Curious, what is the longest continuous express/HOV lane in Texas? And as a bonus question: How does it compare to the longest in the US?
There are a couple that are approximately 20 miles in length:
* I-69 Eastex Freeway reversible lane (I believe this is the longest)
* I-35E TexPress lanes
* I-45 North Freeway reversible lane
* I-30 TexPress lanes
I-15 in Utah has the longest express lanes in the U.S.: 80 miles
The I-95 Express lanes from Miami going north are also pretty long.
Quote from: Chris on July 14, 2023, 05:19:04 PM
There are a couple that are approximately 20 miles in length:
* I-69 Eastex Freeway reversible lane (I believe this is the longest)
* I-35E TexPress lanes
* I-45 North Freeway reversible lane
* I-30 TexPress lanes
I-15 in Utah has the longest express lanes in the U.S.: 80 miles
The I-95 Express lanes from Miami going north are also pretty long.
Interesting, I never knew that about I-15 in Utah.
As far as Texas, with the I-35 HOV lane projects going on in north San Antonio and south Austin, I could see them eventually building a continuous lane between the two cities. That would be 80 miles or even more once expansion is complete thru Austin up to Round Rock.
Quote from: Chris on July 14, 2023, 05:19:04 PM
* I-45 North Freeway reversible lane
In combination with the bidirectional HOV lanes extending from Spring to the southern end of Conroe, which begin immediately north of the reversible lane, the I-45 North Freeway HOV is probably somewhere between 35-40 miles long. I feel pretty sure that’s the longest such facility in Texas.
I’d think the combined I-820/SH-183 express lanes are the longest such facility in DFW (extending from north Fort Worth at I-35W almost to I-35E in Dallas), although I’m not sure. While it involves the usage of multiple express lane facilities, it is possible to drive from downtown Fort Worth to the High Five in north Dallas (and vice-versa) by using only express lanes. I won’t count this because that involves using on- and off-ramps to connect with different corridors (namely I-820/SH-183, Loop 12/I-35E, and I-635), whereas the I-820/SH-183 express lanes are essentially one continuous facility despite the differently-signed corridors (given the setup at the North East Mall interchange).
Quote from: BrandonC_TX on July 29, 2023, 06:23:18 AM
Quote from: Chris on July 14, 2023, 05:19:04 PM
* I-45 North Freeway reversible lane
In combination with the bidirectional HOV lanes extending from Spring to the southern end of Conroe, which begin immediately north of the reversible lane, the I-45 North Freeway HOV is probably somewhere between 35-40 miles long. I feel pretty sure that's the longest such facility in Texas.
I'd think the combined I-820/SH-183 express lanes are the longest such facility in DFW (extending from north Fort Worth at I-35W almost to I-35E in Dallas), although I'm not sure. While it involves the usage of multiple express lane facilities, it is possible to drive from downtown Fort Worth to the High Five in north Dallas (and vice-versa) by using only express lanes. I won't count this because that involves using on- and off-ramps to connect with different corridors (namely I-820/SH-183, Loop 12/I-35E, and I-635), whereas the I-820/SH-183 express lanes are essentially one continuous facility despite the differently-signed corridors (given the setup at the North East Mall interchange).
I-635 Texpress Lanes also have a direct connector to US-75 HOV lanes. You could travel from southern Collin County all the way to downtown Fort Worth using only HOV and Express lanes (Via US-75 HOV -> I-635 Express -> I-35E Express -> Loop 12 Express -> SH-183 Express -> I-820 Express -> I-35W Express). That measures out to be roughly 55 miles. Measuring from I-35W at Eagle Parkway all the way to the end of US-75 HOV in Collin County brings that measurement up to 60 miles of continuous HOV/Express Lanes.
Quote from: Chris on July 14, 2023, 05:19:04 PM
There are a couple that are approximately 20 miles in length:
* I-69 Eastex Freeway reversible lane (I believe this is the longest)
* I-35E TexPress lanes
* I-45 North Freeway reversible lane
* I-30 TexPress lanes
I-15 in Utah has the longest express lanes in the U.S.: 80 miles
The I-95 Express lanes from Miami going north are also pretty long.
Just a nitpick...
It is either TEXpress Lanes or TeXpress lanes.
TxDOT uses the TEXpress in their stylebook. Earlier it was often TeXpress.
Either way, the X is always capitalized to point out eXpress.