Changes are coming to West Alabama Street, from Shepherd Drive to Milam Street and the spur onto Highway 527. This stretch is currently three lanes, with a reversible middle lane.

According to Houston Public Works, the center lane is allowed to be used as an additional lane for eastbound traffic during morning peak times, westbound traffic during afternoon peak times and, at all other times, the center lane is available as a center turn lane.

A bulk of this stretch of West Alabama Street is listed on Vision Zero Houston's High Injury Network.

Houston Public Works is expected to start work on this stretch, converting the middle lane to a center turn lane.


Council Member Abbie Kamin released the following statement to Community Impact:

"I worked with our residents and civic groups to find a common-sense and fiscally sound solution for the headaches drivers experience on W. Alabama. We continue to push for a complete overhaul and reconstruction, but residents shouldn’t have to wait years when immediate improvements can be made. I appreciate the Public Works Department working with my office to see this through.”

The project will include removing existing reversible lane signage and adding new signage. It may also entail restriping of lane markings and adding signage. This work is estimated to be completed within the next two to six months.