[NovemberCharlie]

Light-rail should be a part of that mix.

Indeed it should, but I have yet to hear what a rail line connecting three destinations (Downtown, the Medical Center, and the Astrodomain) will do to reduce traffic, since it is unlikely anyone would want to go from one such area to the other. They say they intend it to be a "starter set" from which they will build a truly comprehensive rail system.

Because Houston is so decentralized, "truly comprehensive" in my mind would have to be as dense as the Paris Metro -and all of Paris could fit comfortably insde Loop 610.

[weegee]

The center of Houston's population is West Houston (I-10 and Beltway 8). None of the rail lines deal with these areas.

Not all office are (or should be) downtown.

[Willie Green]

Gotta start somewhere.
I'm not familiar with Houston and am unable to comment on specific routes.

[mad puppy]

Light-rail should be a part of that mix.
Indeed it should, but I have yet to hear what a rail line connecting three destinations (Downtown, the Medical Center, and the Astrodomain) will do to reduce traffic, since it is unlikely anyone would want to go from one such area to the other. They say they intend it to be a "starter set" from which they will build a truly comprehensive rail system.

Because Houston is so decentralized, "truly comprehensive" in my mind would have to be as dense as the Paris Metro -and all of Paris could fit comfortably insde Loop 610.

-----

I live just outside of Denver, which is obviously no where near Houston. About the only similarities are 1) a wide spread metro area, 2) traffic congestion and 3) light rail. If done right, I contend that the light rail makes sense. I rode it for several months while working downtown a couple years ago. It was better then buses. Better then driving and having to park, and I had free parking! Taking the light rail to watch the Rockies lose isn't bad either.

Denver is expending, significantly, its light rail AND widening a major highway connecting Denver with the area south of Denver. It's a pain right now with all the construction, but in time, I've gotta believe this will only help relieve traffic. This, of course will cause more people to move here, making traffic bad again.

One additional commonality.... politicians in there greasing wheels and getting greased, big time. Anyone remember Federico Pena?