U.S. 82 has successfully been widened to 6 regular lanes through a part of Gainesville, Texas.
A realignment would be necessary for any other upgrades. It makes sense to realign U.S. 82 north of Gainesville for U.S. 82 to be as straight as possible. Perhaps a Tolled bypass of Gainesville (and Whitesboro, to connect back to U.S. 82 somewhere near at least S.H. 289) If not, U.S. 82 will be just as bad as U.S. 380 in that area.
For the past few years TX DOT has been working on a relief route plan which would build a partial loop starting at I-35 just South of Gainesville and moving East and then North up to US-82 on the East side of Gainesville.
http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot/get-involved/wfs/us-82-reliever-route/fact-sheet.pdf
Looking at the proposed alternatives this plan would do nothing to benefit long distance US-82 traffic moving through Gainesville. It would benefit local traffic in Gainesville itself though.
I agree, a further upgraded US-82 (one converted into a freeway or turnpike) would have to go on a new alignment around Gainesville, preferably to the North. Such a bypass could be built closer to the original highway. Plus it would cross I-35 closer to the big outlet mall North of Gainesville and closer to the Red River for traffic heading to the big WinStar Casino on the other side in Thackerville.
I think TX DOT needs to get on the stick and start carving out ROW for US-82 improvements between Gainesville and Sherman. US-82 isn't as bad an issue in Sherman since it has already been converted into a freeway. However, it's going to be tricky building a freeway to freeway interchange between US-82 and US-75 (might have flyover ramps spanning existing buildings and parking lots). US-82 has had various piece-meal upgrades made to it between Sherman and Paris. There's a decent number of freeway style exits in both 4-lane and Super-2 configuration. In the long term US-82 could be turned into an Interstate-quality route between Wichita Falls and Texarkana.
Quote from: Bobby5280 on June 14, 2018, 12:57:44 PM
For the past few years TX DOT has been working on a relief route plan which would build a partial loop starting at I-35 just South of Gainesville and moving East and then North up to US-82 on the East side of Gainesville.
http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot/get-involved/wfs/us-82-reliever-route/fact-sheet.pdf
Looking at the proposed alternatives this plan would do nothing to benefit long distance US-82 traffic moving through Gainesville. It would benefit local traffic in Gainesville itself though.
I agree, a further upgraded US-82 (one converted into a freeway or turnpike) would have to go on a new alignment around Gainesville, preferably to the North. Such a bypass could be built closer to the original highway. Plus it would cross I-35 closer to the big outlet mall North of Gainesville and closer to the Red River for traffic heading to the big WinStar Casino on the other side in Thackerville.
I think TX DOT needs to get on the stick and start carving out ROW for US-82 improvements between Gainesville and Sherman. US-82 isn't as bad an issue in Sherman since it has already been converted into a freeway. However, it's going to be tricky building a freeway to freeway interchange between US-82 and US-75 (might have flyover ramps spanning existing buildings and parking lots). US-82 has had various piece-meal upgrades made to it between Sherman and Paris. There's a decent number of freeway style exits in both 4-lane and Super-2 configuration. In the long term US-82 could be turned into an Interstate-quality route between Wichita Falls and Texarkana.
The junction between the Dallas North Tollway and Sam Rayburn Tollway in Frisco/Plano is a great model for what could be done for the 75/82 junction in Sherman. You have the existing frontage road crossings at one level, and a stack interchange on the main lanes. At some point the traffic counts will justify a stack there.
At one time wasn't hwy 82 included in Rick Perry's Trans Texas Corridor plan? I remember reading about plans to make 82 4 lanes between Texarkana and Wichita Falls.
Quote from: dariusb on July 30, 2018, 08:36:54 PM
At one time wasn't hwy 82 included in Rick Perry's Trans Texas Corridor plan? I remember reading about plans to make 82 4 lanes between Texarkana and Wichita Falls.
One of the TTCs would have been along/near that part of US 82. Thankfully governor Goodhair was in the minority on rolling out such a thing.
Might be a push to upgrade 82 sooner rather than later.
http://www.heralddemocrat.com/news/20180728/study-lists-us-82-among-50-most-dangerous-highways-in-nation
Quote from: dariusb on July 30, 2018, 08:36:54 PM
At one time wasn't hwy 82 included in Rick Perry's Trans Texas Corridor plan? I remember reading about plans to make 82 4 lanes between Texarkana and Wichita Falls.
One of the very few TTC maps I saw had TTC-35 swinging wide of DFW from Gainesville to Gunter to Anna, looping completely around and rejoining the main line somewhere to the south. Don't think 82 was a part of it, although 287 would've been a great candidate.
http://www.google.com/search?q=trans+texas+corridor&tbm=isch
Quote from: txstateends on July 31, 2018, 05:56:16 AM
Quote from: dariusb on July 30, 2018, 08:36:54 PM
At one time wasn't hwy 82 included in Rick Perry's Trans Texas Corridor plan? I remember reading about plans to make 82 4 lanes between Texarkana and Wichita Falls.
One of the TTCs would have been along/near that part of US 82. Thankfully governor Goodhair was in the minority on rolling out such a thing.
Most of it was bizarre bloat and waste. Something the Perry Administration became known for. The former governor actually had some traction in the early days of both the '12 and '16 presidential campaigns, but his knowledge of national issues, as well as international, became shockingly low as the campaigns progressed. Being from one of the largest and most populated states could have propelled him toward the nomination had he been more prepared.
Perry would have had a far greater legacy, had he put a laser beam on state spending, effected cuts, and placed watchdogs and whistle blowers on tex - dot and other agencies.