It is not usual that I am in the early morning traffic trying to get around Fort Worth, but a few days ago I found myself in the mix.
I usually consider driving to be rather pleasant, as Fort Worth has signs indicating where your next signal light will be and lights that last long enough for you to pass through them normally without breaking the law.I found the early morning traffic rather brutal. I felt on several occasions that I would either be chased off the street or simply impacted from the rear. I thought that perhaps if the transportation system in the city were perhaps a bit more efficient, traveling would be wonderful.I have learned through research that the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, referred to as "the T," only charges about 9 percent of the cost of a trip on public transportation and as a result plans a fare increase effective Dec. 2.Personally, I have nothing but praise for the Mobility Impaired Services, referred to a MITS, as many large cities do not offer such a service with the use of buses. A fare increase will be justifiable.MITS escorts clients in wheelchairs from the door of their homes onto the buses and secures them on the bus in the wheelchair, takes them to their destination and returns them in the same manner. This is a city with a heart.I am happy about the Trinity Railway Express to and from Fort Worth and Dallas, and so are many other people. It fills a void for some and a need for others.I am anxious to see the proposed 37-mile TEX Rail commuter rail line, which will connect Southwest Fort Worth to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, through downtown Fort Worth, by 2016.I am eager to see the Texas Department of Transportation in an agreement with the North Tarrant Express (NTE) Mobility Partners to expand I-35W and rebuild the existing highway.The I-35W improvements are scheduled for that portion of I-35W from north of I-30 to north of North Loop 820.The approved portion of this expansion is expected to cost $1.6 billion. It's a part of the road referred to as "Texas' most congested highway."All of the improvement plans are marvelous, but with the improvement and widening of I-35W, one of the best things that could take place is a rapid transit train in the median of this busy highway, extending from Meacham Boulevard in the north to Everman Parkway in the south.All of the major intersecting streets along the way could be station stops with stairwells and elevators from the train to the stations on the streets.A rapid transit train in I-35W would enhance the early-morning and late-afternoon rush hours and make the highway a safer and less congested mode of travel. It could include a downtown station that would easily connect with the TEX Rail and the Trinity Railway Express.There is also the possibility of spurs along Meacham Boulevard to the Meacham Airport and Everman Parkway venturing to Sycamore School Road to Hulen Street.I hope the T, the Transportation Department, the Regional Transportation Council and all authorities involved will take notice of this suggestion and consider it.Renetta W. Howard of Fort Worth is a member of the 2012 Star-Telegram Community Columnist Panel.rhowrite@hotmail.comHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
