Loop 1604 (Houston, Anton: company, county, hired)

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

Moderator cut: orphaned

1604 is badly in need of getting an upgrade. You can't build 1000s of houses and expect the existing street system to support the increased load of traffic. Anyone who drives 1604 heading East from the far west side can understand.... 2 lanes don't cut it!

[rynetwo]

Moderator cut: orphaned

The project would already be under construction but we have a few wacks screaming it will encourage development that already exist. So in the name of Golden Cheeked warbols let's all sit in traffic.

[amexicano]

Originally Posted by satodfw

San Antonio is about 50 years behind the rest of Texas so don't keep your fingers crossed on the freeway thing.

Hmm...I would like some data to back that up. I lived in Dallas and have been to many places around Texas and don't think San Antonio is much different.

[amexicano]

Originally Posted by GEM-Texas

If the City Council would examine the glacial pace of construction - that might do some good.

On Prue Road today - we have the typical four guys just standing around.

For example, they have had the lamp post bases there for quite a bit. Install them now - while other work is going on elsewhere. But no - they will wait and then take a week to do that.

The inability to multitask is stunning. Most projects if appropriate resources and planning were instaniated would take 1/3 the time, IMHO.

Look at the DeZavala disaster where the road was ripped up and untouched for months.

Have you ever heard of Boston's Big Dig? It took them like 10 more years and $10B more than originally planned to build some tunnels underneath downtown Boston.

I lived in Dallas and it took "forever" to build 121 from Airport to Frisco.

There are many examples everywhere of construction delays, not just San Antonio.

Traveling around the country may benefit some people who think San Antonio is "50 years" behind. There's problems everywhere.

[bsofa04]

Originally Posted by amexicano

Have you ever heard of Boston's Big Dig? It took them like 10 more years and $10B more than originally planned to build some tunnels underneath downtown Boston.

I lived in Dallas and it took "forever" to build 121 from Airport to Frisco.

There are many examples everywhere of construction delays, not just San Antonio.

Traveling around the country may benefit some people who think San Antonio is "50 years" behind. There's problems everywhere.

I think it's more of the lack of progress from petty projects that the initial poster was referring to.

You talk about the big dig in Boston and 121, which had hundreds of workers and was a massive project. Not the same as Prue/DeZavala.

The Prue Rd and DeZavala Rd fiascoes are a mess for several reasons. It shouldn't take 3 years to widen a road for a mile stretch. It isn't that big of a project. But it is pretty frustrating driving by and watching the construction workers getting payed to sit on their rears. Our tax dollars at work!!

[hschulz3]

Part of the problem is that contractors allocate resources among multiple jobs. More jobs = more money, but the problem is they spread themselves too thin and the projects take longer to complete. If the city or state wants to expedite things, the solution is rather simple - offer a bonus if it is finished early. The closer the project moves towards the expected completion, the bonus goes down. After expected completion, penalties begin to accrue. I've seen it work well on road projects in other areas - contractors really ensure the resources are dedicated when there is a pot of gold at the end.

[the_dimwit]

When I lived in DC, there was a massive bridge building project (effectively replacing the 8-lane Woodrow Wilson bridge with two new spans @ six lanes each) and the ginormous I-495/95 interchange re-work. One of the tools used to expedite both projects was time bonuses. Essentially, the contractor company was paid extra $$ for each day ahead of schedule (upon completion). However, there were penalties for delays, too. And the fines were pretty steep, if I remember correctly.

I wonder if TX has similar contract rules...anyone know?

--Dim

[bsofa04]

Originally Posted by hschulz3

Part of the problem is that contractors allocate resources among multiple jobs. More jobs = more money, but the problem is they spread themselves too thin and the projects take longer to complete. If the city or state wants to expedite things, the solution is rather simple - offer a bonus if it is finished early. The closer the project moves towards the expected completion, the bonus goes down. After expected completion, penalties begin to accrue. I've seen it work well on road projects in other areas - contractors really ensure the resources are dedicated when there is a pot of gold at the end.

This. I think this is a great idea.

[teenwolf80]

Originally Posted by amexicano

Hmm...I would like some data to back that up. I lived in Dallas and have been to many places around Texas and don't think San Antonio is much different.

It's best you ignore posters who post inciteful things. There's a term for them I believe.

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

Originally Posted by rynetwo

Moderator cut: orphaned

The project would already be under construction but we have a few wacks screaming it will encourage development that already exist. So in the name of Golden Cheeked warbols let's all sit in traffic.

Warblers. Golden Cheeked Warblers.

The Environmental Impact study has already been ordered, or the first one was completed and we're waiting on the 2nd one, or something like that. Until then, enjoy your traffic by 151.