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Sunday
March 21, 2010 Since 1922 |
McNair resident continues fight against TXDOT
By Maria Narciso
Baytown Sun Published August 22, 2005 Plans to change the way traffic flows in McNair face opposition by residents, who say the construction will cause major traffic problems in the area.
The project, which will convert two-way frontage roads to one-way frontage roads in the two-mile stretch from Thompson Road to John Martin Road, according to Quincy Allen, Harris County area engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation.
Allen said he understands that the $1.8 million project will be an inconvenience for McNair residents, who will have to take a longer path to reach Harlem Elementary. However, TXDOT policy requires frontage roads to be one-way.
“It’s a lot safer to have a one-way street,” Allen said. “There’ll be no confusion with cars going the wrong way.”
The project will also remove about four existing “buttonhooks,” a term TXDOT uses to describe sharp-curved exit ramps along the freeway on the opposite sides of Wade Road.
Allen said the buttonhook ramps were dangerous because drivers “almost have to stop” to make the curve.
“When you look at a buttonhook, you don’t need to access data to tell someone not to do it,” he said.
A small section in front of Harlem Elementary to Wade Road will remain two-way, according to Allen.
The two-way section was at first a concern for Harlem principal Michael Wahl, who did not like the idea of limiting access to the school. However, a TXDOT presentation April 14 showed the two-way section would remain untouched, and he said it put his mind at ease.
“If there was no way to come from Wade Road to Harlem, that would be a safety concern,” Wahl said. “If we need an emergency vehicle, I would want it to get here as soon as possible.”
However, James Fretty, president of the Concerned Citizens of McNair and unofficial spokesman for the community, said making the frontage roads one-way and closing off the buttonhook ramps will only add to the traffic, putting Harlem students “in peril.”
Fretty plans to hold a public meeting to further discuss the project at 7 p.m. Sept. 1 at the JD Walker Community Center, 7613 Wade Road.
He said Harlem Elementary parents, regardless of whether or not they are McNair residents, should attend the meeting.
Fretty said closing the buttonhook ramps would box in the McNair community as well as the school. Those trying to enter McNair would be forced to exit John Martin Road and take the frontage road that runs past Harlem, adding more congestion, he said.
Allen said he spent three hours listening to the concerns of 10 McNair residents, including Fretty, in a meeting at Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia’s office April 28.
Since the meeting, TXDOT received about 300 written letters from the project. Allen said TXDOT is trying to address McNair residents’ concerns one at a time. Fretty said TXDOT has been unresponsive to his letter.
“I understand the desire to conveniently travel the way they’re used to, but we’ve got to bring the roads to standards,” Allen said. “It’s less convenient, but hopefully there are safety improvements. “
Allen said he has not been invited to the Sept. 1 meeting.
“I appreciate (Fretty’s) concerns, but I don’t know what else to do to make this better,” he said.
The project is expected to begin this fall and be completed in less than a year, according to Allen.
Baytown resident Sarah Schoch said she was surprised at Harlem’s volume of traffic, which forced her to wait almost an hour before she reached the school. “I thought I would just be able to pick up (my children) and leave,” she said.
To improve traffic, Schoch said the frontage road should be widened to four lanes.
If conditions do not improve, Schoch said she would consider attending the Sept. 1 meeting to see what could be done.
Breakout
Public meeting
When: Sept. 1
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: JD Walker Community Center, 7613 Wade Road
Baytown Sun Published August 22, 2005 Plans to change the way traffic flows in McNair face opposition by residents, who say the construction will cause major traffic problems in the area.
The project, which will convert two-way frontage roads to one-way frontage roads in the two-mile stretch from Thompson Road to John Martin Road, according to Quincy Allen, Harris County area engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation.
Allen said he understands that the $1.8 million project will be an inconvenience for McNair residents, who will have to take a longer path to reach Harlem Elementary. However, TXDOT policy requires frontage roads to be one-way.
“It’s a lot safer to have a one-way street,” Allen said. “There’ll be no confusion with cars going the wrong way.”
The project will also remove about four existing “buttonhooks,” a term TXDOT uses to describe sharp-curved exit ramps along the freeway on the opposite sides of Wade Road.
Allen said the buttonhook ramps were dangerous because drivers “almost have to stop” to make the curve.
“When you look at a buttonhook, you don’t need to access data to tell someone not to do it,” he said.
A small section in front of Harlem Elementary to Wade Road will remain two-way, according to Allen.
The two-way section was at first a concern for Harlem principal Michael Wahl, who did not like the idea of limiting access to the school. However, a TXDOT presentation April 14 showed the two-way section would remain untouched, and he said it put his mind at ease.
“If there was no way to come from Wade Road to Harlem, that would be a safety concern,” Wahl said. “If we need an emergency vehicle, I would want it to get here as soon as possible.”
However, James Fretty, president of the Concerned Citizens of McNair and unofficial spokesman for the community, said making the frontage roads one-way and closing off the buttonhook ramps will only add to the traffic, putting Harlem students “in peril.”
Fretty plans to hold a public meeting to further discuss the project at 7 p.m. Sept. 1 at the JD Walker Community Center, 7613 Wade Road.
He said Harlem Elementary parents, regardless of whether or not they are McNair residents, should attend the meeting.
Fretty said closing the buttonhook ramps would box in the McNair community as well as the school. Those trying to enter McNair would be forced to exit John Martin Road and take the frontage road that runs past Harlem, adding more congestion, he said.
Allen said he spent three hours listening to the concerns of 10 McNair residents, including Fretty, in a meeting at Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia’s office April 28.
Since the meeting, TXDOT received about 300 written letters from the project. Allen said TXDOT is trying to address McNair residents’ concerns one at a time. Fretty said TXDOT has been unresponsive to his letter.
“I understand the desire to conveniently travel the way they’re used to, but we’ve got to bring the roads to standards,” Allen said. “It’s less convenient, but hopefully there are safety improvements. “
Allen said he has not been invited to the Sept. 1 meeting.
“I appreciate (Fretty’s) concerns, but I don’t know what else to do to make this better,” he said.
The project is expected to begin this fall and be completed in less than a year, according to Allen.
Baytown resident Sarah Schoch said she was surprised at Harlem’s volume of traffic, which forced her to wait almost an hour before she reached the school. “I thought I would just be able to pick up (my children) and leave,” she said.
To improve traffic, Schoch said the frontage road should be widened to four lanes.
If conditions do not improve, Schoch said she would consider attending the Sept. 1 meeting to see what could be done.
Breakout
Public meeting
When: Sept. 1
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: JD Walker Community Center, 7613 Wade Road