Current situation
Gauge Engineering, the Houston-based consulting firm for TIRZ 27, presented a progress report Dec. 9 on three ongoing projects in Montrose, including the heavily discussed Montrose Boulevard Improvement Project.
The report states that the design is being updated in accordance with the changes discussed in November and the final plans are anticipated to be sent to Houston for a review prior to Christmas.
The timeline
The Montrose Boulevard Improvement Project is intended to improve drainage issues along the corridor from I-69 to Allen Parkway while also improving mobility, safety and overall beauty within the neighborhood.
However, Segment 1, which focuses on the section between West Clay Street and Allen Parkway, hit a snag in early 2024 as Houston Mayor John Whitmire requested a review of the initiative and asked for changes to be made before he would sign off on the final construction permits.
In October, a split vote by the TIRZ board members on the design changes further delayed the project. A special session was eventually called Nov. 1 and the board finally approved Whitmire's design changes by a 4-2 vote. Now, the revised plan will be sent to the administration for final approval.
What's changing?
The original design plan called to reduce the width of car lanes and increase sidewalk space for pedestrians and cyclists while also preserving many median trees. The revised plan adheres to Whitmire's call to not reduce existing car lanes and the city's newly created "Houston guiding mobility principles," as follows:
- Maintain general purpose lane width and number
- Provide safe sidewalks and pedestrian crossings
- Ensure reliable service for emergency responders
- Maintaining vehicle lanes at 12 feet wide instead of reducing them to 10 or 11 feet
- Installing a HAWK signal at the West Clay Street and West Dallas Street intersection
- Upholding existing 6-foot sidewalks instead of the suggested 10-foot shared use path
- Adding a new median with Cypress trees along West Dallas Street to Allen Parkway to enhance traffic safety
- Devising 10-foot by 10-foot storm sewers and five acre-feet of detention
Other projects
The report by Gauge Engineering also provided updates on two other key Montrose projects, including the Cherryhurst Sidewalk Improvements and the Montrose Safe Routes to School Connections.
The Montrose Safe Routes to School Connections project includes reconstructing 4.5 miles of sidewalks around Carnegie High School, Wharton Elementary and the Gregory Lincoln Education Center.
As of Dec. 9, the survey and design for the project are ongoing. The engineers are also working with the city on the possibility of converting certain intersections to all-way stops.
Engineers are also working on finalizing the modifications to the Cherryhurst Sidewalk Improvements project based on discussions with the community and field visits.
