A coalition of 76 Montrose organizations and businesses through Friends of the Boulevard is calling on the city of Houston and the Montrose TIRZ board to make safety improvements part of the reconstruction plan for West Alabama Street.
The details
According to the coalition, nearly 500 crashes occurred on West Alabama Street between 2018 and 2024, and it believes the reconstruction should use proven street-design and traffic-safety measures to reduce the risk of future crashes.
“West Alabama is a civic spine for Montrose, connecting homes, businesses, schools, parks, libraries and cultural institutions,” said Alexander Spike, a spokesperson for the coalition. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a street that works safely for everyone. These recommendations are practical improvements that can make the project safer without sacrificing mobility.”
The breakdown
The coalition's recommendations to the city and TIRZ include:
Build pedestrian islands into the center lane, while retaining dedicated left-turn locations where needed
Provide a safe crossing every 500–600 feet
Make traffic signals prioritize pedestrians by giving them a head start, banning right turns on red and designing signal timing around a 30 mph travel speed
Build sidewalks at least 6 feet wide, with widths of 7–8 feet where mature trees and available space allow
Identify and fund a parallel bike route through the Montrose Greenways study
Measuring the impact
The recommendations build on nearly a decade of community planning around West Alabama and are intended to complement the city's existing investments in drainage, sidewalks and roadway reconstruction, Friends of the Boulevard officials said.
“We recognize the city's commitment to revitalizing West Alabama, and we share the goal of delivering a successful project,” Spike said. “By making these targeted safety improvements now, Houston can create a corridor that moves people efficiently while also making it safer and more comfortable to walk, bike, cross the street and spend time in Montrose.”
One more thing
The 76 signatories to the letter include three Super Neighborhoods representing more than 52,000 residents, nine civic associations, four faith organizations, six nonprofits, 52 local businesses and the Menil Collection.
