember Beltway 8 not being complete in sections. It would transition to just feeder road, with empty land in-between for future extension of the toll-freeway.

So, between I-45 and IAH (the big airport), is the beltway a continuous freeway? I'm guessing they finished it years ago.

Also, what's that drive like on Monday morning, say between 7:00 - 8:00 AM? I know there's always the uncertainty of an accident and tie-ups, but what's the general impression? I'm trying to update myself for a visit.

I don't use it enough to give you an idea of the traffic situation, but its been a full freeway the entire way around for years. That part, you don't have to worry about.

[hendersj31]

Its much more narrow on the East side as well. I think it may be 2 lanes each direction between 225 and around Fairmont parkway.

Check the transtar map tomorrow morning during that time it should reveal the average travel speeds.

[DRob4JC]

Originally Posted by hendersj31

Its much more narrow on the East side as well. I think it may be 2 lanes each direction between 225 and around Fairmont parkway.

Check the transtar map tomorrow morning during that time it should reveal the average travel speeds.

The website also has cameras. You can look for yourself.

Beltway 8 East

[Synott]

All sections of the beltway have been completed since the late 1990s, it is now a continuous loop.

Traffic between 7:00-8:00 isn’t as bad compared to freeways.

[Thoreau424]

Originally Posted by Synott

All sections of the beltway have been completed since the late 1990s, it is now a continuous loop.

That isn't true. I traveled on the east side in 2003, and some of the NE sections were not completed. The feeder roads were there, but only grass where the freeway section was to be. There was at least 5 miles or so that were that way.

I found this link, and second picture down, it shows what I'm talking about. And that was from 2001.
http://www.texasfreeway.com/houston/...nes_east.shtml

[tstone]

It is EZ tag only from 225 to 59.

[shanv3]

Originally Posted by Thoreau424

It's been a number of years since I've been on the east side, but I remember Beltway 8 not being complete in sections. It would transition to just feeder road, with empty land in-between for future extension of the toll-freeway.

So, between I-45 and IAH (the big airport), is the beltway a continuous freeway? I'm guessing they finished it years ago.

Also, what's that drive like on Monday morning, say between 7:00 - 8:00 AM? I know there's always the uncertainty of an accident and tie-ups, but what's the general impression? I'm trying to update myself for a visit.

I was coming from Kemah to IAH and at some points it was not a freeway. I got some toll violatio bills later by mail. To be exact, there was a huge bridge and at that point it was not a freeway.

[Thoreau424]

Originally Posted by shanv3

I was coming from Kemah to IAH and at some points it was not a freeway. I got some toll violatio bills later by mail. To be exact, there was a huge bridge and at that point it was not a freeway.

When was this? From Kemah, you might use other roads like 146 and 225, but I'm strictly talking about the east side and northeast side of the toll road.

There's a "huge bridge" over Buffalo Bayou / ship channel that is part of the beltway. Is that what you're talking about?

[Thoreau424]

Originally Posted by tstone

It is EZ tag only from 225 to 59.

Do you mean 225 counterclockwise to 59 (east side, north side, and west side), or clockwise (primarily the south side)?

Have they done away with the toll booths where you can pay cash? I thought I saw them still being used as of last December.

I've mostly used the south and west sides of the toll road. It's the east and northeast that will be important next time.