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Regional Boards => Mid-South => Topic started by: Chris on March 03, 2015, 02:15:55 PM

Title: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Chris on March 03, 2015, 02:15:55 PM
http://www.globalconreview.com/news/israeli-firm-wins-first-big-us-jo8b-800m-te8x8a8s/

Israeli firm wins first big US job: $800m Texas toll highway

Three years after setting up an office in the US, an Israeli firm has won its first major road-building job there — making toll lanes on a 10-mile stretch of state highway near Houston, Texas.

Infrastructure firm Shikun & Binui is a 50% partner in a consortium called Blueridge Transportation Group, which was selected by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design, build, finance, operate the new toll lanes on SH-288 in Harris County.


See the article for more information.

and:

Photograph: State Highway 288 in Texas, which is soon to be tolled. Courtesy of AARoads

Project website:
http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/houston/sh288-toll-lanes.html

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FxWKwoYl.jpg&hash=d53f563846996208cf376cf52d3efa39014d2ceb)
Photo from the 'Houston Freeways' book.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: MaxConcrete on March 03, 2015, 09:27:21 PM
Here is the TxDOT presentation and bid analysis
http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot/commission/2015/0226/11b-presentation.pdf (http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot/commission/2015/0226/11b-presentation.pdf)

The $800 million price tag is higher than the earlier estimates of around $600 million, almost certainly due to the inclusion of all the ramps at the Beltway 8 interchange. All currently free lanes will remain free, and the long term plan includes an additional free lane in each direction between Loop 610 and Beltway 8. However, I don't expect to see those new free lanes anytime soon.

The presentation also mentions "Innovative ATCs within I-610 Interchange" and the presenter of the online video says that 70% of the ultimate connectors at I-610 will be built. I don't know what connectors are planned and what the configuration is - I'm thinking it is a design developed by the winning firm. http://txdot.swagit.com/play/02262015-660 (http://txdot.swagit.com/play/02262015-660)

This project also includes connector ramps to Holcombe. Those ramps began as a controversial project near MacGregor, and the Holcombe location proved to be acceptable.
 
 
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Perfxion on March 04, 2015, 06:57:49 AM
Gotta to love a toll lane in the middle of a freeway. I guess if TxDOT can do that on the Katy, lets do it on 288.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: swbrotha100 on March 04, 2015, 05:26:38 PM
Quote from: Chris on March 03, 2015, 02:15:55 PM
http://www.globalconreview.com/news/israeli-firm-wins-first-big-us-jo8b-800m-te8x8a8s/

Israeli firm wins first big US job: $800m Texas toll highway

Three years after setting up an office in the US, an Israeli firm has won its first major road-building job there — making toll lanes on a 10-mile stretch of state highway near Houston, Texas.

Infrastructure firm Shikun & Binui is a 50% partner in a consortium called Blueridge Transportation Group, which was selected by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design, build, finance, operate the new toll lanes on SH-288 in Harris County.


See the article for more information.

and:

Photograph: State Highway 288 in Texas, which is soon to be tolled. Courtesy of AARoads

Project website:
http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/houston/sh288-toll-lanes.html

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FxWKwoYl.jpg&hash=d53f563846996208cf376cf52d3efa39014d2ceb)
Photo from the 'Houston Freeways' book.

Is that "US 288" shield still in existence? It was pictured in the article.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: jlwm on October 07, 2016, 03:50:05 AM
Per the electronic message signs on 288, construction on the toll lanes will begin this month. There's a new website with information about the project called Drive288.com (http://drive288.com).
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Stephane Dumas on October 09, 2016, 02:14:17 PM
I posted some simulated images showing rendering of TX-288 toll lanes which include a stack interchange with Beltway-8.
(https://anonmgur.com/up/74b8675243b0e41c05bc053738af2174.jpg)
(https://anonmgur.com/up/d378d799b758a49d0263ddec55dcc1fa.jpg)
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: coatimundi on October 17, 2016, 03:34:39 AM
Quote from: swbrotha100 on March 04, 2015, 05:26:38 PM
Is that "US 288" shield still in existence? It was pictured in the article.

Looks like no.
2013 GSV: https://www.google.com/maps/@29.5557824,-95.3888971,3a,75y,168.66h,69.71t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soMZQPvc_z2Gkydu-Xq9uiQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

If you move up to the 2016, it's gone and replaced with a shield with a stronger border. Too bad.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Stephane Dumas on January 24, 2017, 11:04:28 AM
I dust-off this thread by mentionning some photos of the beginnings of the construction work as well as the groundbreaking ceremony.
http://drive288.com/photo-gallery/construction-photos/jan-2017/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2efyQd0CPM
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: MaxConcrete on January 24, 2017, 09:15:51 PM
I drove on SH 288 inside the Loop on Saturday, and there is not yet any construction activity inside the loop. There is plenty of work underway at the Loop 610/SH 288 interchange, as the photos show.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Chris on April 30, 2017, 03:00:07 PM
A $ 97 million contract has been awarded to construct the toll lanes in the median of SH 288 in Brazoria County. It runs from the Harris County/Brazoria County line to County Road 58.

Construction of the 4-lane (2+2) toll way in the median of State Highway 288 is scheduled to begin June 2017. The five mile stretch will extend from the Brazoria/Harris County line to just south of County Road 58 in Brazoria County.

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000083321
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Stephane Dumas on July 29, 2017, 07:59:33 PM
I dust-off this thread by mentionning then some photos dated from March 23 and April 20 are posted. The June ones aren't posted on the site yet.
http://drive288.com/photo-gallery/construction-photos/nggallery/projectconstruction/April-2017
http://drive288.com/photo-gallery/construction-photos/nggallery/projectconstruction/March-2017
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Stephane Dumas on October 30, 2017, 10:13:44 AM
A little bump showing some construction progress of TX-288 on Twitter. https://twitter.com/drive288

Edit: (Nov 11), There's some aerial shots showing a small forest of piers who'll receive the future ramps. http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=29.59767,-95.38314&z=18&t=S
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: MaxConcrete on January 07, 2018, 11:14:42 PM
Photo taken January 6, looking west along the eastbound BW8 feeder
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdallasfreeways.com%2Fdfwfreeways%2FAARoads%2F20180106-0023-1600.jpg&hash=a66cf29b3490c2a779b8f0b433adf56f2b0e0e79)
http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/AARoads/20180106-0023-1600.jpg (http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/AARoads/20180106-0023-1600.jpg)
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: MaxConcrete on March 07, 2018, 11:17:51 AM
Photos taken March 6, 2018
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdallasfreeways.com%2Fdfwfreeways%2FAARoads%2F20180306_288_45-0014_1600.jpg&hash=2b4847c66a83928bccd0b9e3569b5377fe2cb91a)
http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/AARoads/20180306_288_45-0014_1600.jpg (http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/AARoads/20180306_288_45-0014_1600.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdallasfreeways.com%2Fdfwfreeways%2FAARoads%2F20180306_288_45-0027_1600.jpg&hash=797545c31037e6710ba827d272ff0299df3c6a6b)
http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/AARoads/20180306_288_45-0027_1600.jpg (http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/AARoads/20180306_288_45-0027_1600.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdallasfreeways.com%2Fdfwfreeways%2FAARoads%2F20180306_288_45-0006-1600.jpg&hash=6a6afdc39b7d9cd1587cd460a63e21c0455ecd00)
http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/AARoads/20180306_288_45-0006-1600.jpg (http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/AARoads/20180306_288_45-0006-1600.jpg)
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: rte66man on March 08, 2018, 11:04:16 PM
Thanks for posting those.  Did you get any of 610 at 288?
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: FreewayDan on March 15, 2018, 12:01:26 AM
TxDOT is planning a pay-by-mail option for the 288 toll lanes when it opens.  They'll also implement pay-by-mail on other Houston toll roads that they maintain including...


https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Toll-fine-changes-bring-confusion-to-Houston-area-12750895.php

Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Stephane Dumas on June 15, 2019, 08:51:29 AM
I bump this thread by mentionning some new photos showing the construction of the interchange ramps at TX-288/Beltway 8.
http://drive288.com/photo-gallery/construction-photos/nggallery/projectconstruction/Beltway-8-and-SH-288

Older photos posted on March 29th.
http://drive288.com/photo-gallery/construction-photos/nggallery/projectconstruction/Construction-3.29.2019
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: TXtoNJ on June 17, 2019, 10:12:52 PM
Drove here this past weekend. Best project in the Houston area right now.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: nguyenhm16 on June 23, 2019, 04:57:30 PM
Sadly there was a fatality of a worker at the SH 288/Sam Houston tollway interchange:
https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/construction-worker-dies-after-falling-more-than-30-feet-off-beltway-8-overpass/285-dafae333-3031-46f0-8fd8-2d3c3ba1139b
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Stephane Dumas on August 11, 2019, 08:45:41 AM
I saw some aerial shots taked around probably last January or February of the upcoming stack interchange of Beltway-8/TX-288. We see some ramps taking shape.
https://www.mytopo.com/maps/?lat=29.5968&lon=-95.38578&z=16
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Alex on August 25, 2019, 10:59:07 AM
Was on SH 288 south from IH 69/US 59 into Brazoria County on August 7. The whole freeway is a mess right now with ongoing construction and there's one portion where traffic is temporarily routed onto the future Express lanes.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: MaxConcrete on December 12, 2019, 06:58:37 PM
The scheduled completion has been delayed to summer 2020. The previous planned completion date was at the end of this year.

The new 5-level interchange at BW8 (Sam Houston Tollway) has made tremendous progress in the last year after proceeding very slowly previously.

The totally rebuilt interchange at Loop 610 is mostly done, but on my most recent drive-through there still was very little done on the regular (non-toll) lanes for SH 288, which swing out wide toward the interchange edges.

https://www.khou.com/article/news/completing-the-highway-288-expansion-project-will-take-nearly-a-year-longer-than-expected/285-c3015144-8326-400c-8fc4-54fdd15d8d5a (https://www.khou.com/article/news/completing-the-highway-288-expansion-project-will-take-nearly-a-year-longer-than-expected/285-c3015144-8326-400c-8fc4-54fdd15d8d5a)
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Chris on February 01, 2020, 05:20:54 AM
The Brazoria County portion of the 288 express lanes was apparently completed 'recently': https://www.mysanantonio.com/neighborhood/pearland/news/article/Builder-Texas-288-toll-project-finish-expected-15002223.php

The 10.3 miles of toll lanes – two in each direction – are part of a $1.1 billion Texas Department of Transportation project along the highway from U.S. 59 to the Harris County/Brazoria County line at Clear Creek. The toll lanes will continue five more miles south along Texas 288 as the Brazoria County Expressway project, which was recently completed by Brazoria County at a cost of almost $97.17 million. That portion of the toll lanes runs from County Road 58 north to the county line, where it connects to the TxDOT portion of the work.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: MaxConcrete on February 10, 2020, 08:53:22 PM
Work is finally well underway on the new SH 288 main lanes through the Loop 610 interchange. The SH 288 main lanes are depressed and swing out wide on the sides. (However, this work is not shown in the photos)

Photos taken Saturday Feb 8 looking north from Holly Hall
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdallasfreeways.com%2Fdfwfreeways%2FAARoads%2F20200208_030-1800.jpg&hash=e7d227ef1b1864a30aa55a7f4874f705f8954d67)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdallasfreeways.com%2Fdfwfreeways%2FAARoads%2F20200208_035-1800.jpg&hash=85c9a948a2c007b61151557f8cb5d45d674e9410)
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: MaxConcrete on May 02, 2020, 06:49:22 PM
The new SH 288 NB main lanes on the new alignment are nearing completion, shown in the photo. Southbound traffic was shifted to the new alignment a few weeks ago.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdallasfreeways.com%2Fdfwfreeways%2FAARoads%2F20200502_029-1600.jpg&hash=9627a8dcb1cd29a85b47d7499fbac940039fbb63)
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: CoreySamson on May 05, 2020, 09:10:06 PM
Quote from: MaxConcrete on May 02, 2020, 06:49:22 PM
The new SH 288 NB main lanes on the new alignment are nearing completion, shown in the photo. Southbound traffic was shifted to the new alignment a few weeks ago.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdallasfreeways.com%2Fdfwfreeways%2FAARoads%2F20200502_029-1600.jpg&hash=9627a8dcb1cd29a85b47d7499fbac940039fbb63)

Nice! Last time I made it up there, the main lanes in the Harris county section didn't even look close to done.

The Drive288 site says the project still has a summer completion date; I'm guessing late summer at this point.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Stephane Dumas on July 14, 2020, 06:36:39 PM
The stack of TX-288/Beltway-8 is very advanced when Streetview taked the pictures last February.
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.5948469,-95.3861953,3a,75y,340.86h,106.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdEh5Brf76Z3_8g9ddqxLfg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: MaxConcrete on August 03, 2020, 10:26:32 PM
The opening of the toll lanes is now slated to be by the end of the year.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Texas-288-tollway-opening-pushed-to-end-of-year-15450155.php#photo-19753590 (https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Texas-288-tollway-opening-pushed-to-end-of-year-15450155.php#photo-19753590)

Quote
Texas 288 tollway opening pushed to end of year, as uncertain times loom for traffic, pay lanes

...
"Everything will be completed by the end of the year,"  said Raynese Edwards, spokeswoman for the project. "Can I tell you what that will be or when? Not right now."

When work wraps up in a few months and motorists make their way onto the lanes, they will do so under far different conditions than when the project was conceived. Freeway traffic remains about 10 percent below typical volumes – significant enough along Texas 288 that the northbound morning commute just inside the Sam Houston Tollway has been virtually delay-free. Even if congestion increases slightly, traffic could move smoothly enough to keep drivers in the free lanes.

Edwards said the private firms behind the tollway, part of a $2.1 billion, 52-year deal with the state, still are assessing the effect any changes in demand will have on the revenues raised by the project in the early years.

Conceding past estimates were too ambitious, builders of the tollway in the center of Texas 288 from Interstate 69 to Brazoria County say the pay lanes will open by the end of the year, as some minor work continues into 2021.

"We got affected by everything,"  Edwards said, from rain to subcontractors scheduling difficulties.

That includes COVID. Since March, dozens of workers have tested positive for the coronavirus or quarantined as a precaution.

"If one person is sick or has a fever, it affects that entire crew,"  Edwards said.

At peak in late June, Edwards said 74 workers were sick, representing 10 percent of the workforce.

(https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/13/26/51/19753591/3/gallery_xlarge.jpg)

(https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/13/26/51/19753590/3/gallery_xlarge.jpg)
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Stephane Dumas on September 25, 2020, 07:31:19 PM
A little bump to mention then Google maps updated the satellite pic and show the construction of the stack interchange of Beltway-8/TX-288 well advanced.
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.5980902,-95.3860648,974m/data=!3m1!1e3 

I guess it was might be taken around the same time they updated Streeview.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Chris on September 26, 2020, 05:47:43 AM
It was taken on December 2, 2019. Google Earth (the desktop application) shows the dates when the satellite image was taken. So it's almost a year old, I believe this project is behind schedule.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: CoreySamson on October 12, 2020, 12:44:34 AM
BGSs mentioning the toll lanes are now up at the southern end of the project (they are currently overlaid with a 'closed for construction' sign). Interestingly, they are not mounted on gantries; instead, they're in the median. Guess that makes sense, but it looks a bit odd.

The lanes themselves, at least in the Brazoria County section, look basically finished. Just need Houston to finish their part. The FM 518 interchange is coming along nicely, too.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Stephane Dumas on October 12, 2020, 09:02:01 AM
I saw more recent satellite shots of the TX-288/Beltway 8 interchange posted on Satellites.pro. https://satellites.pro/USA_map#29.596045,-95.386798,16
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: RoadsByArco on November 08, 2020, 06:18:33 PM
It's not done yet? I was hoping to make a video about it in 2 weeks. Sad.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Chris on November 09, 2020, 01:01:07 PM
It's set to open this month: https://abc13.com/traffic/103-miles-of-new-sh-288-toll-lanes-opening-this-month/7795565/
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: RoadsByArco on November 09, 2020, 06:19:22 PM
Quote from: Chris on November 09, 2020, 01:01:07 PM
It's set to open this month: https://abc13.com/traffic/103-miles-of-new-sh-288-toll-lanes-opening-this-month/7795565/
Neat! Will they also resurface 288 too in the northern sections or will they keep the save pavement that's already there? I hope it's resurfaced.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: MaxConcrete on November 13, 2020, 08:33:55 AM
The toll lanes are opening Monday

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/After-long-wait-Texas-288-toll-lanes-to-open-15722967.php (https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/After-long-wait-Texas-288-toll-lanes-to-open-15722967.php)

Quote
Brazoria County officials confirmed Thursday the long-awaited opening of toll lanes along Texas 288 will happen Monday morning, marking the end of more than three years of construction as traffic in the region slowly rebounds.

Free until Nov. 29, the tollway runs from downtown Houston to County Road 58 south of Pearland, about 16 miles. The new lanes flow in the center of Texas 288 with direct connections to Loop 610, the Sam Houston Tollway and the Texas Medical Center via Holcombe.

Once tolling begins, prices for the express lanes range from $0.45 for segments during off-peak times to $3.20 at the Holly Hall toll gantry for 8 a.m. trips in Harris County. For the entire tollway within Harris County, trips will cost between $1.40 and $5.10 during peak commuting periods. Drivers also will pay for direct access to the Sam Houston Tollway and Loop 610, with a peak price from northbound Texas 288 to Loop 610 set at $2.60.

Drivers along the Brazoria County portion will pay $1.80. All portions of the tollway will require a TxTag or EZTag.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Chris on November 13, 2020, 10:37:03 AM
That is exactly 4 years after the groundbreaking on November 16, 2016: https://patch.com/texas/pasadena-tx/officials-break-ground-highway-288-expansion
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: CoreySamson on November 13, 2020, 09:12:45 PM
Quote from: MaxConcrete on November 13, 2020, 08:33:55 AM
The toll lanes are opening Monday


Nice! I just drove the section from Airport Road to its southern end earlier this week and it looks pretty darn ready. All the new pavement and bridges (especially at the FM 518 interchange) look really good. I can't say the signs are top-notch, as I saw some kerning issues and squished fonts on a couple of signs. Might be stragglers from construction, though. Otherwise, I'd say well done to the constructors.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: CoreySamson on November 21, 2020, 04:07:54 PM
This morning I drove the entirety of the toll lanes northbound and I do have to say that I really like them. I'm happy to report the toll lanes are finished all the way to the I-69 interchange, though there's still some minor work on the main lanes, especially near the Old Spanish Trail exit. 95% of the signage is clean and intuitive, and all looks fresh and new.

A couple nitpicks:
If you hate left exits, then this project's probably not for you. The exit and entrance ramps for 8 and 610 are in the median between the main and tolled lanes, meaning the main lanes have left exits. Still, I think it's a genius design. Also, a couple of the signs are a little cringeworthy. There are a couple yellow diamond warning signs which are in Clearview, especially around the 610 exit. The sign for the Old Spanish Trail exit is a bit cluttered and convuluted compared to the others. Also, I think I saw a 610 shield installed on the exit ramp at the 610 interchange that looked more indigo than blue. Maybe my eyes were just deceiving me.

On a side note, the new ramps at the 45/610 interchange are completed as well. (probably documented somewhere else on the forum)

If you want to see the lanes for yourself, now is a great time to do so, as it is free until November 30, when tolls will begin.

P.S. Is it possible for the mods to put a 288 toll shield as an avatar?
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Stephane Dumas on November 22, 2020, 11:29:06 AM
Slightly off-topic but I spotted this vintage news reports showing the opening of TX-288 back in 1982.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lsxvsa5e3M

Here more related videos to TX-288 toll lanes. The 1st video offer a nice Google streetview lookalike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qffvSySSDXA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqejs53CQ68
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: MaxConcrete on November 22, 2020, 10:56:30 PM
Thanks for finding that 1982 report, Stephane, that was very interesting! The report also mentions the ongoing construction to Lake Jackson, which was should have been complete in the mid 1980s.

The freeway through Lake Jackson was finished only a few years ago.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: RoadsByArco on November 22, 2020, 11:19:17 PM
Quote from: MaxConcrete on November 22, 2020, 10:56:30 PM
Thanks for finding that 1982 report, Stephane, that was very interesting! The report also mentions the ongoing construction to Lake Jackson, which was should have been complete in the mid 1980s.

The freeway through Lake Jackson was finished only a few years ago.
lol...
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: jlwm on November 28, 2020, 10:38:23 PM
I live near 288 inside the loop so I've used the toll lanes a few times. I wish there was access from the toll lanes to the mainlanes between 610 and Southmore so northbound toll lane users can access the MacGregor, Binz/Calumet or Southmore exits. Otherwise, they have to exit at Holcombe and use Almeda or make a u-turn and get back on 288 NB at Holcombe. But since the purpose of the lanes was to facilitate better access to the Medical Center from Pearland, that's probably why there's no exits to the mainlanes. There's also the fact that the original express lane plans in the 1960s were conceived as having no exits between 610 and Downtown, so I suppose they're keeping in the spirit of the original intent in that regard.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: jlwm on April 20, 2021, 04:29:40 AM
Part of the recently completed 288 project suffered a major pavement failure on the southbound mainlanes between Holmes Rd. and Bellfort Blvd. over the weekend. https://abc13.com/sh-288-pavement-failure-safety-purposes-structural-damage/10527940/ (https://abc13.com/sh-288-pavement-failure-safety-purposes-structural-damage/10527940/)

I've seen the crack slowly developing in the pavement. It started off a few months ago as a dip, then a crack became visible, which was then filled with tar. Then about 2 weeks ago, they began an asphalt overlay, but it was only a thin coat with temporary lane markers. Late last week, you could see the crack was getting worse from reflection cracking underneath the asphalt. Friday, they had the affected lanes closed. By Saturday, all southbound lanes were shut down. I passed by Saturday and Sunday on the toll lanes, but couldn't see what they were doing. I figured they were applying the final layer of asphalt, but I was not expecting to see this kind of failure on the news on Monday.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on April 20, 2021, 01:36:12 PM
Quote from: jlwm on April 20, 2021, 04:29:40 AM
Part of the recently completed 288 project suffered a major pavement failure on the southbound mainlanes between Holmes Rd. and Bellfort Blvd. over the weekend. https://abc13.com/sh-288-pavement-failure-safety-purposes-structural-damage/10527940/ (https://abc13.com/sh-288-pavement-failure-safety-purposes-structural-damage/10527940/)

I've seen the crack slowly developing in the pavement. It started off a few months ago as a dip, then a crack became visible, which was then filled with tar. Then about 2 weeks ago, they began an asphalt overlay, but it was only a thin coat with temporary lane markers. Late last week, you could see the crack was getting worse from reflection cracking underneath the asphalt. Friday, they had the affected lanes closed. By Saturday, all southbound lanes were shut down. I passed by Saturday and Sunday on the toll lanes, but couldn't see what they were doing. I figured they were applying the final layer of asphalt, but I was not expecting to see this kind of failure on the news on Monday.

Isn't this problem similar to the one that happened in New Jersey earlier this month?
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Chris on April 20, 2021, 05:38:54 PM
This looks worse than just a pavement failure. The soil seems to have slid from underneath the retaining wall. Resurfacing won't fix this.

(https://i.imgur.com/rEm93X2.jpg)

Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: MaxConcrete on May 10, 2021, 08:28:31 AM
The Houston Chronicle reports that the cause of the failure remains under investigation.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/Drivers-still-diverted-to-toll-lanes-along-Texas-16163963.php#photo-20968758 (https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/Drivers-still-diverted-to-toll-lanes-along-Texas-16163963.php#photo-20968758)

Quote
Collapsed pavement along Texas 288 continues diverting drivers into its toll lanes, as the company that maintains the freeway in Harris County sorts out what made its new road sink three weeks ago.

Blueridge Transportation Group has brought in geotechnical experts along with engineers but has not confirmed any specifics of what led to the collapse along the general use lanes of Texas 288 south of Loop 610 near Holmes. Blueridge built the toll lanes and maintains the general use lanes along Texas 288 under a 50-year agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation.


(https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/17/77/24/20968759/3/1200x0.jpg)

(https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/17/77/24/20968758/3/ratio3x2_1200.jpg)
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: CoreySamson on June 25, 2021, 08:57:21 PM
GSV of the new toll lanes is now available to look at. Are there any other road geeks who have driven it?
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Stephane Dumas on October 06, 2021, 07:59:44 PM
I bump this thread by mentionning then I'm too far away to drive the toll lanes ^_^; but speaking of GSV, they show some views of TX-288/Beltway-8 stack interchange.
https://goo.gl/maps/AuWtyT2jAaearGeK7
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: jgb191 on October 11, 2021, 02:45:59 AM
Quote from: Chris on March 03, 2015, 02:15:55 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FxWKwoYl.jpg&hash=d53f563846996208cf376cf52d3efa39014d2ceb)
Photo from the 'Houston Freeways' book.

When the original 288 South Freeway was built in the 1980's, was the median intentionally left wide in anticipation of future expansion?  Also are there plans to upgrade the entire SH 288 to interstate standards from Houston to Freeport?  This would help in hurricane evacuations for Brazoria county.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: MaxConcrete on October 11, 2021, 09:06:45 AM
Quote from: jgb191 on October 11, 2021, 02:45:59 AM
When the original 288 South Freeway was built in the 1980's, was the median intentionally left wide in anticipation of future expansion?  Also are there plans to upgrade the entire SH 288 to interstate standards from Houston to Freeport?  This would help in hurricane evacuations for Brazoria county.

Yes, the wide median was intended for future expansion. The first public meeting for the freeway was held in 1963 and the design with the "dual" freeway was first presented in 1966.
http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/pdf/South_Freeway_150ppi.pdf (http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/pdf/South_Freeway_150ppi.pdf)

Yes, there are plans to upgrade the entire length of SH 288 to freeway standards. The section which needs the most work is between SH 6 and Angleton. There is $136 million in work slated for bidding in August 2022. Those jobs will add overpasses at intersections which are currently at-grade.

https://www.dot.state.tx.us/insdtdot/orgchart/cmd/cserve/let/2022/lethou.htm (https://www.dot.state.tx.us/insdtdot/orgchart/cmd/cserve/let/2022/lethou.htm)
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: CoreySamson on October 11, 2021, 11:30:07 AM
Quote from: MaxConcrete on October 11, 2021, 09:06:45 AM
Quote from: jgb191 on October 11, 2021, 02:45:59 AM
When the original 288 South Freeway was built in the 1980's, was the median intentionally left wide in anticipation of future expansion?  Also are there plans to upgrade the entire SH 288 to interstate standards from Houston to Freeport?  This would help in hurricane evacuations for Brazoria county.

Yes, the wide median was intended for future expansion. The first public meeting for the freeway was held in 1963 and the design with the "dual" freeway was first presented in 1966.
http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/pdf/South_Freeway_150ppi.pdf (http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/pdf/South_Freeway_150ppi.pdf)

Yes, there are plans to upgrade the entire length of SH 288 to freeway standards. The section which needs the most work is between SH 6 and Angleton. There is $136 million in work slated for bidding in August 2022. Those jobs will add overpasses at intersections which are currently at-grade.

https://www.dot.state.tx.us/insdtdot/orgchart/cmd/cserve/let/2022/lethou.htm (https://www.dot.state.tx.us/insdtdot/orgchart/cmd/cserve/let/2022/lethou.htm)
Even with those at-grade intersections, they've recently been taking out the crossings and replacing them with median U-turns as a temporary replacement until the corridor becomes entirely freeway. I've also heard 6-laning 288 between TX-6 and Lake Jackson is in the cards, as well.

As for hurricane evacuations, 288 is not a good evacuation route for most of Brazoria County because it runs smack-bang into Houston and Galveston evacuation traffic. TX-36 is a much better alternative for those closer to the coast because it avoids most of the Houston metro.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Bobby5280 on October 11, 2021, 07:44:08 PM
Hurricane evacuation is another reason why the Grand Parkway needs to be completed as a continuous loop. That would give people South of Houston more exit alternatives than I-45 (or TX-288).

TX-36 does avoid much of the Houston metro, but it is not a high capacity, high speed route like a freeway or toll road. It's going to move only so much traffic.

One thing I believe would help improve hurricane evacuation efforts (and traffic relief efforts) South of Houston is doing upgrades to the TX-35 corridor. A good lateral East-West route would give people easier access to other alternative hurricane exit routes farther the West. Parts of TX-35 are 4-lane divided now to the West of the TX-288 corridor. There needs to be a more direct path between the Angleton-Lake Jackson area and Galveston. It's impossible to build an expressway or freeway near the coast between Lake Jackson and Galveston due for various reasons. The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is an obstacle. A 4-lane divided highway or freeway running on or near the existing FM-2004 corridor would be a help.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: jgb191 on October 12, 2021, 12:39:37 AM
TX-36 is another option for evacuation, but it's only a single lane in each direction and only goes to small towns (Needville, West Columbia) so it should be just a secondary option.   Going north on TX-288 then probably take TX-6 North around the city of Houston might be the best way to evacuate.

And for weaker hurricanes (cat 1-2) landing in the upper Texas coast we might only need to evacuate the coastal cities like Freeport and Galveston, the residents of Houston should be just fine to remain in the city.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: achilles765 on October 12, 2021, 03:35:49 AM
Quote from: Bobby5280 on October 11, 2021, 07:44:08 PM
Hurricane evacuation is another reason why the Grand Parkway needs to be completed as a continuous loop. That would give people South of Houston more exit alternatives than I-45 (or TX-288).

TX-36 does avoid much of the Houston metro, but it is not a high capacity, high speed route like a freeway or toll road. It's going to move only so much traffic.

One thing I believe would help improve hurricane evacuation efforts (and traffic relief efforts) South of Houston is doing upgrades to the TX-35 corridor. A good lateral East-West route would give people easier access to other alternative hurricane exit routes farther the West. Parts of TX-35 are 4-lane divided now to the West of the TX-288 corridor. There needs to be a more direct path between the Angleton-Lake Jackson area and Galveston. It's impossible to build an expressway or freeway near the coast between Lake Jackson and Galveston due for various reasons. The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is an obstacle. A 4-lane divided highway or freeway running on or near the existing FM-2004 corridor would be a help.

Well they are seriously starting to talk about and plan to turn SH 35 into a freeway from I-45/I-610 to I think where the Grand Parkway is supposed to be built down there.  Plus, there's the SH 146 freeway being built now.  I think another east -west route might help down there: maybe an extension of NASA 1
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: CoreySamson on October 12, 2021, 11:41:28 AM
Quote from: Bobby5280 on October 11, 2021, 07:44:08 PM
Hurricane evacuation is another reason why the Grand Parkway needs to be completed as a continuous loop. That would give people South of Houston more exit alternatives than I-45 (or TX-288).

TX-36 does avoid much of the Houston metro, but it is not a high capacity, high speed route like a freeway or toll road. It's going to move only so much traffic.

One thing I believe would help improve hurricane evacuation efforts (and traffic relief efforts) South of Houston is doing upgrades to the TX-35 corridor. A good lateral East-West route would give people easier access to other alternative hurricane exit routes farther the West. Parts of TX-35 are 4-lane divided now to the West of the TX-288 corridor. There needs to be a more direct path between the Angleton-Lake Jackson area and Galveston. It's impossible to build an expressway or freeway near the coast between Lake Jackson and Galveston due for various reasons. The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is an obstacle. A 4-lane divided highway or freeway running on or near the existing FM-2004 corridor would be a help.
I believe I saw somewhere that TX-36 might be getting upgraded to 4 lanes in the future, which would be instrumental for evacuation efforts. It has the EvacuLane on the shoulder too. I agree that completing the Grand Parkway from I-69 to 288 would definitely help out as well, but that still funnels lots of traffic onto an already busy route.

Funny that you should mention FM-2004. I've driven it several times between Lake Jackson and Galveston, and to me, it seems traffic volumes do not justify a freeway at all. Widening, perhaps, but not a freeway. TxDOT could probably just get away with adding a couple passing lanes and a new bridge over Chocolate Bayou. The route in the area that needs to be a freeway is TX-35 between Alvin and Angleton. It's only two lanes and gets very congested and dangerous with all the traffic on it. I've thought such a freeway could bypass Angleton on FM 523 to connect with the TX-35 expressway west of Angleton.
Title: Re: SH 288 toll lanes, Houston
Post by: Chris on March 27, 2024, 03:42:17 PM
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/txdot-288-tolls-pearland-blueridge-19363817.php

The Houston Chronicle reports on a possible buyout of the lease for the express lanes of SH 288.

Texas highway officials, well-funded and looking to stay that way, will consider buying out the private consortium that oversees the Texas 288 Toll Lanes, tearing up a 50-year deal they inked less than a decade ago in favor of long-term toll collections for years to come.