06:20 PM CST on Friday, March 24, 2006

Wendell Edwards / 11 News

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Future construction on a new transportation hub for HISD has caused some concern for residents in northwest Houston.

Residents said a new bus barn is only going to create more traffic headaches in what is already considered a congested area.

HISD said the project is already moving forward, but the bus barn battle is far from over.

There are clear signs of progress just off Pinemont in northwest Houston.

New subdivisions are taking shape and buildings are being constructed.

But for Penny Cretsinger, a new bus barn is one project too much.

"My main concern is the traffic," she said.

Cretsinger is president of the Forest West Homeowners Association. She and her neighbors said a new bus barn this close to her neighborhood would cause all kinds of traffic problems.

"I'm just really concerned this neighborhood is going to get flooded and we won't be able to get out of our neighborhood," she said.

"I'll probably stay at home during anytime the buses might be running because they'll crowd the streets and the feeder road on 290," Martha Barnard said.

HISD said its current northwest bussing facility is just too small.

The new, larger $10 million facility will serve about 8,500 students with nearly 200 buses departing daily.

"We are building a brand new road from that site directly to the 290 feeder road so the buses won't be traveling down Pinemont," said Terry Abbott, HISD press secretary.

HISD said the project is already a done deal approved by the board earlier this year. But residents said no matter what they aren't giving up the fight to stop it.

"They may own it. There's not a building on it. There's not any concrete poured. It's not a done deal until they pour concrete and put a building on it," Cretsinger said.

The board still needs to hire a contractor.

Construction could begin as early as May if neighbors don't find a way to stop it first.