Sam Houston Tollway

[BWSchultz]

Ah..thanks, I didn't know about this 'Spectrum'.

I'm not sure if anyone knows anything about the Spectrum project. It's been very shrouded in mystery. Much of it is supposed to be office buildings but let's wait 10 years for that to really take shape.

[clearman]

I got pulled over here in December for going 52 (which is what everyone is driving, if not faster). The cop also cited me for not having a front license plate. Didn't give me a warning, AND didn't even tell me he was citing me. I thought it was just for speeding until I looked at it later.

I have already scheduled a court date in March. I know they will find me guilty, but I want to be heard:

1. No front license plate

- Officer did not verbally inform me that this was a violation. He made no mention of it at all.

- I had the license plate with me in the vehicle and would have happily installed it to avoid the citation

- I installed the license plate later that day (picture to prove it)

- On the drive from my house to the courthouse I passed 20 vehicles that did not have a front license plate. It appears many of the taxpayers of Brazoria County are unaware that this is a violation.

2. 53 in a 35 on Kirby.

- My argument here is that this road should not be a 35 MPH zone.

- It is 2 lanes each way, with a 10 yd median in between.

- There are NO roads or parking lots feeding in this zone

- There are NO traffic signals or stop signs in this zone

- The traffic is incredibly LIGHT

- Everyone routinely drives 50 MPH+ on this road (and I now get my doors blown off when driving 35)

(Pictures of Kirby)

- FM 518 (Pearland's main road) is 2 lanes each way, with NO median, tons of strip mall entry, the busiest road in town by far, traffic lights galore, and is a 45 MPH zone!

- McHard Rd (runs perpendicular to Kirby) is also 4 lanes with NO median, and is a 60 MPH Zone!

- The old SINGLE lane road just west and parallel to Kirby, which has residential entries, is a 40 MPH zone!

(Picture of this road and 40 MPH sign)

[Beltway]

I got pulled over here in December for going 52 (which is what everyone is driving, if not faster). The cop also cited me for not having a front license plate. Didn't give me a warning, AND didn't even tell me he was citing me. I thought it was just for speeding until I looked at it later.

I have already scheduled a court date in March. I know they will find me guilty, but I want to be heard:

1. No front license plate

- Officer did not verbally inform me that this was a violation. He made no mention of it at all.

- I had the license plate with me in the vehicle and would have happily installed it to avoid the citation

- I installed the license plate later that day (picture to prove it)

- On the drive from my house to the courthouse I passed 20 vehicles that did not have a front license plate. It appears many of the taxpayers of Brazoria County are unaware that this is a violation.

2. 53 in a 35 on Kirby.

- My argument here is that this road should not be a 35 MPH zone.

- It is 2 lanes each way, with a 10 yd median in between.

- There are NO roads or parking lots feeding in this zone

- There are NO traffic signals or stop signs in this zone

- The traffic is incredibly LIGHT

- Everyone routinely drives 50 MPH+ on this road (and I now get my doors blown off when driving 35)

(Pictures of Kirby)

- FM 518 (Pearland's main road) is 2 lanes each way, with NO median, tons of strip mall entry, the busiest road in town by far, traffic lights galore, and is a 45 MPH zone!

- McHard Rd (runs perpendicular to Kirby) is also 4 lanes with NO median, and is a 60 MPH Zone!

- The old SINGLE lane road just west and parallel to Kirby, which has residential entries, is a 40 MPH zone!

(Picture of this road and 40 MPH sign)

Good luck, but the judges in Pearland are tough.

[sarahiki]

I got pulled over here in December for going 52 (which is what everyone is driving, if not faster). The cop also cited me for not having a front license plate. Didn't give me a warning, AND didn't even tell me he was citing me. I thought it was just for speeding until I looked at it later.

I have already scheduled a court date in March. I know they will find me guilty, but I want to be heard:

1. No front license plate

- Officer did not verbally inform me that this was a violation. He made no mention of it at all.

- I had the license plate with me in the vehicle and would have happily installed it to avoid the citation

- I installed the license plate later that day (picture to prove it)

- On the drive from my house to the courthouse I passed 20 vehicles that did not have a front license plate. It appears many of the taxpayers of Brazoria County are unaware that this is a violation.

2. 53 in a 35 on Kirby.

- My argument here is that this road should not be a 35 MPH zone.

- It is 2 lanes each way, with a 10 yd median in between.

- There are NO roads or parking lots feeding in this zone

- There are NO traffic signals or stop signs in this zone

- The traffic is incredibly LIGHT

- Everyone routinely drives 50 MPH+ on this road (and I now get my doors blown off when driving 35)

(Pictures of Kirby)

- FM 518 (Pearland's main road) is 2 lanes each way, with NO median, tons of strip mall entry, the busiest road in town by far, traffic lights galore, and is a 45 MPH zone!

- McHard Rd (runs perpendicular to Kirby) is also 4 lanes with NO median, and is a 60 MPH Zone!

- The old SINGLE lane road just west and parallel to Kirby, which has residential entries, is a 40 MPH zone!

(Picture of this road and 40 MPH sign)

good luck with that. I sure hope reason wins out. It would be great if they not only voided your ticket, but changed the speed limit.

I wouldn't be optimistic though.

[dizzyedge]

2. 53 in a 35 on Kirby.

- My argument here is that this road should not be a 35 MPH zone.

- It is 2 lanes each way, with a 10 yd median in between.

- There are NO roads or parking lots feeding in this zone

- There are NO traffic signals or stop signs in this zone

- The traffic is incredibly LIGHT

- Everyone routinely drives 50 MPH+ on this road (and I now get my doors blown off when driving 35)

(Pictures of Kirby)

- FM 518 (Pearland's main road) is 2 lanes each way, with NO median, tons of strip mall entry, the busiest road in town by far, traffic lights galore, and is a 45 MPH zone!

- McHard Rd (runs perpendicular to Kirby) is also 4 lanes with NO median, and is a 60 MPH Zone!

- The old SINGLE lane road just west and parallel to Kirby, which has residential entries, is a 40 MPH zone!

(Picture of this road and 40 MPH sign)

The area where I live now got annexed by Pearland last year. The 1st thing they did was reduce the speed limits and put up stop signs in unnecessary annoying places.

It's all about the money.

One Pearland cop who lives in my neighborhood got sneaky. He normally parks his patrol car in the street...but every once in a while..he's in it with his radar on, giving tickets to anyone who goes over 25.

Kirby has no business being 35mph..it's ridiculous.

They clearly aren't using the '85th percentile method' or a recommendation by a traffic engineer..but are controlling the speed limits to tax the public.

I wish they'd put speed limits on streets up for discusson, instead of deciding it for themselves.

Edited January 25, 2008 by dizzyedge

[Ross]

Clearman, I've hear that many officers will cite you for two infractions, then when you go to court offer to plead guilty to the non-moving violation, in your case failure to display front license plate, then the judge tosses the speeding ticket.

[hbcu]

does Kingsley go to the Beltway?

[njvisitor]

I'm not sure if anyone knows anything about the Spectrum project. It's been very shrouded in mystery. Much of it is supposed to be office buildings but let's wait 10 years for that to really take shape.

Fortunately, the Spectrum project recently began construction a few months ago, so it should be done in a few years.

Here's the website: http://www.thespectrumclearcreek.com/about...=about⊂=

[Chamo]

does Kingsley go to the Beltway?

It does, changing it name to Almeda School as soon as you leave SCR & Pearland; Once you hit BW8, only option is to head East. If you want to go West, you can either U-turn at Kirby or right before you get to BW8 make a left at the stop sign at Riley rd and it will take you to 521 just south of the tollway.

[12thManFan]

Here is what really pisses me off about all the cops on that stretch of Kirby. Every day I drive Kirby from up near 518, all the way to the beltway. Along the way, I see lots of kids riding their bikes to school, and then I pass Marek elementary where there is a reduced speed school zone. I very, very, very (as one time I did) see a cop checking speeds on the SCR stretch of Kirby where children are trying to get to school in the morning.

ALL the TIME in the morning I see cops on the stretch of Kirby mentioned in this thread. I've yet to be pulled over (but I'm sure it'll happen at some point), but when I do the first thing I'm going to ask the cop is why they are so concerned with me going 35 on a four lane stretch of road with no development when people are screaming up and down Kirby in SCR?? I'll point blank ask him if he thinks my $200 ticket is more important than the safety of school children. That should be fun, probably worth the money I'll pay for the ticket. Are they that concerned that I'll be driving so fast that I'll vere off the road and run over one of those pretty new street lights? Maybe they're afraid I'll tear up the grass or something....or they just want the money (bingo).

[BWSchultz]

Speaking of speed traps and all of that, Shadow Creek Parkway has changed it's speed limits. I think it is 50 mph east of Kingsley, dropping to 45 east of Kirby. This is all in preparation for the expansive retail being built now and the Nolan Ryan Middle School opening in the fall.

Next up: Stoplights. I'm sure we'll see stoplights at Reflection Bay and Business Center Drive in no time. When they'll make the road a 4 or 6-lane divided street, I have no idea. My idea would be something like Bay Area Blvd in Clear Lake. If they only make 2234 four lanes, I would be disappointed. It's going to be very busy, very soon. Especially when they drop in another 2 or 3 stoplights.

[clearman]

Went to court today. Officer didn't show up.

Prosecutor said "Unless you want to make a deal, this will go to trial"

Me: Well, the officer isn't here, so it will get dismissed.

Her: He's out because of surgery, so the judge could just reassign the date.

Me: I don't think that's going to happen, but if you have something to offer let's hear it.

Her: Deferred adjudication and $200 on the speeding, pay the no front plate.

Me: Ha! You must be joking. Dismiss the speeding and I'll pay the non moving violation front plate, which is a BS anyways.

Her: done

I probably should have gotten the whole thing dismissed, but I didn't want to risk the judge resetting the court date if this officer was in fact out due to surgery.

[marmer]

Southfork between CR 92 and 288 is another good one. Posted 30! Two lanes each direction with a median and sidewalks 20 feet from the road. Yes, there are subdivision entrances but no houses front on this road. There's occasionally a Brazoria County sheriff's deputy out there hiding behind some trees and they usually get someone. This should be at least 40.

[dizzyedge]

Southfork between CR 92 and 288 is another good one. Posted 30! Two lanes each direction with a median and sidewalks 20 feet from the road. Yes, there are subdivision entrances but no houses front on this road. There's occasionally a Brazoria County sheriff's deputy out there hiding behind some trees and they usually get someone. This should be at least 40.

Yep, I saw him out there yesterday morning hiding behind some bushes. It's a good thing they don't have laser radars..I can pick up his signal way ahead of time.

There's no reason that street should be 30mph. There's nothing in that stretch, even schools.

...Another example of unfair taxation.

[CoolBuddy06]

I am probably not the only one to notice this, but for all you folks driving on the new stretch of Kirby Drive between 2234 (Shadowcreek parkway) and the Sam Houston tollway - be careful! The posted limit is only 35mph, but with no stops and no development along that stretch (yet), it's easy to go 50mph+. And that is where the danger comes in, because almost every time I've driven through there I've seen a cop either giving a speeding ticket, or parked and set to pounce on an unwary driver.

This stretch could qualify as a speed trap, at least to my mind, so be careful folks.

35? Holy!! I visit my friends in SCR regularly and use that stretch of Kirby whenever. I have to confess to 65mph. Wifey cautioned me so I know. Thank God I've been fortunate with those mean Pearland cops.

Talking about cops, I call 288 from 610 to Hwy 6 'CIA' (Cop infested area)

[JLWM8609]

I saw the news this morning on KHOU talking about how the tollway is getting PFC asphalt on the section to the north of 290 to help curb hydroplaning. 288 south of 610 and portions of I-45 south already have PFC asphalt, and from what I've experienced on those sections, PFC not only absorbs water because of its porous surface, but provides a quieter ride. TxDOT usually has to mill and resurface asphalt lined roads every 5 years or so, but they're expecting this surface to last 15 years before it needs replacement.

Here's the video.

http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/kho...d.698724dc.html

[CDeb]

I saw the news this morning on KHOU talking about how the tollway is getting PFC asphalt on the section to the north of 290 to help curb hydroplaning. 288 south of 610 and portions of I-45 south already have PFC asphalt, and from what I've experienced on those sections, PFC not only absorbs water because of its porous surface, but provides a quieter ride. TxDOT usually has to mill and resurface asphalt lined roads every 5 years or so, but they're expecting this surface to last 15 years before it needs replacement.

Here's the video.

http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/kho...d.698724dc.html

I saw that too. They also said they're using a new mix that supposedly reduces the plugging problems that greatly reduce PFC asphalt's draining effectiveness after a couple of years.

[editor]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Harris County's Sam Houston Tollway Coming Full Circle

With Construction of its Final Segment - Sam Houston Tollway Northeast Project

Houston (July 8, 2009) - The Harris County Toll Road Authority's (HCTRA's) flagship roadway, the Sam Houston Tollway, is coming full circle beginning this week, with construction of its final segment. The much anticipated 13-mile stretch in the northeast quadrant of the system will connect US 59 North and US 90 East - completing the 75-mile loop of the Sam Houston Tollway to better meet the needs of the vast population growth in northeast Harris County. Once complete, this segment of the tollway will provide three lanes in each direction.

The project will improve access from the Ship Channel Bridge to US 59 North and IH 45 North, and may provide some congestion relief on those heavily traveled thoroughfares. Multiple access points to major cross streets will further enhance mobility in the region. Landscaping and beautification elements along the tollway will be implemented once construction of the roadway is complete and will follow the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Houston District aesthetic guidelines for the corridor.

Construction of the Sam Houston Tollway Northeast segment will occur simultaneously throughout the corridor during an anticipated twenty-one month schedule. The project is expected to be completed in Spring 2011 and will cost approximately $400 million. For more information about the project, please visit www.hctra.org.

About the Harris County Toll Road Authority: HCTRA was created in 1983 after an overwhelming majority of Harris County voters authorized the issuance of up to $900 million in bonds to build and operate the region's first toll roads. Today, the Toll Road Authority operates and maintains a 107-mile system in the Houston/Harris County area and 12-miles in Fort Bend County, for a total of 119-miles. The Toll Road system connects motorists from Pasadena to downtown Houston, from Spring-Cypress to Fort Bend, from the Grand Parkway to the Galleria, and nearly all points in between. Each weekday, nearly half a million vehicles use HCTRA toll roads to get to their destinations quickly and safely, while easing congestion on the region's free thoroughfares. Tolls collected on HCTRA roadways allow the system to be completely self-supporting. Harris County's careful financial management of the toll road system has consistently earned superior bond ratings, increased cash reserves, and est

ablished responsible planning for the maintenance and upkeep of existing roadways as well as future expansion needs.

[ricco67]

....Once complete, this segment of the tollway will provide three lanes in each direction.

Three lanes?

C'mon, Make it at least 4! There are going to be some seriously wide loads heading to and from the ship channel and Galveston.

[lockmat]

Three lanes?

C'mon, Make it at least 4! There are going to be some seriously wide loads heading to and from the ship channel and Galveston.

aren't there lots of different places on the beltway that have 3 lanes?

but maybe you're right, there are parts of the beltway just east of 45 that can get pretty bad sometimes.

Edited July 9, 2009 by lockmat

[musicman]

aren't there lots of different places on the beltway that have 3 lanes?

try two.

[TheNiche]

Three lanes?

C'mon, Make it at least 4! There are going to be some seriously wide loads heading to and from the ship channel and Galveston.

Wide loads aren't permitted on Beltway 8. They'd wipe out the toll plazas.

[CDeb]

Three seems like it will be plenty for this segment for a long time to come.

[JLWM8609]

Took em' 40+ years, but at least it's finally coming.

[samagon]

Three lanes?

C'mon, Make it at least 4! There are going to be some seriously wide loads heading to and from the ship channel and Galveston.

At least it won't be 2 lanes like it is from southwest fwy to gulf fwy.

That was a horrible mistake by the planners.

[TheNiche]

At least it won't be 2 lanes like it is from southwest fwy to gulf fwy.

That was a horrible mistake by the planners.

At the time, Pearland was merely a dot on a map...not the blob that it has become. Most folks associated 288 with a place that they could speed freely, without any congestion, ever. Most folks also associated the land around Beamer, Sabo, and Blackhawk with toxic waste and PISD schools rather than super-affordable housing on tiny lots.

Much has changed, and it happened faster than I think anybody could have foreseen by merely analyzing data and trends.

Fortunately, construction ought to begin soon on a much-needed widening project for this segment.

Edited July 10, 2009 by TheNiche

[Original Timmy Chan's]

At the time, Pearland was merely a dot on a map...not the blob that it has become. Most folks associated 288 with a place that they could speed freely, without any congestion, ever. Most folks also associated the land around Beamer, Sabo, and Blackhawk with toxic waste and PISD schools rather than super-affordable housing on tiny lots.

You call it toxic waste, I think it just made us stronger...like Spiderman.

I don't know about toxic waste about Beamer/Sabo/Blackhawk. Only Superfund site I know of was Brio, closer to Friendswood than Sagemont/Kirkmont/Beverly Hills.

Anyhow, the South Belt was congested the day it opened. I was living in Pearland at the time that the Tollway opened, and the South Belt was bumper to bumper from Telephone Road to the SW Fwy from day one.

I definitely think it was poor planning. And poor management that 13 years later, there still has not been a widening project there.

That being said, I thought I saw a quote from El Franco Lee earlier this year saying that a widening project would be kicking off this year. Was I dreaming or just high?

[musicman]

That being said, I thought I saw a quote from El Franco Lee earlier this year saying that a widening project would be kicking off this year. Was I dreaming or just high?

according to their website, it doesn't look like it.

[rsb320]

I agree that the south belt needs another lane (or two) especially between 288 and 59.

Also, why the heck did they not put in an interchange at 288?

[musicman]

Also, why the heck did they not put in an interchange at 288?

the amount of traffic just didn't warrant it at the time of construction. 225 doesn't have one either.