Are the new Central Expressway HOV entrance signs badly placed?

by PegNews wire

According to this recent article in the DMN, TX-DOT may need to add some more signs announcing the new HOV lanes on Central Expressway. The signs are so close to the actual entrances, that drivers might not see them until it's too late. As anyone driving on Central knows, that will probably not stop drivers from trying to get over anyway, which could be dangerous. TX-DOT admits they may need to add more signs and will be looking into it.

Posted by Erin

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Martin K, says:

My question is, how does it make sense that you can't enter the HOV lane if you're already on 75, only if you come from 635???? I'm driving on 75 between Walnut Hill and Legacy, which means even if I carpool, I will not be able to use the HOV lane, because the only entrance open to me is at Parker and the next exit is already beyond Legacy. What the heck were they thinking???

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1 year, 11 months ago
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ryetronics, says:

Martin,

I haven't tried this yet, but I believe if you are heading North on 75, exit Midpark and there should be an entrance soon thereafter to the HOV. It's been there this whole time but was always closed for obvious reasons.

Here's a picture of what I'm talking about. http://tinyurl.com/3bnoma

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1 year, 11 months ago
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Clay213, says:

Martin:

My assumption would be that the HOV lane at that point is to reduce congestion at the 635/75 interchange.

One of the problems there is so many merges and on/off ramps in such proximity.

By having the HOV lane go directly from 635 to 75 with no other entrances at that point you will move vehicles out of the congested area faster.

If they had an HOV entrance from 75 at that point-- it would pretty much defeat the purpose.

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1 year, 11 months ago
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Martin K, says:

ryetronics,

thank you for the info. I drive up 75 every day and haven't seen any entrance. If it's there, it sure isn't obvious.

Clay213,

I guess so, but that assumes that all the heavy traffic coming from 635 will be eligible for the HOV lane, which is think is less likely than traffic coming from downtown being shared rides.

To me, the purpose should be, yes, to clear up congestion, but I don't think a lane that can't be used by many cars and is limited to a specific entrance will do that. It sure hasn't on Friday, when 75 was a parking lot while every 5 minutes or so a car zipped by in the HOV lane.