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The Ransom Road blues
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| A combination of a road widening project and levee construction has left all lanes of Ransom Road closed just east of two concrete plants, forcing trucks to drive through Riverpark West to access the plants. (Staff photo by Russell Autrey) |
Widening, levee projects clog neighborhood with heavy traffic
By Stephen Palkot
Residents of the Riverpark West neighborhood may have to wait until at least December before they can see relief from a steady stream of heavy trucks that have been rumbling through their streets.
Ransom Road is a two-lane country road that runs between the city of Richmond to the west and Grand Parkway to the east, and Fort Bend County Commissioners Court for years has been looking to widen it from two to four lanes to handle traffic associated with the expanding jail and increasing residential development.
Thus, a project has been under way to widen a segment of the road on its eastern end, near Riverpark West. As a result, both lanes have been closed to traffic exactly in front of River Pointe Church.
The closure, to the dismay of Riverpark West residents, is located just east of two concrete plants, and cuts off their direct access to Grand Parkway. Instead, the trucks have been forced to drive through Riverpark West, on Ransom Road and Williams Way, to access the plants.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Tom Stavinoha acknowledged the road was scheduled to open again on Sept. 3, but he said the project has been delayed for three months.
Stavinoha said engineers and construction crews were caught off-guard by fiber optic lines that had been running under the road, and are having to ensure those utilities are preserved in the widening project.
Also, he points out that the road will be elevated by about eight feet to accommodate a massive levee designed to protect Riverpark and nearby land from Brazos River flooding.
Though the opening of Ransom Road has been delayed significantly, Stavinoha said the lack of rainfall since Hurricane Ike could speed up the project.
Richmond and the county are each paying 10 percent of the road costs, while the remainder is being taken on by private developers and River Pointe Church.
As for the levee project, Stavinoha said that is a joint project by several levee districts that will protect the jail, Riverpark West and River Pointe Church.
Ransom Road is a two-lane country road that runs between the city of Richmond to the west and Grand Parkway to the east, and Fort Bend County Commissioners Court for years has been looking to widen it from two to four lanes to handle traffic associated with the expanding jail and increasing residential development.
Thus, a project has been under way to widen a segment of the road on its eastern end, near Riverpark West. As a result, both lanes have been closed to traffic exactly in front of River Pointe Church.
The closure, to the dismay of Riverpark West residents, is located just east of two concrete plants, and cuts off their direct access to Grand Parkway. Instead, the trucks have been forced to drive through Riverpark West, on Ransom Road and Williams Way, to access the plants.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Tom Stavinoha acknowledged the road was scheduled to open again on Sept. 3, but he said the project has been delayed for three months.
Stavinoha said engineers and construction crews were caught off-guard by fiber optic lines that had been running under the road, and are having to ensure those utilities are preserved in the widening project.
Also, he points out that the road will be elevated by about eight feet to accommodate a massive levee designed to protect Riverpark and nearby land from Brazos River flooding.
Though the opening of Ransom Road has been delayed significantly, Stavinoha said the lack of rainfall since Hurricane Ike could speed up the project.
Richmond and the county are each paying 10 percent of the road costs, while the remainder is being taken on by private developers and River Pointe Church.
As for the levee project, Stavinoha said that is a joint project by several levee districts that will protect the jail, Riverpark West and River Pointe Church.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of fbherald.com.
JShorts wrote on Oct 16, 2008 1:05 PM:
" I live in the Villas Apts near Ransom Rd and I am also experiencing a $55.00 water bill. I pay more to the City of Richmond than houses in the near by ares. I don't understand it. "
jcar wrote on Oct 20, 2008 12:58 PM:
" You are not the only ones paying the unrealistic water bill on top of the MUD taxes. RiverPark West residents start about 65/m, assuming you don't have to water your grass "
RiverPark West Resident wrote on Oct 20, 2008 2:24 PM:
" I would be interested to know who will be paying for the road repairs on Ransom Road and Williams Way left behind from the Concrete and 18-wheel trucks. Also, is it just me or does the height and zig-zag of the new road construction seem like a death trap?!... An 8' drop and an immediate turn with a shoulderless ditch on the outside of the turn?... really?!! Nice job Richmond. Nice Job. "
Irate Pedestrian wrote on Nov 1, 2008 4:37 PM:
" I wouldn't mind the heavy trucks rumbling through our neighborhood if they actually followed the rules of the road...the cement trucks absolutely refuse to stop at the three way stop sign at Hudson Oaks/Ransom Road. I've nearly been run down there four times now. My wife and kids in the stroller almost got run down there as well...
I understand the need of the factory to use the west end of Ransom Road as an outlet, but the least the drivers could do is not blast through stop signs at 35+ mph. And why won't the Sheriff's Office get out there and crack down on this? "
I understand the need of the factory to use the west end of Ransom Road as an outlet, but the least the drivers could do is not blast through stop signs at 35+ mph. And why won't the Sheriff's Office get out there and crack down on this? "
Riverpark Resident wrote on Dec 16, 2008 11:13 AM:
" I also live in Riverpark and notice the amount of potholes in the road. Who will be doing the repairs? The trucks really dont pay attention. They also do not stop at Willowcrest and Randsom Road. I wish there could be some type of patrol on duty.
Lets talk about the water bill. I also get a heavy water bill, but this took place after we started getting our water bill from CIty of Richmond. When we were part of the other water company it was not so bad. But yes we also have to pay for the MUD taxes "
Lets talk about the water bill. I also get a heavy water bill, but this took place after we started getting our water bill from CIty of Richmond. When we were part of the other water company it was not so bad. But yes we also have to pay for the MUD taxes "
S F wrote on Dec 17, 2008 11:55 AM:
" I have been wondering about the water bill too and it is very ridiculous. what is it so different from the rest of the surrounding areas that River park west has to pay so much for water. responsible management or whoever is in-charge from the city of Richmond need to address that. what is different from the previous water company and the city of Richmond?????? we are paying "MUD TAXES" right. "
River Park West Resident wrote on Dec 17, 2008 1:16 PM:
" Now, September, 30 2008 is gone! October, November had come and passed. We are in December, 2008 and almost about to be gone and with all these " tangible Reasons" for the Ransom Rd construction delay, What else should we know why the Road is still NOT open and WHEN ?? "
SlowPoke Rodrigo wrote on Dec 21, 2008 12:23 PM:
" What do you all plan on doing about the huge pot holes being created and worstened every week? I notice you once it was somwhat repaired and then within two months the road has become worse than ever. I think that the best way to fix this evpensive problem would be to enforce the no truck signs posted along Ransom rd. end be sure that these trucks are not allowed through any more. The sherif station down the strret shouldnt have a problem as we are located blocks away. Also it is a waste of money to fill in with black top. This lousy fix last maybe a week and then the rocks and chunks of road start reapeiring days after. I have also treid commenting the crest management to fix lights out in some of the neiborhood, and have recieved no responce. what a place!! "
sylvia rodrigios wrote on Oct 14, 2008 11:52 AM: