City Council members unanimously approved a long list of neighborhoods across Houston whose installed traffic control devices will become permanent to help mitigate speeding and cut-through traffic.
The gist
Officials with the Houston Public Works department conducted investigations, developed a traffic-calming plan and presented the plan to residents before bringing the item to City Council for approval, according to the April 29 agenda item.
Based on the results of the traffic study and the consensus of public opinion, dozens of neighborhoods were recommended for the permanent installation of approximately 60 speed cushions citywide, which are small speed humps designed to slow passenger vehicles to 15-20 miles per hour, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials.
The neighborhoods range across nine out of 11 City Council districts, including areas such as Meyerland, Maplewood and Independence Heights.
Something to note
Council member Amy Peck said most of the projects were mostly funded through the council district service funds. However, she said, prices have started to triple under the current contract, pausing all new neighborhoods that are currently going through the process.
“We have many neighborhoods waiting on speed cushions, but it’s just not fiscally responsible to pay triple the cost that it should cost right now,” she said. “Anything we can do to get new contractors on this job would be appreciated. This is a big public safety issue, and many neighborhoods want these speed cushions.”
Speed cushions cost approximately $5,000 per location, according to a presentation from the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. The city spent roughly $3.5 million combined on the first round of projects.
