The improvements you see on the ground today are the result of two separate initiatives:
- Safety Improvement (Project Cost $600,000)
- Mayor’s Rehabilitation Program (Project Cost ~$330,000*)
The Safety Improvement included the reconfiguration of 11th St to remove one travel lane in each direction (with a center lane in roughly one half of the project) and with the addition of bike lanes.
In August 2022, the city announced 11th St had been reprioritized on the list of the Mayor’s Street Rehabilitation Program. Originally, 11th Street was on the rehabilitation list programmed for 2025, but to minimize disruption, 11th St. was repaved along two eligible sections (4,307 ft = 0.83 mi):
- Dorothy to Yale (3159 ft)
- Studewood to Michaux (1148 ft)
- Yale to Michaux will not be repaved because it had recently been repaved but will still be part of the safety improvements.
*According to a Rehabilitaiton package, the cost per mile for major thoroughfares is $400,000, making the segment roughly $330,000 for the two sections that were repaved.
When possible and within reason the city also rebuilt sidewalks and built out ADA infrastructure. Additionally, the city promised that if any curbside blue tiles are damaged, they will also replace them.
Timeline
Feb 22, 2022 – Buchanan’s Meeting
March 8, 2022 – Houston Chronicle Editorial Board advocates for 11th Street redesign
May 2022 – Mayor issues 30-day pause on project to re-evaluate based on community concerns
May 3, 2022 – KHOU 11 publishes “Heights Neighbors oppose city’s plan for bike lanes along 11th St”
May 25, 2022 – Mayor Turner visits 11th St
June 14, 2022 – Mayor Turner announces decision to move 11th St redesign forward
August 17, 2022 – Mayor Turner announces 11th St will be bumped on the list and will get asphalt mill and overlay (repavement) as part of the Mayor’s Rehabilitation program
Oct 2022 – Street Rehabilitation and Safety Improvement work begins
Dec 2022 – Bike lanes are ready to ride but still some sidewalk and striping work remains
Jan 2023 – KHOU 11 publishes “Heights 11th Street project getting mixed reviews among neighbors and drivers”
Apr 2023 – Safety Improvement work officially wraps up
References
