Texas Governor Rick Perry Celebrates 18 Lanes of “Freedom”
Texas officials this week marked the opening of new lanes on the Katy Freeway, a stretch of Interstate 10 that runs 40 miles west from downtown Houston. The state has added 20 miles of interior lanes, including 12 miles of HOV lanes, which officials say will eventually be converted to variable-rate HOT use. The rebuilt Katy Freeway is 18 lanes wide.
The ribbon cutting for the $2.8 billion project was attended by Congressman John Culberson and Governor Rick Perry. The Houston Chronicle was there and got some choice quotes.
"This project, for all intents and purposes, is complete," announcedDelvin Dennis, interim director of the Texas Department ofTransportation's Houston District. "Tomorrow morning the (highoccupancy-toll) lanes open. If you're not doing anything, take a rideon them."
Perry noted the roar of traffic below, above and around the crowd, which was gathered on a frontage road overpass.
"This is the sound of freedom we hear," he said. "These people need roads to get to work, to church and to school."
One kind of freedom Texans don't need, according to the state and Rep. Culberson, is freedom of choice.
Despite its size, the widened freeway adds "just one new 'free'lane, a pair of toll lanes and no significant transit improvement,"said Robin Holzer, chair of the grass-roots Citizens TransportationCoalition.
"Too bad it does not have a space for a commuter rail like ourdesign did," said environmental attorney Jim Blackburn, who triedunsuccessfully to force the state to revise its plans, add mass transitand lessen the project's impact on neighborhoods.
Some still hold out hope for the addition of light rail -- the transit authority chipped in to have overpasses reinforced for train traffic. But the Chronicle reports that Culberson, "whose ability to get federal dollars was crucial to the widening
project, pledged not to give up a single freeway lane for Metro rail."
Culberson may not have much of a say after January, though, depending on the outcome of his tightening race for re-election. As it happens, Culberson challenger Michael Skelly made his fortune in wind energy.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog New York City
Justice Dept., Citing Streetsblog Reporting, Threatens to Sue NYPD Over Cops’ Sidewalk Parking
The city is now facing a major civil rights suit from the Biden Administration if it doesn't eliminate illegal parking by cops and other city workers.
What to Say When Someone Claims ‘No One Bikes or Walks in Bad Weather’
Yes, sustainable modes are more vulnerable to bad weather. But that's why we should invest more in them — not less.
NYC Transit’s New Operations Planning Chief Wants To Fight ‘Ghost Buses’
One-time transit advocate and current MTA Paratransit VP Chris Pangilinan will oversee bus and subway operations for the whole city.
Friday’s Headlines: Gimme Bus Shelter Edition
The days of the Landmarks Preservation Commission reviewing every proposed bus shelter in landmarked districts may be no more. Plus more news.
Deal Reached: Hochul Says ‘Sammy’s Law’ Will Pass
The bill, though imperfect, has been four years in the making.
