Development of TX 191 Corridor Brings Promise, New Problems
By: Jackie Smith
Updated: February 14, 2012
MIDLAND/ODESSA -- The Permian Basin is in the grips of a full-swing construction boom,
especially along TX 191 between Midland and Odessa.
On Tuesday night, the Midland-Odessa Transportation Organization presented two different plans for the TX 191 corridor.
Each plan calls for a lot of planning -- including more roads that connect both cities, and take traffic off TX 191. Each plan also features spaces for commercial, retail, and lots more housing.
However, people did have concerns -- including the need for more drainage, to make sure the homes won't flood in a West Texas rainstorm.
Also, people were concerned about how the plan would incorporate all of the existing pump jacks in that area.
Earlier Tuesday, one urban planning official pointed to some other issues that should be ironed out to make the development of the TX 191 corridor smother.
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As of now, The 14 mile ride along TX 191 from Midland to Odessa, isn't much to look at. A sea of brown drought-stricken grass is seen for miles, with drilling rigs doting the horizon. But a new plan is hoping to create an attractive and useful future.
"This is part of the growing together of the two communities," said urban planning manager Craig Farmer.
But before expansion can happen, Farmer says first the service roads along TX 191 need a makeover.
"You can see where people are driving cross country because they can't have two way access to their properties," said Farmer.
Farmer wants to create two-way service roads so driver's can turn around easier. If that happens, it would open up more residential and retail opportunities.
"It's the future of the two cities," said Farmer. "The most opportunity for the two cities and future identities are going to take place in this area."
Dozens of drilling rigs surrounding TX 191 show the future of the area is promising. And as a proud West Texan, Farmer understands West Texas and oil live side by side.
"In most places pumpjacks are an issue," said Farmer. "But in West Texas it's not necessarily a big issue. And you could possibly have residential areas with pumpjacks in close proximity."
But if nothing changes as more people move into the area it could create a traffic catastrophe. And Farmer says the cities are already seeing evidence of congestion.
"There's places where people are driving wherever they want on and off the road," said Farmer. "Over time that's going to create a problem."
But Farmers colorful maps paint a brighter picture for the future of TX 191 -- where the two separate cities become a unified force.
Jackie Smith can be reached via email at jsmith@kmid.tv.
On Tuesday night, the Midland-Odessa Transportation Organization presented two different plans for the TX 191 corridor.
Each plan calls for a lot of planning -- including more roads that connect both cities, and take traffic off TX 191. Each plan also features spaces for commercial, retail, and lots more housing.
However, people did have concerns -- including the need for more drainage, to make sure the homes won't flood in a West Texas rainstorm.
Also, people were concerned about how the plan would incorporate all of the existing pump jacks in that area.
Earlier Tuesday, one urban planning official pointed to some other issues that should be ironed out to make the development of the TX 191 corridor smother.
*************
As of now, The 14 mile ride along TX 191 from Midland to Odessa, isn't much to look at. A sea of brown drought-stricken grass is seen for miles, with drilling rigs doting the horizon. But a new plan is hoping to create an attractive and useful future.
"This is part of the growing together of the two communities," said urban planning manager Craig Farmer.
But before expansion can happen, Farmer says first the service roads along TX 191 need a makeover.
"You can see where people are driving cross country because they can't have two way access to their properties," said Farmer.
Farmer wants to create two-way service roads so driver's can turn around easier. If that happens, it would open up more residential and retail opportunities.
"It's the future of the two cities," said Farmer. "The most opportunity for the two cities and future identities are going to take place in this area."
Dozens of drilling rigs surrounding TX 191 show the future of the area is promising. And as a proud West Texan, Farmer understands West Texas and oil live side by side.
"In most places pumpjacks are an issue," said Farmer. "But in West Texas it's not necessarily a big issue. And you could possibly have residential areas with pumpjacks in close proximity."
But if nothing changes as more people move into the area it could create a traffic catastrophe. And Farmer says the cities are already seeing evidence of congestion.
"There's places where people are driving wherever they want on and off the road," said Farmer. "Over time that's going to create a problem."
But Farmers colorful maps paint a brighter picture for the future of TX 191 -- where the two separate cities become a unified force.
Jackie Smith can be reached via email at jsmith@kmid.tv.
