HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Construction was scheduled to start soon on a redesign of Telephone Road, but plans have changed.
ABC13 has reported on similar delays in other city street projects since Houston Mayor John Whitmire took office last year, and many see this one as yet another attack on cyclists.
The construction project covers Telephone Road from Lawndale Drive to Loop 610, but the first segment in the redesign runs from Lockwood Drive to Lawndale Street.
Traffic engineer Ian Hlavacek lives a few blocks from Telephone Road.
He supported a proposal passed two years ago that would have changed the five-lane road to three lanes, with two bike lanes and room for trees along the sidewalks.
But construction is on hold for now, with the local Tax Zone releasing a new map, showing four lanes, an added traffic light, and no bike lanes.
“One project shouldn’t completely get rid of cars driving. Or get rid of emergency vehicle access, or get rid of pedestrians or cyclists. Every project can work with all of them holistically,” Hlavacek said.
Whitmire has opposed plans for bike lanes across our city, citing safety concerns for cars and emergency vehicles. The mayor even used tax dollars to remove new bike lanes in areas like Austin Street in Midtown.
RELATED: City of Houston paying to remove bike lanes in Midtown, which Harris County paid for
The City of Houston is paying to remove bike lanes in Midtown, which Harris County paid for.
The mayor’s advisor said the new proposal for Telephone Road is all about planning for future growth.
However, business owners ABC13 spoke with, like Jaime Gonzalez at Bloom Handcrafted Beauty Products, say any change at all in the area is worrisome.
“Having that construction right in front of our business is going to be extremely challenging to get the walk-in traffic that we need in order to sustain, so it’s pretty worrisome for me,” Gonzalez said.
City officials said construction on Telephone Road could start next August.
“When I communicate this news with the businesses that are around me, a lot of them are unaware, so I think that there’s lack of communication,” Gonzalez said.
There is a meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. next Tuesday, Aug. 19 at the KIPP Explore Academy on Lawndale Street to address community concerns.
City officials, members of the local tax zone, and residents are expected to attend.
Statement from Marlene Gafrick, infrastructure advisor to Mayor Whitmire:
“We need to plan for the city’s future mobility needs by considering our long-term growth and densification that is associated with redevelopment. The redesigned roadway considers those factors by preserving our general purpose mobility lanes, providing for safe sidewalks and crossings, and adding a traffic signal that was deleted in the previous plan. The reconstruction of Telephone Road is a big investment in the area. We need to take the time to design a road that will serve the residents and businesses of today and in the future.”
Statement from Councilmember Joachin Martinez:
“I encourage community members to participate in the open house, familiarize themselves with the project scope and timeline. It will be another opportunity for the community to review information, ask questions, and share concerns with project officials.”
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