Why doesn't Houston consider building the rail system underground? Subway? (Center: mover, neighborhood)

[HookTheBrotherUp]

I know the first inclination for most will be to 'Reply' to this post and say the reason is because the water table is too high, rain, or some variant of that. But I don't buy that. I've been to too many cities in this world, including Amsterdam, where the city is below sea level, it rains often, and water is a constant threat.

If the Dutch can figure it out, I would think we in the US/Houston can figure it out too. A lot of the push back on Metro Rail now is that it disrupts the neighborhood, trashes nice big oak trees, negatively affects traffic patterns, etc. I agree with all of that.

Putting the lines underground would mean a bee line straight to the destination, none of this turning, and stopping at intersections. Metro would not have to spend so much for private property, or upset people with eminent domain laws. I bet the visitors of other cities with real metro systems laughs at ours. Plus it would do away with all those accidents we have with our Thomas The Train ride that we currently have.

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by HookTheBrotherUp

I know the first inclination for most will be to 'Reply' to this post and say the reason is because the water table is too high, rain, or some variant of that. But I don't buy that. I've been to too many cities in this world, including Amsterdam, where the city is below sea level, it rains often, and water is a constant threat.

If the Dutch can figure it out, I would think we in the US/Houston can figure it out too. A lot of the push back on Metro Rail now is that it disrupts the neighborhood, trashes nice big oak trees, negatively affects traffic patterns, etc. I agree with all of that.

Putting the lines underground would mean a bee line straight to the destination, none of this turning, and stopping at intersections. Metro would not have to spend so much for private property, or upset people with eminent domain laws. I bet the visitors of other cities with real metro systems laughs at ours. Plus it would do away with all those accidents we have with our Thomas The Train ride that we currently have.

the cost is way too high. I'd suggest using a people mover like in Detroit and Miami.

[icon7]

It is astronomically expensive today to build underground transportation systems. Also, how deep would you need to go? there are pipelines, communication lines, electrical, sewer, etc. if you go too deep, you will be in the water. I see a monorail system as being effective. or the current system with overpasses at each intersection as being an option. One idea a few friends and I were discussing one time at happy hour was a star system where rail/buses from all the large 'burb areas that have a major freeway to the loop connect to the loop and then people would take the rail to their designated work area. (CBD, Medical Center, Galleria, etc.)

[yunjuanyunshu]

oil companies don't like it

[icon7]

Wow something from someone that probably knows ZERO about an oil company. California has Bart, and rail here and there, but they have the most cars per person in the country. It is the mindset of the individual. And if mass transit were here, Oil company would then retool to make diesel or jet fuel. It is all about Supply and Demand.

Originally Posted by yunjuanyunshu

oil companies don't like it

[Mom2Feebs]

Were you not here for Allison?

[oceangaia]

Population density is much lower than in those cities with extensive subways. Better option would be elevated monorail.

[chris_ut]

Did someone say Monorail?

[Mom2Feebs]

Yeah, now see, I loved the monorail idea; I can't remember who shot that down though.

[oceangaia]

Bob Lanier, before he was mayuh.