Mayor Zoidberg

For my next set of updates, I'm treating people to a "driving tour" of my highway system I have thus far. To start today, I am driving along Interstate 50 (Western Airport Freeway section.) I have highlighted it in green. Interstate 50, known locally as the Airport Freeway west of downtown is the primary east-west freeway traversing Tavaris and all of Del Sol County. Starting at Tavaris International Airport (TSX) Interstate 50 heads east into downtown, where it meets with I-9, the primary north-south freeway. The following shots start from the airport and head east. At milepost 0, we see I-50 breaking off from International Way (State Hwy. 81) and beginning its eastbound trek. Very soon after its start, we come to Exit 1, state highway 125, Moreland Blvd. This is hotel row for those with business at the airport, and turning south will take you to the Embassy Suites, Courtyard, Crowne Plaza, and Hampton Inn. Turning north takes you to the Omni and a few restaurants and shopping. Further east, we arrive at Exit 8, Riverside Way (State Hwy. 54) To wrap things up for today, here is Exit 14, State Hwy. 23, the Southlund Freeway. Going south takes travelers to Southlund, the area I documented at the beginning of this city journal. In the foreground along 23 is the St. Anthony Medical Center.

This has been one of my favorite projects so far. I wanted to create a large urban park, similar to the ones seen around Portland, where I live. The following pictures are shots of Riverbend Park, a place in the northeast section of downtown Tavaris for people to come and relax. The south end of the park is also the main center of Del Sol County Parks and Recreation Centers, and is home to softball fields, soccer, a skate park, etc. First off is a small trail going by a pond within the park boundary. Next is the pedestrian bridge over Interstate 9. This connects the rec center fields with the more "nature-y" part of Riverbend Park. Some of the softball fields at the park. My wife and I are currently on a softball league with my company, so I wanted to re-create something similar in Tavaris. And now, a zoomed out view of the rec fields, showing the soccer and skate park areas. And finally, the park hugs the river bank, where residents come to swim. There are also basketball courts. I feel the good citizens of greater Tavaris and Del Sol County have put up with all the construction that goes into building a new city, and therefore am happy to provide Riverbend Park! More updates to come. - Mayor Zoidberg

Just wondering if the Enron building is still around down there. I remember when they switched the name from Enron Field to Minute Maid Park.

Great updates. I'm really looking forward to more freeway pictures. From my time in Houston on business, I was amazed by all the stack interchanges. Houston sure has a lot of wide highways and big interchanges. I was impressed coming from southern California! :-) Keep it up!

Just a few small updates. I have a picture of the northern half of downtown at dusk. And the south side of downtown... And finally I have a close up of State Highway 54 (Riverside Way), which I've completed the landscaping along, and is now home to high end condos. I'll be keeping the updates coming. Thanks for everybody who has left feedback on here thus far.

Looks great! I'm not sure if you're using them, but you can have single ramps that connect directly from the highway to the frontage road. It's part of the NAM. I also wanted to reply to your comment on being unable to imagine driving on a highway without "feeder" roads. I find it amusing, as I grew up in southern California and was used to short ramps that jutted off the Interstate directly to the surface street. Often, drivers have to slow down very quickly. I was on the opposite side of the coin when I was in Texas on business, finding it odd how the frontage roads are used everywhere. I also enjoyed how one of our corporate offices actually has an address that is a freeway (Southwest Freeway, I believe). Guess it just shows how much transit networks vary by city. Keep up the great work. I look forward to more updates.

Looks great. Talk about difficult terrain to build on. I browsed through the pages and didn't see it, but, do you have any shots of the famous Lombard St.? That must've been a chore!

I have to agree with manubeas. Houston is FLAT. I'm talking the original Sim City flat.

Wow! This is a really impressive looking region so far. I have been to Houston on business, and what you described on your first post really matched what I thought of Houston....flat, for one, and sprawling. I was amazed at how far spread out the area was. I drove from the airport, thinking that the area I was headed to was downtown based on all the tall buildings, only to find out my hotel was in Uptown aka the Galleria area. That being said, does Houston have any type of zoning laws? It seems you go from skyscrapers to quiet neighborhoods in under a mile radius. Also, I would love to see some close ups of your freeway system. I've never been to a place that uses frontage roads as extensively, and was wondering if you are using a similar system on your city. Keep up the great work. I look forward to more updates! - Mayor Zoidberg

A few more updates! I am currently working on the northern half of downtown Tavaris. First of all, I have an aerial view of Interstate 9 and its routing through this area. It cuts through the mostly industrial northern half of downtown, and proceeds to run alongside the North Tavaris River. Running right between the northern and southern halves of downtown is Interstate 50, which one can take westbound to the beaches. Next is State Highway 54, Riverside Way. It's a trench running along the extreme northern edge of downtown, essentialy seperating it from the river. The Tavaris Memorial Waterfront Park will be coming soon! Lastly is Interstate 9 at Milepost 108, Constitution Street (1-way eastbound) and Washington St. (1-way westbound into downtown). This is my first attempt to really get clever at making an interchange.

This is looking great so far! I especially like the detail you put into the hills of West Linn and Stafford. I think I saw my house when I viewed your West Linn area! :-)

Thanks for the great feedback. How does one go about getting rid of the water pollution? I'm trying to move industry back a few tiles from the riverfront, unfortunately, the seaport I have creates plenty.

This continues to look better each time I view it. How did you do that toll plaza? Is that a custom puzzle piece? Would you mind telling me where I could find it? I really like this city, and look forward to more updates!

Awesome city journal. I really liked your airport!

It's been a great time in the city of Tavaris, and surrounding Del Sol County. First of all, the mayor has recently cut the ribbon on the new Tavaris Convention Center, located on the south edge of downtown adjacent to I-350. And secondly, I have begun to develop the other side of the river, due south of the downtown area. Currently, it contains a small muni. airport, the largest mall in Del Sol County to date, and a slew of large real estate and commercial developments. In the picture below is Interstate 9 at milepost 92, Fairview Way.