Regional Boards > Mid-South
Houston: Hardy Toll Road extension status
The Ghostbuster:
Would the toll road extension have been a "crucial" link in the Houston roadway system? After all, the Interstate 69/US 59 freeway is just to the east of where the HTR extension would have been.
MaxConcrete:
--- Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 17, 2020, 09:20:09 PM ---Would the toll road extension have been a "crucial" link in the Houston roadway system? After all, the Interstate 69/US 59 freeway is just to the east of where the HTR extension would have been.
--- End quote ---
I would not classify it as a "crucial" link. Calling it "nice to have" would probably be more accurate. That's probably one reason why it was continuously deferred since the adjacent section of the Hardy Toll Road opened in 1988.
I also think it may not have been able to pay for itself, but instead was viewed as a link in system connectivity for downtown access. There always was a HCTRA project with a higher priority.
The project is still included in the HGAC 10-year plan which was updated two days ago and it lists the project at $250 million for fiscal year 2023. The official web site still lists the start as Sept 2021 (which is FY 2022).
http://www.h-gac.com/ten-year-plan/documents/fy-2021-draft-ten-year-plan.pdf
http://www.hardyconnector.org/schedule.html
I suppose that means HCTRA has not made an official decision about the cancellation or shelving. I think they need to complete the formal study.
Henry:
This is like the Goat Path Expressway all over again! Except it's in a concrete jungle...
Chris:
--- Quote from: MaxConcrete on September 17, 2020, 09:56:00 PM ---I would not classify it as a "crucial" link. Calling it "nice to have" would probably be more accurate. That's probably one reason why it was continuously deferred since the adjacent section of the Hardy Toll Road opened in 1988.
--- End quote ---
The overall traffic patterns have also changed since then. The relative importance of downtown access within the regional freeway and tollway system has been greatly reduced since the early days of freeway construction. A much smaller share of traffic is going to a downtown destination out of all metropolitan traffic than 50 years ago. The Hardy Toll Road was built with this old mindset of downtown access, but is it still relevant / required today?
If I recall correctly, the Hardy Toll Road was not profitable for a long time, not many people were willing to pay tolls outside of the congested hours on I-45 and the traffic volumes were tidal at the time (inbound in the morning, outbound in the evening). I believe the Sam Houston Tollway gained popularity much quicker than the Hardy Toll Road, as it served circumferential trips between suburban areas, which became the dominant commuting pattern.
I think it's also quite telling that there never has been a real push to extend the Katy managed lanes all the way to Downtown Houston. I believe I-10 is still in its original configuration between I-610 and I-45. And the I-45 north project has plans for express lanes in both direction, as opposed the traditional reversible lanes. This is due to reversed commuting or most people simply just passing by Downtown Houston to another location.
rte66man:
--- Quote from: Chris on September 18, 2020, 02:39:52 PM ---
--- Quote from: MaxConcrete on September 17, 2020, 09:56:00 PM ---I would not classify it as a "crucial" link. Calling it "nice to have" would probably be more accurate. That's probably one reason why it was continuously deferred since the adjacent section of the Hardy Toll Road opened in 1988.
--- End quote ---
The overall traffic patterns have also changed since then. The relative importance of downtown access within the regional freeway and tollway system has been greatly reduced since the early days of freeway construction. A much smaller share of traffic is going to a downtown destination out of all metropolitan traffic than 50 years ago. The Hardy Toll Road was built with this old mindset of downtown access, but is it still relevant / required today?
If I recall correctly, the Hardy Toll Road was not profitable for a long time, not many people were willing to pay tolls outside of the congested hours on I-45 and the traffic volumes were tidal at the time (inbound in the morning, outbound in the evening). I believe the Sam Houston Tollway gained popularity much quicker than the Hardy Toll Road, as it served circumferential trips between suburban areas, which became the dominant commuting pattern.
I think it's also quite telling that there never has been a real push to extend the Katy managed lanes all the way to Downtown Houston. I believe I-10 is still in its original configuration between I-610 and I-45. And the I-45 north project has plans for express lanes in both direction, as opposed the traditional reversible lanes. This is due to reversed commuting or most people simply just passing by Downtown Houston to another location.
--- End quote ---
You are correct about I-10. That portion wasn't opened until the early 70's and has changed very little since then. Wasn't much of a need to change as it had 10 lanes to begin with.
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