Traffic congestion is a daily reality for many residents of Galveston, Houston, and surrounding areas. With roads often ranked among the most congested in the state, drivers are seeking answers to improve the flow and ease the strain.
Galveston and Houston commuters always have to deal with traffic jams on the roads. In fact, one-third of Texas' top 100 most crowded roads are in the Houston area. The West Loop near the Galleria is still the most crowded road in the state for the third year in a row, even though traffic is getting worse.
The Texas A&M Transportation Institute says that roads like the West Loop are vital for connecting two of the busiest freeway routes in North America. David Schrank, Senior Research Scientist, said, "We want to cut down on traffic, but it will take time." With Houston, Katy, and Galveston, 33 of the top 100 most crowded roads in Texas are in this area.
Even though TxDOT and neighborhood groups are trying to help, the situation is still terrible. Studies have shown that wait times are getting shorter, but problems like better traffic control and more infrastructure are still critical. People in the area, like Jack Minr, are angry about how inefficient long journeys that can last for hours are.
As Galveston and Houston continue to grow, these traffic problems will need to be fixed if commuters across the area are to have a better quality of life.
A Texas-based subsidiary of Canadian utility EPCOR Utilities has filed plans to convert a decommissioned power plant on Galveston Bay into a central desalination facility, signaling a new push to address the state’s long-term water security challenges.
The City of Galveston has announced plans to create a National Juneteenth Center at the site where freedom was proclaimed for enslaved Texans in 1865, marking an essential step toward preserving the city’s historic role in the nation’s emancipation story.
Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen has reached a confidential agreement with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, resolving a legal battle over his peace officer’s license that has stretched for more than a year.