Is that a car? Or a tin can on wheels....

Some say it looks more like a shoebox with wheels. Whatever it is, the "Peel" does seem to have a bit of "appeel" to it. Yes, bad pun.

The Peel is just one of several ultra-small vehicles making a comeback especially in Europe. These ultra-smalls are nothing new. For years, especially in the 60's, small cars were the norm in European countries. Now, because of extremely high fuel prices, many motorists are once again buying them up. Below is a link with some more photos:

http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/leisure/2012/01/23/worlds-smallest-car-returns/?intcmp=features#slide=1

Don't expect to see them on the streets of Southeast Texas any time soon. But then again, isn't that what they said about the "Smart Car"?

Marc S.

"Open House" on Eastex Freeway improvements

The heaviest traveled four-lane highway in the Beaumont District is about to see some big improvements. If you drive one of the 100,000 vehicles that travel Eastex Freeway every day, you know navigating the busy highway during rush hour traffic can be a daunting challenge.  The Texas Department of Transportation and local transportation planners are teaming up to make changes that could significantly improve congestion. 

And they want to know your opinion on those proposed changes.

Transportation experts propose moving exit ramps, closing some entrance ramps and extending the frontage road along a section of Eastex near Delaware. While the project is still some time away, TxDOT and the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC) are holding a public meeting to show the proposed plan and get ideas and opinions from those who travel the highway.

The “open house” style public meeting is set for January 12^th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m..  It will be held at the SETRPC at 2210 Eastex Freeway in Beaumont. At the meeting, motorists will be able to look at proposed plans and speak with transportation engineers and planners.

The estimated $ 4 million project is slated to begin in the fall of 2013 and is part of an overall effort to eventually convert the section of highway to 6-lanes. 

Marc S.

New US 69 interchange design

OK.  It's not quite as bad as the interchange in the above photo. 

However, one of Southeast Texas' busiest interchanges has to be the I-10 and US 69 (Eastex Freeway) interchange.  During rush hour it can quickly becomes traffic jam, especially during the northbound afternoon commute.

To take some the sting out of your afternoon commute (and some out of your morning one), transportation officials are looking to completely revamp the interchange. Some big proposals to northbound Eastex are to:

1.  Extend the northbound frontage road under the 11th Street overpass
2.  Move the 11th Street exit ramp to Lucas further back
3.  Close the short northbound entrance ramp from Delaware to northbound Eastex.
4.  Build a new exit ramp to Delaware further back. This could be built on I-10 just after the 11th Street exit.
5.  Close the northbound Delaware.  (Delaware would use the Lucas exit)

All of these are proposals, just proposals.  Nothing has been set in stone. TxDOT and the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission are holding an open house public meeting to get your ideas, thoughts and opinions. Here's the details.

Where:  SETRPC, 2210 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont 77703
When:   January 12, 2012
Time:    5 p.m. to 7:30


Make sure to drop in, check out the maps and give us your thoughts.

Marc S.