9 replies to this topic

[bclaridge]

Considering that outside of rush hour, the US 287 freeway in southeast Fort Worth tends to receive little traffic compared with other area freeways, the existing freeway could be converted into a parkway (see this image of Lake Shore Drive in Chicago for an example of what I mean) with landscaped parks and leisure trails--pedestrian and bike trails similar to (and connecting with) the Trinity Trails--flanking either side of the parkway.  All existing frontage roads would be removed.  However, new two-way frontage roads, inaccessible from the parkway mainlanes, could maintain access within the existing street grid currently broken by the freeway where such access is necessary (such as near the Erath Street overpass, south of East Maddox, and in the vicinity of Vaughn/East Berry).  Additionally, access to East Vickery, Cobb Park Drive, and East Maddox from 287 would be removed.

 

Due to the lack of shoulders, the rebuilt corridor would maintain a speed limit of either 45 or 50 MPH, with either 6 or 8 total main lanes (3-4 per direction, excluding auxiliary lanes).  The presence of parks flanking the corridor would also necessitate lower speed limits.

 

Here is a link to my idea.  Naturally, if such a project were to be implemented, such a corridor could promote redevelopment and revitalization, but the effects of gentrification upon residents with lower socioeconomic status would need to be mitigated.

[Austin55]

I live in Mansfield so my commutes to downtown usually take 287. If that we're to happen and there would be a significant amount of time added to my commute, I have an easy option of taking 30 or 35 instead. If this were to the benefit of the neighborhoods in the area, I'd be all for it. I do wonder how 30 and 35 would handle the extra traffic though. 

[John T Roberts]

When this freeway was built in the 1960's, I always thought that it was a part of a long range plan to provide freeway access from Fort Worth to Houston.  Also, if connected into the Interstate Highway System and extended to the northwest, it would provide a more Interstate Highway route from Houston, Fort Worth, and Dallas to Denver.

[RD Milhollin]

The east-west designation "Interstate 48" has not been assigned yet. It could begin south of Ennis at I-35E, and follow US 287 all the way through Fort Worth to Wichita Falls and then to Amarillo and end at Raton, New Mexico where it meets I-25 (north to Puebla, Colorado Springs, and Denver)

 

Oops, just woke up. This route is not listed on any long-term plans published by the DOT for expansion of the interstate highway system.

[Dylan]

There's a 35W and a 35E. How about designating US287 as 45W when the portion near Ennis is completed?

 

That would probably cause some confusion, though.

[Jeriat]

Honestly, I'm fine with the way it is. 

Doesn't look like it should either reduce or expand any time soon. 

[John T Roberts]

Other than leaving the two I-35E and I-35W sections in Dallas and Fort Worth and St. Paul and Minneapolis, and adding the new I-69C, I-69E, and I-69W in far South Texas, I think the Interstate Highway System has been slowly eliminating the N,S,E, & W designations from the highways.  Many times, these have been replaced with different numbers. 

[renamerusk]

US 287 is a major commercial  route that links the Gulf of Mexico to Montana.  It is also the shortest distance between Fort Worth and Amarillo/Denver; and too, it is also a highly used commuting route between Southeast Tarrant County and Downtown/North Fort Worth.  While it could be a very nice project if carried through, it would also require a lot of compromise by the trucking and commuting interests.

 

One thing that has always struck me as odd is the absence of a direct connection to the East Freeway from US 287 northbound. My suspicion is that it may have something to do with the former Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike.

[lcbrownz]

To my knowledge, there has never been an official street name (in Fort Worth) as the East Freeway. Only North, South and West were named as such. There are no street signs located on that portion of I-30 either as there are on the other freeways.

[renamerusk]

To my knowledge, there has never been an official street name (in Fort Worth) as the East Freeway. Only North, South and West were named as such. There are no street signs located on that portion of I-30 either as there are on the other freeways.

 

 A fine point, but I think it was called East Freeway locally when it was the entrance/exit to the DFW Turnpike at Oakland Street.  When the turnpike was removed, it was designated the East Freeway from Downtown to Arlington. Today it is designated the Tom Landry Freeway. 

 

The point is there has always been a need, IMO,  for ramps to connect the MLK Freeway and the Tom Landry Freeway.