Tyler: Loop 49 section (TX 31 west => I-20) to open Saturday

[txstateends]

http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20130224/NEWS08/130229905
http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20130224/NEWS08/130229906
http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20130224/NEWS08/130229914

Wow, that was quick.  Now all that's left (besides that  -assed diagonal connection over to the future (ummm, non-existant) Longview outer loop (someone there has forgotten that I-20 and TX 31 *already* connect the Tyler area with the Longview area without another (ummm, useless) connection between them)), is TX 110 south around the east side over to where TX 155 splits from US 271, a portion that doesn't seem to be as front-burner as the other sections of Loop 49 have been.  Also, a future north-of-I-20 extension to go around Lindale to the west and intersect US 69 north of town (in effect, providing a 'relief route' for US 69 around Tyler and Lindale, without TIIC actually coming out and saying so).

[NE2]

Anyone want to take care of this in OSM?

[wxfree]

The first story makes it sound like the road opens Saturday.  It doesn't http://www.netrma.org/sites/default/files/notices/MEDIA%2020130226%20-%20PR%20for%203B%20Road%20NOT%20Opening.pdf

There's a "celebration" on the road Saturday.  http://www.netrma.org/sites/default/files/images/toll49_invitation_BACK.jpg  I'd kinda like to go to that, even though it isn't exactly close by.  I've been to a small ceremony for a replacement bridge opening, but never one for a new road.

The official site needs to be updated.  The map shows only the part from SH 155 to FM 756 as being open, leaving off the connection to SH 31.  TxDOT shouldn't neglect their toll road sites, since people may think the road isn't open, or won't drive on it since they can't find out how much it costs.  Maybe once NETRMA takes over they'll update the site.  Right now their main site just links to the update-needing Loop 49 site. http://www.loop49.org/

[txstateends]

The first story makes it sound like the road opens Saturday.  It doesn't

Ooops.  So much for believing everything I read....

Meanwhile, coverage of the "opening" and transfer:
http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20130303/NEWS08/130309945
http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20130301/NEWS01/303019987

[Grzrd]

that  -assed diagonal connection over to the future (ummm, non-existant) Longview outer loop (someone there has forgotten that I-20 and TX 31 *already* connect the Tyler area with the Longview area without another (ummm, useless) connection between them

The Alliance for I-69 Texas has an article about the ceremony, in which it touts Toll 49 as a future connection to the I-69 "system":

Road hands from around Northeast Texas gathered March 2nd to celebrate the completion of a major milestone in the development of Toll 49 -- a new highway that will eventually be a connector to the Interstate 69 System in Texas.
By late March a 10.2-mile section connecting to Interstate 20 in western Smith County will be open to traffic, allowing motorists safer, faster access to points around the south side of Tyler. Tolls from the project will eventually be used to extend the connector to the northeast around Longview and then east to connect with US 59/Future I-69 on the north side of Marshall in Harrison County. The long-range plan calls for Toll 49 to cover more the 100 miles. A total of 26 miles of the highway have been completed so far.

It seems to me that I-20 currently does a good job of connecting Tyler to US 59.

[txstateends]

According to this:  http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20130322/NEWS01/130329918
(and at the risk of setting my foot in it *again*), now this Thursday is the date when the TX 31 west ==>> I-20 section of Loop 49 is due to open.

Meanwhile, this article:  http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20130324/OPINION01/130329904
says that this week it will be decided whether bicyclists can use Loop 49 alongside motor vehicles.

[txstateends]

This new video
http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20130329/NEWS08/130329744 (up to the 0:50 mark)
shows a very small bit of the open section around I-20; a longer video was found at
http://www.cbs19.tv/category/163162/video-landing-page?clipId=8721197&topVideoCatNo=137105&autoStart=true

It was also decided this week that bicyclists can use the Loop 49 section between TX 155 south and TX 110 south, but $$ has to be raised by a certain time for extra striping and signage, or the decision will be reversed.
http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20130326/NEWS01/130329837

[Road Hog]

Looks like nothing but interconnected outer loops of Tyler and Longview with an extension east. Obviously not intended as a through route alternative to I-20, just improved access to I-20 from the back ends of both towns.