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WEST HOUSTON ASSOCIATION

info@westhouston.org

Memorial City Plaza II

820 Gessner Suite 1310

Houston, Texas 77024

v 713.461.9378

f 713.461.3065

Update Center

 

 

NEW Harris County/Gulf Coast Freight Rail District proposes commuter rail in the US 290 Corridor

Commuter Rail to Help Solve Mobility Issues  |  Judge Ed Emmett

 "Harris County is home to some of the most congested roadways in Texas. As the county’s population continues to boom, transportation will be an even bigger challenge. With financial and space limits on highway construction, additional solutions are needed to improve mobility. Commuter rail on existing railroad tracks holds great potential. Improving air quality by taking cars off the road also makes commuter rail an attractive mode of transportation.
Commuter rail differs from light rail and other forms of railway passenger service in a number of ways. Commuter rail normally involves traditional trains powered by diesel/electric locomotives operating on existing freight rail lines, while light rail operates in a dedicated right of way (as in Houston’s Main Street Red Line) and is powered by overhead electric wires. Since commuter rail accommodates mostly long-distance trips within a region, usually between the outlying areas and the main metropolitan hub, stations are farther apart (around five miles), and trips peak at the morning and evening commute times.

Recent studies for the Houston-Galveston Area Council have identified two key “early implementation” corridors for development as part of a long-distance commuter rail system in the Harris County region. The first, called the 290/Hempstead corridor, is located in northwest Harris County and is planned to use the existing Union Pacific Railroad “Eureka” line. It begins at the Eureka Junction at the intersection of Old Hempstead Highway and Old Katy Road near Interstate 10. This project has been identified as the most critical commuter transit project in the Houston region because of the tremendous growth in northwest Harris County.
A second identified corridor along State Highway 3 will connect Galveston and communities in southeast Harris County to the Houston area. This line not only will provide an alternative to congested freeway corridors, but will also provide additional means of emergency evacuation during hurricanes.
Recently, the Union Pacific Railroad has offered to make these two rail corridors available for commuter rail. Working with the Gulf Coast Rail District, the goal is to have both lines in operation in time to connect to METRO’s expanded light rail system so commuters can experience seamless rail transportation to the numerous employment centers and other destinations in the greater Houston area."


Overview of US 290 and Hempstead Corridor from Loop 610 to FM 2920

(Click Picture Thumbnails)

Following the completion of the management investment study (MIS) of the US 290 corridor, TxDOT completed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement which is awaiting approval by the Federal Highway Administration.

The MIS evaluated the future transportation needs of the Corridor and evaluated alternatives in addressing transportation issues. The MIS evaluated various transportation alternatives to determine which alternatives were best to address congestion, traffic safety, and environmental issues along the Corridor.

This MIS was begun in 1999 and was completed in 2002.  Following the review of over 11 alternative treatments and three major public meetings with a total attendance of nearly 1000 residents and workers in the corridor, a recommended alternative was selected.

Preferred Alternative

The preferred alternative is to widen US 290 to 5 general purpose lanes in each direction between Loop 610 and the Grand Parkway.  In addition, it proposes 4 general purpose lanes from the Grand Parkway to FM 2920.

The preferred alternative also contains "advanced high-capacity transit" along Hempstead inside Beltway 8 and along US 290 outside BW 8.

In addition the alternative calls for a 4 lane, two-way, managed use facility along Hempstead.  This concept is similar to that being constructed in the Interstate 10 West corridor.  The difference is that the Hempstead facility will not be in the center of the freeway as is the I-10 project.   Click on these thumbnails for a schematic 

Potential Changes to project cross sections 

Current Developments

TxDOT is in at least the third year of a severe funding crisis resulting in cutbacks in current projects and delays for future projects such as US 290.  This suggests the expansion of US 290 proper will be delayed placing more pressure on the toll financed managed use lanes to be built in on the Hempstead alignment.

The project is entering preliminary design and the connection of US 290 at Loop 610 to Interstate 10 West is being redesigned to improve traffic flow in that highly congested corridor.

In addition, an evaluation is underway on the Hempstead managed use lanes as a tolled project, again similar to the managed use lanes on Interstate 10 West.

The Hempstead/US-290 Managed Lane project is a 22 mile project, extending from IH-610 to SH-99 (Grand Parkway). The schematic engineering will be completed Fall 2007. The final engineering will begin Spring 2008 and be completed Summer 2014. Construction will begin Spring 2010 and be completed Spring 2014. The estimated construction cost is $550 Million; When completed, the managed lanes will provide 2 lanes in each direction. This project is currently the responsibility of Harris County Toll Road Authority and the Harris County Commissioners.

Important Links

US 290 Project Information Website (TxDOT)

Hempstead Toll Road by HCTRA

US 290 DEIS Map Sections

Metro Operating Cypress Park & Ride Service

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is available at this link

TxDOT project website can be viewed at this link www.my290.com 

 

 

NEW Harris County/Gulf Coast Freight Rail District proposes commuter rail in the US 290 Corridor

Commuter Rail to Help Solve Mobility Issues  |  Judge Ed Emmett

 "Harris County is home to some of the most congested roadways in Texas. As the county’s population continues to boom, transportation will be an even bigger challenge. With financial and space limits on highway construction, additional solutions are needed to improve mobility. Commuter rail on existing railroad tracks holds great potential. Improving air quality by taking cars off the road also makes commuter rail an attractive mode of transportation.
Commuter rail differs from light rail and other forms of railway passenger service in a number of ways. Commuter rail normally involves traditional trains powered by diesel/electric locomotives operating on existing freight rail lines, while light rail operates in a dedicated right of way (as in Houston’s Main Street Red Line) and is powered by overhead electric wires. Since commuter rail accommodates mostly long-distance trips within a region, usually between the outlying areas and the main metropolitan hub, stations are farther apart (around five miles), and trips peak at the morning and evening commute times.

Recent studies for the Houston-Galveston Area Council have identified two key “early implementation” corridors for development as part of a long-distance commuter rail system in the Harris County region. The first, called the 290/Hempstead corridor, is located in northwest Harris County and is planned to use the existing Union Pacific Railroad “Eureka” line. It begins at the Eureka Junction at the intersection of Old Hempstead Highway and Old Katy Road near Interstate 10. This project has been identified as the most critical commuter transit project in the Houston region because of the tremendous growth in northwest Harris County.
A second identified corridor along State Highway 3 will connect Galveston and communities in southeast Harris County to the Houston area. This line not only will provide an alternative to congested freeway corridors, but will also provide additional means of emergency evacuation during hurricanes.
Recently, the Union Pacific Railroad has offered to make these two rail corridors available for commuter rail. Working with the Gulf Coast Rail District, the goal is to have both lines in operation in time to connect to METRO’s expanded light rail system so commuters can experience seamless rail transportation to the numerous employment centers and other destinations in the greater Houston area."


Overview of US 290 and Hempstead Corridor from Loop 610 to FM 2920

(Click Picture Thumbnails)

Following the completion of the management investment study (MIS) of the US 290 corridor, TxDOT completed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement which is awaiting approval by the Federal Highway Administration.

The MIS evaluated the future transportation needs of the Corridor and evaluated alternatives in addressing transportation issues. The MIS evaluated various transportation alternatives to determine which alternatives were best to address congestion, traffic safety, and environmental issues along the Corridor.

This MIS was begun in 1999 and was completed in 2002.  Following the review of over 11 alternative treatments and three major public meetings with a total attendance of nearly 1000 residents and workers in the corridor, a recommended alternative was selected.

Preferred Alternative

The preferred alternative is to widen US 290 to 5 general purpose lanes in each direction between Loop 610 and the Grand Parkway.  In addition, it proposes 4 general purpose lanes from the Grand Parkway to FM 2920.

The preferred alternative also contains "advanced high-capacity transit" along Hempstead inside Beltway 8 and along US 290 outside BW 8.

In addition the alternative calls for a 4 lane, two-way, managed use facility along Hempstead.  This concept is similar to that being constructed in the Interstate 10 West corridor.  The difference is that the Hempstead facility will not be in the center of the freeway as is the I-10 project.   Click on these thumbnails for a schematic 

Potential Changes to project cross sections 

Current Developments

TxDOT is in at least the third year of a severe funding crisis resulting in cutbacks in current projects and delays for future projects such as US 290.  This suggests the expansion of US 290 proper will be delayed placing more pressure on the toll financed managed use lanes to be built in on the Hempstead alignment.

The project is entering preliminary design and the connection of US 290 at Loop 610 to Interstate 10 West is being redesigned to improve traffic flow in that highly congested corridor.

In addition, an evaluation is underway on the Hempstead managed use lanes as a tolled project, again similar to the managed use lanes on Interstate 10 West.

The Hempstead/US-290 Managed Lane project is a 22 mile project, extending from IH-610 to SH-99 (Grand Parkway). The schematic engineering will be completed Fall 2007. The final engineering will begin Spring 2008 and be completed Summer 2014. Construction will begin Spring 2010 and be completed Spring 2014. The estimated construction cost is $550 Million; When completed, the managed lanes will provide 2 lanes in each direction. This project is currently the responsibility of Harris County Toll Road Authority and the Harris County Commissioners.

Important Links

US 290 Project Information Website (TxDOT)

Hempstead Toll Road by HCTRA

US 290 DEIS Map Sections

Metro Operating Cypress Park & Ride Service

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is available at this link

TxDOT project website can be viewed at this link www.my290.com