In a recent speech, the mayor called for a "paradigm shift." Instead of concentrating on widening highways and encouraging more use of autos - with single occupants - the city broaden the types of transportation opinion available to residents.
For more on the subject:
- Houston Mayor Calls for “Paradigm Shift” Away From Highway Widening.
- Talking Points for Turner's speech to the Texas Transportation Commission.
- Turner's transportation platform.
- New Houston Mayor to Texas DOT: Wider Roads Mean More Traffic.
As of yet, these are still merely proposals. Texas continues on a trajectory the focuses primarily on highways construction. Much of this is built into the Texas Constitution. Funding for highways is designated in the document and strong constituencies exist to continue highways construction in the state. There's lots of money spent on highways, and the businesses who profit from those expenditures are not anxious to give it up. As of now the Texas Department of Transportation plans to continue widening highways stateside and in the local area.
- Click here for an announcement of current plans.
Here's what s planned for the Houston area, more widening of highways lie ahead:
The battle over the future of transportation in the state promises to heat up - perhaps this winds up on the agenda of the 85th session.
- Turner's transportation platform.
- New Houston Mayor to Texas DOT: Wider Roads Mean More Traffic.
As of yet, these are still merely proposals. Texas continues on a trajectory the focuses primarily on highways construction. Much of this is built into the Texas Constitution. Funding for highways is designated in the document and strong constituencies exist to continue highways construction in the state. There's lots of money spent on highways, and the businesses who profit from those expenditures are not anxious to give it up. As of now the Texas Department of Transportation plans to continue widening highways stateside and in the local area.
- Click here for an announcement of current plans.
Here's what s planned for the Houston area, more widening of highways lie ahead:
• I-45 Gulf Freeway widening from NASA to FM 518. This project is expected to cost $112 million. Congestion relief funding will be $106.4 million. Construction is proposed to begin in Spring 2017 and be completed by Summer 2020. This project will aid in improving mobility on a heavily traveled hurricane evacuation route and primary freight corridor. This project is part of the overall project to widen IH 45 Gulf Freeway from NASA 1 to Galveston Island.
• I-10 Katy Freeway widening from FM 359 to the Brazos River in Waller County. This project is expected to cost $242 million. Congestion relief funding will be $131.8 million. Construction is proposed to begin in Summer 2017 and be completed by Spring 2021. This project is one of the pieces of the overall project to add two lanes on I-10 between Houston and San Antonio. The project will aid in improving connectivity as well as improving mobility on a hurricane evacuation route and primary freight corridor.
• IH 610 West Loop/ IH 69 interchange improvements. This project includes the reconstruction of multiple connector ramps and is projected to cost $287 million. Congestion relief funding will be $209.2 million. Construction is proposed to begin in Summer 2017 and be completed by Spring 2021. Reconstruction of the I-610/I-69 interchange
The battle over the future of transportation in the state promises to heat up - perhaps this winds up on the agenda of the 85th session.
