03:27 PM CST on Tuesday, December 16, 2003

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Question: Hey Darby, How do you get from KHOU over to KIKK to do their traffic? Does Dave Paul help you with the weather when you do that for KIKK also?

Dave Cole

Darby: Dave, glad you asked. The kind people over here at Channel 11 were nice enough to have a microphone wired into the studio so that I can be 2 places at one time and do the traffic, weather and news on Business Radio 650 AM. Yes, David Paul does help me with the weather. He's a valuable tool in the process of learning why the weather does what it does so I can pass it along to you.

Happy Holidays, Darby

Question: Could you please tell me if all of Almeda Road has been re-opened, in lieu of the INFAMOUS SINK HOLE

Thank you, Reva

Darby: Reva, sorry it took me so long but, yes, Almeda road is completely open now! Hurray!

Question: Where can I find out about the HOV lanes in Houston? If I want to know where to get on, when and how, where do I find this information? I can't find it anywhere. I don't usually use the HOV lanes because most of the time I am within the city. When I do go out to the suburbs or out of town I would like to know how to access the HOV lanes and what the rules are. I have spent the last hour going from Web site to Web site searching and can't find it anywhere.

Carolyn Geis

P.S. Tell Deborah Duncan I said hello.

Darby: Carolyn, thanks for asking. This one is easy, just go to METRO's website at http://www.houstontranstar.org/. Then click on HOV lanes and everything you'll need is in there including a place where you can map out your own route. I'll tell Deborah you said hi.

Question: My commute is from Highway 290/ FM 1960 to the Beltway south to Interstate 10. I was pleased to see the toll road authority adding new EZTAG lanes and a whole new lane both north and south on the Beltway between 290 and 10.

But, there is always a but, the ramps from 290 West to the Beltway South have been changed from two lanes to one lane. This causes horrendous tail backs onto both 290 in the morning and the Beltway in the afternoon.

The toll road people are just wasting their (our) money making the lane wider if they make getting on and off more difficult at the same time.

It is so bad that I now use an alternative route that bypasses the Beltway completely.

Russell

Darby: Russell, don't worry about it. Eventually when they finish the widening project on the tollway they will open the second lane on those ramps once again. My advice to you is to every now and then take that way just to see if they've opened them yet. Stay tuned and I'll try and let you know when they do.

Question: What is the best route to take to get to the courthouse on Congress and where is best place to park? I am coming from Baybrook Blvd. area.

Thanks, Lynette

Darby: Lynette, As far as I can tell, coming from Clear Lake, you should take the Houston Ave/Memorial exit off of I-45 as you head northbound through downtown. Memorial turns into Texas once you get into downtown and runs eastbound. Take it to San Jacinto Street and turn left, that will get you to the courts with the least amount of downtown roadwork. As to where to park, anywhere that is close. It's all expensive no matter how you look at it. I do believe that the courthouses have their own parking. You might try that. Plus, a web page dedicated to travel and parking information just for jurors can be found at downtownstreets.com

Question: After 12 years of dealing with traffic, aren't you just sick of it?

Thanks, Phil

Darby: Phil, now there's a good question! Yes, it has been 12 years since I started doing traffic in H-town and I must admit I never get tired of it. You would think it's the same thing over and over and for the most part it is. I mean you have the same conditions day in and day out as long as things go smoothly, but if all "you know what" breaks loose (due to weather, accidents etc.), that really gets my juices flowing. The best part of doing traffic is that even though I'm doing the same thing everyday, traffic changes every five minutes, so it's never the same and that keeps it from being boring.

Question: I have never used the HOV lanes. Is there any advantage in using this lane going from the Eastex Freeway to the Astrodome? Where do I enter and leave?

Scott Gaedcke

Darby: Scott, the HOV lane won't help you due to the fact that Astros games are usually lunch or afternoon games. The HOV is closed during midday for repairs. Then it is only open to northbound traffic in the afternoons leaving you unable to use it. Sorry, but at least traffic is relatively light (for the near future) on the Eastex Freeway so it wouldn't have saved you that much time.

Question: Hey Darby, why aren't there any traffic cameras on I-45 North?

Thanks, Bob

Darby: Bob, there are cameras on I-45 North! They've just become available recently and they cover virtually everything from downtown to Cypresswood, so stay tuned. TxDOT is still having problems with 59 Eastex cameras and says they should be up and running around September/October with any luck.

Question: Construction is underway on Briar Forest between the Beltway and Walnut Bend. For the last several weeks there have been neither men nor equipment at the site. Is this another "permanent" construction detour?

Ronald Barrett

Darby: You're not the first person to inquire about this construction project. I personally haven't been through this stretch of roadwork but it must be a doozy in the afternoons trying to get through there. From what I gather, the construction goes through at least one, if not two, school zones and is not a state project but a Metro project. I'm not sure if they're widening it for safer passage for school kids or in preparation for the widening of I-10 the Katy Freeway in the near future. Either way, you're probably going to have to put up with it for most of the summer. Fortunately though, school will be out soon and traffic will lessen in the afternoons. My guess, and it's only a guess, is that it will be all finished by the time school begins in August. Try using Memorial or Westheimer as alternate routes. I'm sure it's out of your way but it just might save you some time. At least you'll be moving if nothing else.

Question: Darby, I'm trying to get from downtown to Hwy. 290. I'm leaving around 5:30 p.m. Any suggestions of my route and what will be the traffic situation.

By the way, I remember you from Michael Harris Person to Person (radio show). I always enjoyed ya while you were there.

Michael Grace

Darby: Going from downtown to Highway 290 at 5:30 p.m. -- Is there ever a good route? You really only have two options and they are to take I-10 west to 610 and then north from there, which will inevitably leave you stuck once you approach the West (610) Loop interchange all the way to Fairbanks N. Houston.

The other way would be to go north on I-45 to 610 and then go west over to Highway 290. I would think on average that would save you a minute or two. It would be my guess that people heading toward 290 in the afternoon work in the Galleria or downtown areas more often than not.

I still miss those days with Michael Harris over at KCOH. Those were some of the best times of my life.

Question: If there is a wreck, when is it permissible to take the HOV lane?

Lisa

Darby: Good question. The only time it is permissible to use an HOV lane or tollway because of an accident or some other traffic problem is when the Harris County Toll Road Authority is apprised of the problem and then gives the OK for single occupancy vehicles. Word is then spread to the media who in turn relays the message to motorists via radio, television, internet, etc. So stay tuned. When you're in your car in the mornings you can listen to me on Business Radio 650 AM starting at 6:15. Hope you tune me in.