What are some good words to describe Houston traffic? Lousy? Gnarly? Urk? Ick? Yuck?
"I've got other words for it, but I'm trying to help you with your news story," Skymike told me sternly.
Well, okay, then what can we expect for Houston-area traffic in 2025? The good news first, all right?
Okay. "The WORST interchange in the state, 610 at the Southwest Freeway, finally that one's finished for now."
Very good, but: "They're talking about an I-10 Katy Freeway elevation increase from downtown to the Loop to alleviate flooding from White Oak Bayou.
"That's going to be a Big Deal," he said. But that's not the half of it.
"The Gulf Freeway, Texas City, that project is here to stay. They will be opening some frontage roads, some feeder area, they're going to open some underpasses, some intersections."
Is this good, Skymike?
"This is the good news for those between Texas City and League City."
Then comes the caution. "But then they'll do the work on the island."
And wait, there's more!
"We're going to have some major, major construction projects. The one that worries me the most is that one downtown Houston -- they're going to retool 45 to go along with I-10 and the Eastex.
"Not only will that be a huge holdup with traffic itself, look at how it will affect buildings, homes, businesses, downtown."
And this is the good news?
"Hey, it's your story, I just work here," Skymike said.
He's right, as usual.