Comments on state of the roads (Houston, Dallas: shop, move, rail)

[cBach]

I've been in Dallas this week, commuting around and I've noticed that even at rush hour the traffic moves really fast. The roads are very wide and it's apparent that the State of Texas likes Dallas more than Austin. For example 121 is better than I-35 and 121 is just a small little freeway here.

When are we going to face the fact that we have been shafted by the State Government. We always blame the City Council but it's obvious that every part of the state gets more money because of this reason: we are Democrats and the state is run by Republicans so they "punish" us.

This is the elephant in the China Shop that nobody talks about. They say "it's NIMBY folks" and stuff like that but let's be real, we get a pittance from the State.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by cBach

I've been in Dallas this week, commuting around and I've noticed that even at rush hour the traffic moves really fast. The roads are very wide and it's apparent that the State of Texas likes Dallas more than Austin. For example 121 is better than I-35 and 121 is just a small little freeway here.

When are we going to face the fact that we have been shafted by the State Government. We always blame the City Council but it's obvious that every part of the state gets more money because of this reason: we are Democrats and the state is run by Republicans so they "punish" us.

This is the elephant in the China Shop that nobody talks about. They say "it's NIMBY folks" and stuff like that but let's be real, we get a pittance from the State.

I personally think its a combination of alot of things.

In the history between DFW and Austin, only recently has Austin really began to incite itself as becoming a larger city. Prior to this, Austinites as well as some local politicians desired Austin to retain the government roles while the large city roles were retained by DFW and Houston. Because of this - Austin never really planned to become a larger city therefor they did not upgrade roads. Also Austin has many more environmentally sensitive areas than DFW has as well which being in one of the more scenic areas in Texas, definitely raises NIMBY concerns. Then of course they also held off on upgrading highways in Austin in hopes people would not come, or people would use transit - neither of which happened...so now they are struggling to catch up.

While its definitely not DFW, Austin actually does have a fairly significant amount of on-going highway projects. Like 183 between 290 and 71...and also 45. I am wondering if they will be successful at completing 45 on the western side making it a full loop.

Otherwise I also believe Austin will need to expand rail services.. While I absolutely love Texas highways, building up completely car-dependent metropolises kind of worries me.

[Bp25]

Most new freeways in DFW, including 121, are toll roads. So they will always be better maintained than TXDOT maintained roads. I believe funding for TXDOT roads is terrible across the state.
But if you compare city maintained roads between Dallas suburbs and Austin, Dallas suburbs win hands down. Compare Austin proper with Dallas proper, we are mostly on par - both are terrible.

[JackGriffin]

Comparing 121 in Dallas to I35 in Austin isn't really a fair comparison. Compare I35 in both cities. They are both terrible. 121 Toll and 183 Toll/45 Toll are better comparisons, and are very similar.

Traffic does move a lot better in Dallas during the heavy periods, though.

[ScoPro]

But we are constantly told by Austin’s anti-car“mobility” crowd that “studies” show new automobile lane additions do not help traffic flow.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by cBach

I've been in Dallas this week, commuting around and I've noticed that even at rush hour the traffic moves really fast. The roads are very wide and it's apparent that the State of Texas likes Dallas more than Austin. For example 121 is better than I-35 and 121 is just a small little freeway here.

When are we going to face the fact that we have been shafted by the State Government. We always blame the City Council but it's obvious that every part of the state gets more money because of this reason: we are Democrats and the state is run by Republicans so they "punish" us.

This is the elephant in the China Shop that nobody talks about. They say "it's NIMBY folks" and stuff like that but let's be real, we get a pittance from the State.

Often times people in the city protested roads. For example 360 was supposed to have all lights removed in the early 2000s. It was protested by people in davenport ranch etc. TX dot took their money elsewhere. We are finally getting 360 without lights, 20 years later.


Environmentalists regularly actively block new roads and bridges.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by cBach

I've been in Dallas this week, commuting around and I've noticed that even at rush hour the traffic moves really fast. The roads are very wide and it's apparent that the State of Texas likes Dallas more than Austin. For example 121 is better than I-35 and 121 is just a small little freeway here.

When are we going to face the fact that we have been shafted by the State Government. We always blame the City Council but it's obvious that every part of the state gets more money because of this reason: we are Democrats and the state is run by Republicans so they "punish" us.

This is the elephant in the China Shop that nobody talks about. They say "it's NIMBY folks" and stuff like that but let's be real, we get a pittance from the State.

Wrong premise. Dallas likes TXDot and what it can do for trafic more than Austin.

Austin repeatedly loses funding for projects when the no-build crowd sues, and the money is moved to other projects that are ready to go.

Didn't it take about 20 years to get SW45 done?

The Oak Hill freeway was approved in the 1980s. Still not done. Never-ending obstruction for the no build camp.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

Wrong premise. Dallas likes TXDot and what it can do for trafic more than Austin.

Austin repeatedly loses funding for projects when the no-build crowd sues, and the money is moved to other projects that are ready to go.

Didn't it take about 20 years to get SW45 done?

The Oak Hill freeway was approved in the 1980s. Still not done. Never-ending obstruction for the no build camp.

What is the Oak Hill Freeway?

-- Edit: Also do you think there may be any chance of U.S. 290 becoming a freeway out to I-10 west of San Antonio?

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

What is the Oak Hill Freeway?

-- Edit: Also do you think there may be any chance of U.S. 290 becoming a freeway out to I-10 west of San Antonio?

This is the history of the "Y" at Oak Hill freeway/tollroad/parkway (it's been termed different things over the years) since CAMPO was involved I think, 1988. The original approval was 1983 if I remember right. 36 freaking years ago. Still nothing but surface roads and traffic lights.

SOS has been suing for a long time, just as it did to try to stop SW 45. I don't think they have that sort of resistence in Dallas, so it gets its roads built.

https://www.oakhillparkway.com/about...ct-history.php

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

Didn't it take about 20 years to get SW45 done?

Closer to 30.