AND YOU THINK YOU HATE CENTRAL NOW?

By the time you read these words, the state of Texas may have given the formal go-ahead for the more than MOO million reconstruction and widening of Central Expressway to eight lanes. Maybe. In late December, Walt Humann, chairman of the North Central Task Force, was hoping for “much more movement” on the project in January or February.

If Humann is right, in February engineers could be working on right-of-way plans and utilities adjustments along Central. But there are several hurdles to clear before Texas’ most-cursed freeway can be widened.

First, the problem of funding: If the sate refuses to fund the project at 100 percent (a slight possibility), the state will have to seek federal funds to make up the shortfall. The resulting red tape could take years to unsnarl.

“That’s why we’re asking the state to belly up to the bar,” says Humann. Once funding is secured, the plan must survive an environmental impact study and public hearings must be held to solicit community opinion on the project. Then, at last, construction can begin.

Humann is optimistic, claiming that Task Force officials and State Highway Commission chairman Bob Lanier have soothed the sore feelings created by an ugly meeting a few months back when Dallas first unveiled the plan to state officials. “Since then, I’ve had six or seven detailed conversations with Bob,” says Humann. “I think he may have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed that day and I don’t think his staff adequately briefed him before the meeting.”

Engineering and design work will take about three years after state funding is acquired. The widening will take another three to four years. Since Central is considered a “short haul” freeway-the average trip is between four and five miles-Humann says current plans don’t call for the construction to be done in segments. Even though four lanes will be open at all times, folks who make the long drive in from Piano will likely take Central-hating to new heights. “For those people particularly, it’s going to be tough,” says Humann.