US 281 changing to interstate? (Houston, San Antonio: house, live, authority)

[talkispoison]

I remember a while back (at least 10-15 years ago) I heard that 281 was eventually going to become an interstate. Anyone know anything about this?

[gguerra]

US Hwy 281 will become Interstate 69 central. US Hwy 77 will be I69e and US Hwy 59 will be I69w.

From Wikipedia

"In Texas, I-69 planning has become part of the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC) studies. This part of the TTC, called I-69/TTC, includes I-69 and all of its spurs authorized by Congress. It will extend from three border crossings, at Laredo, McAllen, and Brownsville, along US 59, US 281, and US 77 towards Victoria. After the three branches join, I-69 will continue along the general US 59 corridor past Houston to Carthage, where it will turn easterly to Louisiana. Around Houston, I-69 may use the Grand Parkway (SH 99) around the west side or follow the US-59 freeway through downtown. A planned branch continues north on US 59 to Texarkana. Most of the proposed I-69 route in Texas already exists as 4-lane highways, with a lengthy freeway section stretching north and south of Houston along U.S. 59 and shorter freeway sections of U.S. 77, U.S. 83, and U.S. 281 in the Rio Grande Valley."

[talkispoison]

I thought the TTC was dead?

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by talkispoison

I thought the TTC was dead?

In name only. You're going to see private toll roads become the norm in the US thanks to the fiscal crapper we're in.

[catman]

That's all in SE Texas. US 281 runs all the way from San Antonio to Mineral Wells and beyond, and is much preferable to I-35 IMO.

[AMAPO]

Originally Posted by talkispoison

I remember a while back (at least 10-15 years ago) I heard that 281 was eventually going to become an interstate. Anyone know anything about this?

USR281 will eventually become I69 but only the section from McAllen to the USR281-USR59 intersection from there it will go northeast to Houston following th USR59 route.

But then again we are talking about 20 to 30 years from now.

[cmacemm]

Will it be freeway through Mineral Wells and Stephenville?

[TexasHorseLady]

Trans Texas Corridor Is Dead, Again.

"Ding-dong:The Trans-Texas Corridor is dead. Again. TxDOT and Perry a couple of years ago publicly declared deceased the governor's grandiose and controversial plan for a network of tollways, railways and utility lines crisscrossing the state. But the state Transportation Code is still pockmarked with references to the corridor — and still gives TxDOT authority to revive it.

The Legislature dropped a house on it, then melted it with water just to be sure. The corridor will be erased from the statutes if Perry signs SB 1420, as expected."

[Philip T]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Trans Texas Corridor Is Dead, Again.

"Ding-dong:The Trans-Texas Corridor is dead. Again. TxDOT and Perry a couple of years ago publicly declared deceased the governor's grandiose and controversial plan for a network of tollways, railways and utility lines crisscrossing the state. But the state Transportation Code is still pockmarked with references to the corridor — and still gives TxDOT authority to revive it.

The Legislature dropped a house on it, then melted it with water just to be sure. The corridor will be erased from the statutes if Perry signs SB 1420, as expected."

These folks are more like Freddy Kruger than the Wicked Witch(es) from The Wizard of Oz.

As soon as they think folks have went to sleep, they will be up and alive again.