Beltway 8 expansion? East of HWY 59?? (Houston, Spring: new home, construction, live in)

[AGGIEZ]

My wife and I are planning to move from Garden Oaks in about 2-3 years and have our eye on the Fall Creek area. We took a drive out there yesterday afternoon (Friday around 4:30) and were surprised by the traffic contrary to what I've read on these boards. I currently work in the Galleria area and don't really see how it wouldn't take atleast an hour to get over there from Fall Creek (please correct me if I'm wrong here).

With the amount of new homes going in around that area, Summerwood, Fall Creek, etc. and the already developed Atascocita area, I would expect the city to have plans to expand HWY-59 out in that direction. First and foremost, they need to connect that area to 59 with a ramp. Currently you have to exit early and ride the frontage road to even get over there.

Right now, the only access out to that area are the East and West 2-lane frontage roads with thousands of cars trying to use these roads to get home each day. I thought this was ridiculous.

Anyone know of any Beltway 8 expansion plans in this area?

[Guerilla]

59 is already expanded out there. The Beltway 8 completion is next. I'm not sure if they plan on having any toll booths there though.

[AGGIEZ]

Originally Posted by Guerilla

59 is already expanded out there.

Yes, 59 is complete, but you can't head east from 59 to Beltway 8. There is no connection, only West. They need to add an arm to head East on Beltway 8 instead of everyone having to exit early and ride the frontage road. I guess that'll be step #1 when they decide to start the Beltway 8 expansion though...

[Guerilla]

Oh I see. I hope they get going on the ramp construction, too. Area is growing fast.

[Poltracker]

I honestly would not bet on it any too soon. The first segment of Bltwy 8 built was between 45 and 59 around 35 years ago. The existing portion built between 59 and 10 E was built just after that. The problem is these portions of beltwy 8 are NOT allowed to be toll roads due to the agreement back then, so I do not believe anyone is in a hurry to expand bltwy 8 between 59 and hwy 90. Maybe the new construction will convince the county to change its mind...one can only hope. Maybe once they are finished putting hwy 90 through (just started), they will finish it. Could you imagine the traffic when the construction starts (if it does)?

[Guerilla]

Yeah, and traffic wouldn't be bad. People will just use what they use now, while they put in the freeway between the feeder roads (what people are using).

[AGGIEZ]

Originally Posted by Guerilla

Yeah, and traffic wouldn't be bad. People will just use what they use now, while they put in the freeway between the feeder roads (what people are using).

True. There looks to be plenty of room to expand 59 out past Summerwood without disrupting the frontage road traffic too bad.

[Kandy]

Here is the last I saw on this project:
HCTRA Projects – Sam Houston Tollway - Beltway 8 North East
The Sam Houston Tollway - Beltway 8 North East Project is a 13 mile project, extending from east of US-59 North to south of US-90A East. The engineering is to be completed in Spring 2008. Construction will begin Fall 2008 and will be completed Spring 2011. The estimated construction cost is $215 Million. When completed, the tollway will provide 3 lanes in each direction. This project is dependent upon a formalized agreement with TxDOT.
~K~

[bradnabors]

Aggie,
Agree on Friday traffic, particularly if you are already on the Beltway. Coming from Galleria, you would be better off taking 10 to 59 to avoid most of the traffic.

[gumball3000]

Aggie,
I work in the Galleria and live in Fall Creek. My usual route home is 610-i10-45-610-59 I know it seems like a hassle, but if I leave the office at 4:00 I will be home by 4:35. If I leave after 4:30 it will usually take me about 50 minutes to get home. You could just take 610-i10-59 but if have noticed that traffic is always congested close to downtown, so I try to avoid going through there. Hope this helps.