New Developments/Projects in Houston (Richmond, River Oaks: swimming pool, housing, estimated)

[madrone2k]

It's kinda sad, because I think the anti-rail folks have succeeded -- perhaps unintentionally, for most -- in getting Houston into a situation that is the worst of worlds for all of us. That is, an underfunded and poorly designed mess of a rail system that interferes with street traffic. My preference would be a good rail system or none at all (which is what the anti-rail crowd would be happiest with). Rather than try to explain here, I suggest you google Whitmire + Honolulu. Even if you don't like her, I think she gives a good explanation of why Houston failed and why Honolulu may succeed.

[blkgiraffe]

I believe people would be in much more support of rail expansion if the city invested into a more efficent and quality system. We're really just settling here.

I want rail just as much as the next rail enthusiast, but what we're getting is bull****. They could have at least elevated the damn thing.

[SouthernBoy205]

Designers envision new future for Galveston Bay waterfront | Prime Property | a Chron.com blog

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by blkgiraffe

I believe people would be in much more support of rail expansion if the city invested into a more efficent and quality system. We're really just settling here.

I want rail just as much as the next rail enthusiast, but what we're getting is bull****. They could have at least elevated the damn thing.

If Houston could stop expanding and building new freeways and direct the funding to mass transit then they could afford to build a decent system. But no, first they have to widen 610N, 45N, and 290.

[Spade]

Originally Posted by blkgiraffe

I believe people would be in much more support of rail expansion if the city invested into a more efficent and quality system. We're really just settling here.

I want rail just as much as the next rail enthusiast, but what we're getting is bull****. They could have at least elevated the damn thing.

Because again, what you're getting is a tram. If they called it what it actually is, there wouldn't be as much confusion. This is in London. It's exactly like what Houston is building.

Part of a London tram circuit - YouTube

What you all are looking for is a rapid transit system. Or basically a light metro or heavy metro rail system. Houston is not building this.

[HouTXmetro]

Originally Posted by HtownLove

Not Dead, but Diverted. It Went from Westheimer and Post Oak, to Richmond and Post Oak now, last I heard it will be near Bellaire and Rice. That is of a Gulfton line than a Galleria Line and the Ridership won't be anywhere near as much as the Original University line running nearer the Galleria.

That's quite sad as well.....do you have any maps/renderings of the newest route?

[HouTXmetro]

Originally Posted by blkgiraffe

I believe people would be in much more support of rail expansion if the city invested into a more efficent and quality system. We're really just settling here.

I want rail just as much as the next rail enthusiast, but what we're getting is bull****. They could have at least elevated the damn thing.

I agree, but the anti rail lobby in houston has a lot of clout. it's unfortunate that this is what we are stuck with......Perhaps after light rail is completed within the Loop we can get a different type of rail out to the beltways.

[Spade]

Originally Posted by HouTXmetro

I agree, but the anti rail lobby in houston has a lot of clout. it's unfortunate that this is what we are stuck with......Perhaps after light rail is completed within the Loop we can get a different type of rail out to the beltways.

Not only will the rail have to be different outside the loop. It must go inside it as well and it must be rapid transit. The current rail as it stands will run no faster than 30 mph and it stops at traffic lights. Who in the world is going to take that from IAH to Downtown Houston? Or from Katy to Uptown. You can build light rail. But make sure it has it's own ROW. Elevated could work in Houston.

[HouTXmetro]

I would have preferred elevated Rail like they have in Singapore.


Singapore MTR

[HtownLove]

Originally Posted by HouTXmetro

That's quite sad as well.....do you have any maps/renderings of the newest route?

for half of its run it will be south of 59:


It runs through a heavily populated area but NOT the galleria area as previously planned. So that means it doesn't run along Westheimer, Alabama, Richmond or Westpark in the Galleria.

Originally Posted by HouTXmetro

I would have preferred elevated Rail like they have in Singapore.


Singapore MTR

maybe we will get one of those straight down Westheimer in the future.

The University line would be far enough to not be overkill.