Loop 1604 is a joke (Houston, San Antonio: taxes, living, association)

[n0vemberHAWK]

This highway is PATHETIC!

From the intersection of I35 and 1604 to the intersection of Bandera and 1604 is fine.

But


From 1604 past Bandera, such as Braun Rd., and Shaenfield Rd sucks. I mean, 1604 goes from a regular highway to a freaking regular road with traffic lights at those intersections and causes a huge back up no matter the time of the day!

Then at 1604 and Culebra is is normal again but sure enough right past that at 1604 and hwy 151, its a freaking traffic light again!

Then past that all the way it goes to 1 lane each way with traffic lights!

Moronic!

And sure, they are expanding that to two lanes each way but there will still be traffic lights!

These people are morons!

Do they now realize that we need it to be a real highways with overpasses,NOT TRAFFIC lights!?

Sorry for venting, but the traffic is already ridiculous and it will only get worse!

The city needs to recognize this and make 1604 a real highway all the way around WITHOUT TRAFFIC LIGHTS!

[Latinocowboy]

No doubt that there are serious traffice issues. Also no doubt that it is in the city's plans to do something about it. The real issue is timing and most likely... funds.

Traffic during rush hour in those areas rivals what NYC traffic is like on some scale.

[n0vemberHAWK]

Originally Posted by Latinocowboy

No doubt that there are serious traffice issues. Also no doubt that it is in the city's plans to do something about it. The real issue is timing and most likely... funds.

Traffic during rush hour in those areas rivals what NYC traffic is like on some scale.

Plans are not enough.

We need action!

Now!

I don't care if we have to get toll roads, I am all for it.

Just make the highway a real honest highway and stop using traffic signals. All that does is make it more congested.

This is just ridiculous!

We need action and we need it now!

[RedOregon]

I attended a meeting of the Westcreek homeowner's association when the 4-lane expansion started. There was a local politician there along with TXDOT reps.

Supposedly (consider the source) our side of 1604 is scheduled to become a true freeway about 10 years down the road. The current widening is a step in that direction; once it's finished, it would just be a matter of changing intersections from stop lights to flyovers. Sure, it would be easier and make more sense to do it all at once (widen *and* build flyovers), but the money just isn't there. San Antonio has always been a ******* stepchild and most of the money goes to DFW and Houston, in an unfair proportion when you take into account where the tax dollars come from, but that's politicians for you.

I agree with you, but I'm happy at least that we got 4 lanes for the time being. Now if they'd just OPEN THEM UP!!

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

This is less a governmental funding issue as it is one for the developers and the city/county. These projects should not have been approved in outlying areas without assurances of improved infrastructure. People complaining about traffic along the formerly rural part of the 1604 have only themselves to blame.

[n0vemberHAWK]

Originally Posted by LivingLikeAGradStudent

This is less a governmental funding issue as it is one for the developers and the city/county. These projects should not have been approved in outlying areas without assurances of improved infrastructure. People complaining about traffic along the formerly rural part of the 1604 have only themselves to blame.

Whatever the reason, it MUST be taken care of ASAP!

[RedOregon]

Originally Posted by LivingLikeAGradStudent

This is less a governmental funding issue as it is one for the developers and the city/county. These projects should not have been approved in outlying areas without assurances of improved infrastructure. People complaining about traffic along the formerly rural part of the 1604 have only themselves to blame.

Think about it, that's kind of a "chicken and egg" scenario. Don't develop unless we have assurances of improved infrastructure... but why are they going to improve the infrastructure without the development to require it? How many politicians do you think would commit tax dollars (and therefore their reputations) to improving infrastructure because something might be built somewhere? Granted it's a mess, but until people build, the infrastructure isn't going to be built.

Just my humble opinion, wouldn't surprise me if some PhD comes along and tears me to shreds

[Guerilla]

Originally Posted by RedOregon

I attended a meeting of the Westcreek homeowner's association when the 4-lane expansion started. There was a local politician there along with TXDOT reps.

Supposedly (consider the source) our side of 1604 is scheduled to become a true freeway about 10 years down the road. The current widening is a step in that direction; once it's finished, it would just be a matter of changing intersections from stop lights to flyovers. Sure, it would be easier and make more sense to do it all at once (widen *and* build flyovers), but the money just isn't there. San Antonio has always been a ******* stepchild and most of the money goes to DFW and Houston, in an unfair proportion when you take into account where the tax dollars come from, but that's politicians for you.

I agree with you, but I'm happy at least that we got 4 lanes for the time being. Now if they'd just OPEN THEM UP!!

I actually think Houston and DFW produce more money for the state. We have a higher GDP.

[210]

Originally Posted by n0vemberHAWK

Whatever the reason, it MUST be taken care of ASAP!

Unless you or someone you know is able to donate 700 million - 1 billion dollars at the drop of a hat, it just doesn't happen like that.

[n0vemberHAWK]

Originally Posted by 210

Unless you or someone you know is able to donate 700 million - 1 billion dollars at the drop of a hat, it just doesn't happen like that.

Raise our taxes $150 dollars a year for the next 2 years.

That would do it.