And this, kids, is why I can't stand Houston
This where I betray my small town roots. I spent five years driving 35-40 miles one way into Houston five days a week. Ask me how much I miss the traffic. Wait, let's not go there; you don't want to get me started. I'm fortunate in that I've rarely had to tacke the I-10/US59 interchange in southwest Houston. Not only is it the busiest interchange in the state, it's one of the worst in the country. Now, in an attempt to fix the problem by exacerbating it, TXDOT has closed the interchange for the entire weekend. My God, what a nightmare that must be....
In addition to selling fuel and snacks, many gas station attendants near the closed portion of U.S. 59 at Loop 610 West are giving something away for free this weekend: directions.
The maze of construction detours around the state's busiest interchange confounded throngs of motorists Saturday, many of whom sought navigational help while making quick pit stops.
While motorists and some nearby business owners were frustrated at losing time or money because of the congestion, gas station owners were pumped up. The increased street traffic caused by the detour also increased the flow of Texas Tea, they said.
"We're doing a lot more business. Saturday is usually an easy day, but this ain't easy. It's busier today than on a weekday," said Melody Williams, a chipper but tired cashier at the Shell station at Westheimer and the West Loop feeder. "I've been selling a lot of extra maps today and a lot of people are asking for directions."
"For every three people who come in, one person asks for directions," said cashier Chris Sheh while sweeping the floor at the Chevron station at Weslayan and the Southwest Freeway feeder road. He said business was also up because of the detours.
Raymond James said he would not have stopped to buy gas at the Texaco station at Fournace and the West Loop feeder road if it hadn't been for the road blocks.
"I got caught in two detours," James grumbled. "It seems that I'm going all the way around the world trying to get home."
James said his round trip from his home at Richmond and Fondren to his mother's house near the Houston Ship Channel usually takes about an hour, but Saturday it took more than two hours. He said he usually takes U.S. 59 on the trip, but he tried to avoid the congestion Saturday by taking Texas 288 to Interstate 45 and then to Loop 610 South. But his plans were foiled by construction near the Ship Channel bridge.
Seabrook may be a sleepy little burg, but one of the reasons I love living here is that a traffic jam is something we rarely see, and when we do it's much smaller. About four years ago, I almost bought a house in southwest Houston. Now I'm grateful that I spared myself the crowds and the traffic, although I'd be much happier if Whole Foods would get off their butts and open a store out our way.
