For many commuters living around the Galleria area, traffic on IH 610 at US 59 is almost always at a standstill. Now, the Texas Department of Transportation is finally going to fix the problem that has plagued the area for years.
To understand the problem, you have to look at the stretch of IH 610 between IH 10 and US 59 on the west side. With exits at nearly every major intersection, traffic seems to always back up. Another problem is there is no direct interchange from IH 10 to US 59. Commuters are forced to get on IH 610 and then sit in traffic until getting off on US 59. Another problem lies in the design of the interchange itself. While it is a traditional flyover type of interchange, the influx of traffic around the Galleria trying to get on either 610 or 59 has created a real mess.
When TXDOT completed the IH 10 to US 290/IH 610 interchange, they could have also set their sights on fixing the backlog of traffic around the Galleria. This did not happen. Now, officials once again have to shut down a major interchange in order to fix the traffic nightmare.
The six year project is already underway. Some exits in the Bellaire area are already closed off. This includes some exits around the busy Meyerland Plaza shopping mall. Fournace Street exit off 610 is already closed off.
One of the main problems is the interchange design. On some parts, two lanes merge into one before entering the freeway main lanes. This forces traffic to merge and causes major traffic jams throughout the day. Another problem is the location of the interchange. With all the traffic around the Galleria, there really is no way to get on IH 610 or US 59 from the Galleria without backtracking. This also causes a lot of traffic jams during the day.
The biggest improvement will be to the ramps connecting US 59 and IH 610. The first thing that will change are the one lane connection ramps. These will be widened to two lanes to eliminate major weaving. Upgrades to the interchange itself will bring it up to current design standards. Vertical clearance and sight lines will also be improved. Detention ponds will be added to control flooding.
An article in the Houston Press said that anyone who has had the unfortunate luck of spending even a few minutes on Highway 290 between the North Loop and Cypress knows that “gridlock” can be a relative term. This entire stretch of road is also being widened because of an increase in traffic. As the expansion of the ever congested thoroughfare continues through the end of 2017, all Houston drivers can do is lament the closures and do their best to avoid the area. If you don't live or work on the northwest side of town, that certainly helps.
But what is going to happen when what is arguably the worst freeway interchange in the state of Texas is rebuilt will make the 290 construction traffic look like a broken stoplight at 10:30 p.m. on a Sunday night in the country. For most Houstonians, the greatest concern will be the plan to completely redo the interchange at US 59 and the West Loop. It is one of the most congested interchanges in the state of Texas thanks to its proximity to the Galleria and one of the most affluent parts of Houston.
Given how awful the traffic is at nearly every hour of every day, the change should be welcome, but it comes at a price. The project is expected to take four years beginning in 2017. For those who aren't great at math, that means we will be dealing with a mess on the southwest corner of the Loop through 2021. For perspective, the miles-long stretch of 290 has been under construction for four years already and it has felt like a decade. Now, apply that torture to the most congested freeway intersection in Texas.
So, get ready, drivers. It's going to be a long four years. And, if you live in the already terribly traffic laden Galleria area, our best advice is to consider moving.
The project also addresses several needs. Many of the one-lane direct connectors are over capacity and projected growth would increase demand. There are no shoulders, low vertical clearances, below minimum sight distances, and crashes in merge areas. This all equates to major backup and delays in the area around the Galleria.
Hopefully the new connector ramps will improve traffic flow and help to ease congestion on the two freeways. Only time will tell if the project not only was done correctly, but also will pay off in the long run.
No comments:
Post a Comment