An independent review of TxDOT's proposed expansion of I-10 through downtown El Paso highlights several flaws and a price tag close to $800 million.
A third-party review of the Texas Department of Transportation's plan to expand Interstate 10 through downtown El Paso "found expanding I-10 in the Downtown area would not reduce congestion, instead it would bring more short local trips onto the freeway," reports Jennifer Cuevas.
"For his review, Norman Marshall, president of Smart Mobility Inc., looked at traffic data, speed count and the TxDOT El Paso Regional Modeling Files for the 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan." This doesn't surprise transportation planners who warn that building more lanes simply induces more driving and increased congestion. "Of the two additional lanes TxDOT has proposed, one would serve as a general purpose lane and the other as a transit-adaptive lane," Cuevas writes. "The problem with the transit-adaptive lane is TxDOT has not explained in detail what their purpose would be, according to Marshall."
"Rather than expanding, one of Marshall’s recommendations is to consider a street collector distributor concept to the west of Downtown." This approach would "keep the local traffic off the road, you keep it on the streets and therefore you let the freeway operate as an express facility," writes Marshall in the report. The report also adds that "The major issue with the I-10 Segment 2 Expansion Proposal review is it’s based on the Metropolitan Transportation Plan for 2045, instead of the MTP 2050 plan."
FULL STORY: Proposed expansion in I-10 Downtown could cost over $780 million
If You Build It, Cars Will Come: the Common-Sense Logic of 'Induced Demand'
Highway expansion has been shown, time and again, to increase traffic and congestion. Cities are finally getting the message.
El Paso Freeway Cap Linked to Road Expansion
A deck reconnecting neighborhoods divided by the interstate is part of a controversial freeway expansion proposal.
When Will We Believe in Induced Demand?
The well-documented concept has yet to catch on in state departments of transportation, but acknowledging it could dramatically transform U.S. transportation policy.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service