As if traffic wasn't bad enough.....they're moving the I-45 portion that runs through downtown to run parallel with 59 / Minute Maid Park / George R Brown / EaDo / BBVA Stadium. Also, all the freeways are going underground..... I wonder what they plan for the area for the Pierce Elevated This is gonna be a cluster f@ck What a waste of my life 1999 - 2003 was when they re-did the Pierce Elevated http://abc13.com/traffic/i-45-is-moving-and-it-will-change-how-you-go-to-astros-games/3047540/
We just aren't gonna invest an any kind of train system. One f**king line along these freeway systems would work miracles. But no, let's just keep expanding and expanding. As soon as one expansion is done, it's not adequate anymore and another is needed. What a racket.
I'd hope these would be designed to catch flood waters. The important part, obviously, will be clearing the underground portion before the flooding begins.
I'm really wondering WTF they are gonna do with the Pierce Elevated. If they were to turn it into something like the High Line in NYC, that would be super cool. But knowing Houston, i could see it turn into the worlds largest homeless encampment NYC's High Line:
This section of freeway has long needed work and has been put off for decades because of the massive problems and cost - it has to be done, but will be huge big dig-like headache for a long time. Austin needs something similar for I-35, but who knows when they will finally bite the bullet.
Never. Austin won't do a f***ing thing. That's one of the reasons I wasn't disappointed to leave. The growth is unsustainable at the pace they're willing to add infrastructure. It's going to be a massive problem soon. Hell, it took something like 5 years to add 1 damn lane to MOPAC. What they would have to do to I-35 would never get approved in a vote.
So whenever someone brings up a subway system, people say that Houston's high water table makes it impossible. But I guess an underground freeway is no problem lol.
It isn't really underground like a subway is 100 feet underground. They are just looking to make the area more foot traffic friendly both in the south and by minute maid.
I think a subway and a road are completely different. Sure it'll cause traffic, but they can setup barriers for if it rains heavily and/or pumps for anything manageable. Doesn't seem all that different than other stretches of 59 where it's essentially underground, just without a roof/cover. It'll probably flood under extreme circumstances, but if its extreme circumstances, people shouldn't be driving anywhere. I'm more concerned with how long it'll take, what they do with the other section of 45, and if it will effect anyone's lunch plans if they're starting to work downtown.
There is nothing special about the Pierce Elevated. I hope they tear that **** down and sell the real estate. This High Line BS fantasy needs to be thrown out the window.
