Like TURF
Follow TURFThe 281 superstreet, a super success
By Terri Hall
San Antonio Express News / Houston Examiner
January 5, 2011
The votes are in from those in the trenches...the 281 superstreet is a smashing success. While we acknowledge it is a temporary fix and feel TxDOT not the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority (the toll authority) should be handling the superstreet fixes, it has relieved some of the worst gridlock on the northside for a mere $7 million. For the first time EVER, commuters can hit all of the lights north of Loop 1604 (in those mega-congested first three miles) GREEN!
Commute times have been shaved by as much as half simply by synchronizing the lights, forcing right turns for the cross traffic, and providing elongated "J"-turns. Kudos to Sam and Gene Dawson and the team at Pape Dawson for providing a much needed short-term fix to one of San Antonio's biggest sore spots. Next up, 1604 West, which should open its superstreet sometime later this year.
Gettin' it right
The 281 superstreet is a shining example of how the community can work together to get the job done. Gene Dawson saw the need, personally committed his company's time and money to coming up with an affordable short-term fix, went to the residents with the proposal, got the community's support FIRST, and together they lobbied their elected officials and transportation entities to get it funded and built in record time and under budget.
Of course, the residents have been begging for simple solutions, like synchronizing the stoplights, for years. But once TxDOT figured out it could raid the pockets of northside residents by imposing tolls, it yanked the promised and FUNDED freeway overpass plan and decided NO fixes would be allowed. Toll roads aren't profitable without unbearable congestion as the alternative. When the residents said 'No' to tolls, TxDOT put the screws to commuters by increasing the stoplight times and neglecting the highway to the point that it's decaying into a pothole ridden, gridlocked mess.
As we continue to advocate for the promised non-toll fix to 281 that was funded through the summer of 2008, it's imperative that our politicians and the government agencies they oversee work WITH the community to avert endless legal gridlock in the courts. When government is tone deaf to the people who pay the bills and tries to punish them when they say 'No,' it's incumbent upon we the people to hold them accountable by reminding them who's the boss. Abusive government has come about due to apathy and the naive belief that our elected officials are looking out for us as they promised.
The fastest way to end both the literal and political gridlock is for the citizens to be in the driver's seat and for government to implement their wishes. Not the other way around. So let's follow the method that works and get our freeways fixed without the rancor of divisive, unaffordable, double tax toll roads.