Debris along hwy 59 (Houston, Aldine, Katy: mattresses, living in, legally)

[grooveman]

I have noticed more and more debris piling up on the shoulders of US hwy 59N, specifically along the route I take every day from Roman Forest to Bush Airport. There are mattresses, dead animals, and countless other discarded items and trash everywhere. I have contacted TxDOT, and my State Reps about the issue but yet to receive a response. What happened to "Don't mess with Texas"? I see they have time to plant trees but do they ever pick up the trash?

[DejaBlue]

Tell me about it! 59N is full of trash.

A year ago, I saw a dead, bloated German Shepherd on the ramp to the Beltway heading towards Aldine Westfield. It was horrible. That dog was like a giant puffer fish. I almost needed to pull over and throw up

I want to throw up thinking about it now. It was on the larger side for Shepherds so it was huge and then add deceased bloating and you get

[houstonfan]

I wish this state would spend more money on cleaning up the trash but more importantly on fining those who trash and who carry stuff unsecured properly. I've been to other states and countries and this is one of the worse amongst 1st world countries. I've seen matresses, sofas, entire cupboards, dead dogs, laundry, lawncare equipment, not to mention all the tiny trash pieces. Embarrased for Houston.

[3shipguy]

How about having convicted drunk drivers clean up the freeways (at least the trash that piles up along it)? I believe Chris Brown had to do it albeit not for drunk driving.

[westhou]

I've seen less dead dogs along the freeway than I did a few years back. I mostly see shredded tires.

[Backinminnesota]

It is disgusting. People who dump their garbage on the roads should face serious fines. Actually, how about if you are caught illegally dumping or littering, your punishment is to spend a full day picking up garbage along the roads?

[jtothemak]

That is one thing I like about living in Phoenix for a little bit. The highways are landscaped and kept clean around the Phoenix metro area.

[sksainath]

I-10 from Katy to Beltway is full of thrash as well. Tires, buckets, cardboard boxes, plastic trash bags...I remembered seeing all those "Dont mess with Texas" signs when I moved here in 2011. Looks like Houstonians do mess with Texas!!!

[vwgto]

Get the "chain gangs" out there. There are states that still do that - - and why not?

[Mr.Awesome]

The problem is a general lack of enforcement. As Houston fan said, the number of people carrying unsecured loads is way too high. I know everyone hates traffic enforcement, but it would be great to throw a few more traffic units up on the freeway to stop and ticket the idiots who think they can move all their life possessions in a tiny pickup truck with one strap thrown on the back.