11th Street Safety Improvements

Announcements

October 2023 Update

Construction is complete. Thank you for your patience as the City and our partners finished construction on the 11th St improvements. Traffic counts were collected in October and the post-project traffic, speed, and crash analysis will be completed in November.

Project Overview

The 11th Street Safety Improvements project proposes to address traffic safety concerns along a 1.5-mile segment from Shepherd to Michaux in the Heights neighborhood. It also includes a neighborhood bikeway along Michaux, connecting from 11th to Stude Park. The project addresses speeding, traffic crashes, and difficulty crossing for people walking and biking along the corridor. It is aligned with the City's Vision Zero commitment to end traffic deaths and serious injuries and improve street safety for everyone. The project is currently in the design phase.

In addition to being identified in the Houston Bike Plan, the 11th Street proposal aims to improve safety for all road users. This includes a protected bikeway for people biking, pedestrian refuge islands to make it safer to cross 11th street, intersection enhancements to increase visibility of crosswalks and bike lanes, and traffic signal adjustments to safely accommodate all modes of travel.

Questions or comments about the project? Please use the general questions/comments tool below.

Announcements

October 2023 Update

Project Overview

Questions or comments about the project? Please use the general questions/comments tool below.

General Questions/Comments

Questions or comments?

Share Why were project actual costs 4x the original plan basis ($2.4M actual vs $0.6M planned)? A pedestrian initiated crossing signal at 11th and Nicholson St would have been a cheaper AND more effective option to improve safety without directing 11th St traffic onto small neighborhood streets. Hopefully our new mayor works with the community to design a better option for our neighborhood. on Facebook Share Why were project actual costs 4x the original plan basis ($2.4M actual vs $0.6M planned)? A pedestrian initiated crossing signal at 11th and Nicholson St would have been a cheaper AND more effective option to improve safety without directing 11th St traffic onto small neighborhood streets. Hopefully our new mayor works with the community to design a better option for our neighborhood. on Twitter Share Why were project actual costs 4x the original plan basis ($2.4M actual vs $0.6M planned)? A pedestrian initiated crossing signal at 11th and Nicholson St would have been a cheaper AND more effective option to improve safety without directing 11th St traffic onto small neighborhood streets. Hopefully our new mayor works with the community to design a better option for our neighborhood. on Linkedin Email Why were project actual costs 4x the original plan basis ($2.4M actual vs $0.6M planned)? A pedestrian initiated crossing signal at 11th and Nicholson St would have been a cheaper AND more effective option to improve safety without directing 11th St traffic onto small neighborhood streets. Hopefully our new mayor works with the community to design a better option for our neighborhood. link

Why were project actual costs 4x the original plan basis ($2.4M actual vs $0.6M planned)? A pedestrian initiated crossing signal at 11th and Nicholson St would have been a cheaper AND more effective option to improve safety without directing 11th St traffic onto small neighborhood streets. Hopefully our new mayor works with the community to design a better option for our neighborhood.

Millican asked 12 months ago

Thank you for your question and interest in the 11th St Safety Improvement Project. Between 2020 and 2022, costs for all construction-related materials increased significantly causing the cost of the project to rise. The project did not initially include the milling and asphalt overlay of the asphalt portion of 11th St. We updated the designs as they were in progress to include the mill and overlay which alone cost approximately $718k.
Share When will the 11th Street Project Before & After Study be published? The community was told the analysis would start in Sept 2023, and the Mayor said at Public Session in February 2024 it should be released. The project's goal was to reduce vehicle speeds and crashes, we'd like to see the results, please. on Facebook Share When will the 11th Street Project Before & After Study be published? The community was told the analysis would start in Sept 2023, and the Mayor said at Public Session in February 2024 it should be released. The project's goal was to reduce vehicle speeds and crashes, we'd like to see the results, please. on Twitter Share When will the 11th Street Project Before & After Study be published? The community was told the analysis would start in Sept 2023, and the Mayor said at Public Session in February 2024 it should be released. The project's goal was to reduce vehicle speeds and crashes, we'd like to see the results, please. on Linkedin Email When will the 11th Street Project Before & After Study be published? The community was told the analysis would start in Sept 2023, and the Mayor said at Public Session in February 2024 it should be released. The project's goal was to reduce vehicle speeds and crashes, we'd like to see the results, please. link

When will the 11th Street Project Before & After Study be published? The community was told the analysis would start in Sept 2023, and the Mayor said at Public Session in February 2024 it should be released. The project's goal was to reduce vehicle speeds and crashes, we'd like to see the results, please.

DanArch08 asked about 1 year ago

The report has been drafted and is currently under review within the Mayor's Office, the Planning Department, and Houston Public Works. We do not have a timeline for publication at this time.
Share The bike lanes on 11th street have been a welcoming addition to the neighborhood. I frequent businesses along 11th often from my home in East Downtown, both before and after the safety improvements were installed. The lanes provide for a direct and safe route to businesses of interest. I have noticed that vehicular traffic is slower. When off the bike, I feel safe crossing the street. on Facebook Share The bike lanes on 11th street have been a welcoming addition to the neighborhood. I frequent businesses along 11th often from my home in East Downtown, both before and after the safety improvements were installed. The lanes provide for a direct and safe route to businesses of interest. I have noticed that vehicular traffic is slower. When off the bike, I feel safe crossing the street. on Twitter Share The bike lanes on 11th street have been a welcoming addition to the neighborhood. I frequent businesses along 11th often from my home in East Downtown, both before and after the safety improvements were installed. The lanes provide for a direct and safe route to businesses of interest. I have noticed that vehicular traffic is slower. When off the bike, I feel safe crossing the street. on Linkedin Email The bike lanes on 11th street have been a welcoming addition to the neighborhood. I frequent businesses along 11th often from my home in East Downtown, both before and after the safety improvements were installed. The lanes provide for a direct and safe route to businesses of interest. I have noticed that vehicular traffic is slower. When off the bike, I feel safe crossing the street. link

The bike lanes on 11th street have been a welcoming addition to the neighborhood. I frequent businesses along 11th often from my home in East Downtown, both before and after the safety improvements were installed. The lanes provide for a direct and safe route to businesses of interest. I have noticed that vehicular traffic is slower. When off the bike, I feel safe crossing the street.

EaDoMechEngr asked about 1 year ago

Thank you for your engagement and support of this project.
Share I would like to say that the 11th Street redesign is the best thing that has happened. I cross 11th Street on a regular basis and before the project I used to feel like I was going to get hit one day. the cars used to drive so fast that you had to wait a long time before the street cleared and it was safe to cross. Today drivers drive slower and it does not feel like you are in any danger. Also from what I can see the traffic has not changed on the side streets. It would be a shame to return to the old way after having spent all this money to make it safer and more enjoyable. on Facebook Share I would like to say that the 11th Street redesign is the best thing that has happened. I cross 11th Street on a regular basis and before the project I used to feel like I was going to get hit one day. the cars used to drive so fast that you had to wait a long time before the street cleared and it was safe to cross. Today drivers drive slower and it does not feel like you are in any danger. Also from what I can see the traffic has not changed on the side streets. It would be a shame to return to the old way after having spent all this money to make it safer and more enjoyable. on Twitter Share I would like to say that the 11th Street redesign is the best thing that has happened. I cross 11th Street on a regular basis and before the project I used to feel like I was going to get hit one day. the cars used to drive so fast that you had to wait a long time before the street cleared and it was safe to cross. Today drivers drive slower and it does not feel like you are in any danger. Also from what I can see the traffic has not changed on the side streets. It would be a shame to return to the old way after having spent all this money to make it safer and more enjoyable. on Linkedin Email I would like to say that the 11th Street redesign is the best thing that has happened. I cross 11th Street on a regular basis and before the project I used to feel like I was going to get hit one day. the cars used to drive so fast that you had to wait a long time before the street cleared and it was safe to cross. Today drivers drive slower and it does not feel like you are in any danger. Also from what I can see the traffic has not changed on the side streets. It would be a shame to return to the old way after having spent all this money to make it safer and more enjoyable. link

I would like to say that the 11th Street redesign is the best thing that has happened. I cross 11th Street on a regular basis and before the project I used to feel like I was going to get hit one day. the cars used to drive so fast that you had to wait a long time before the street cleared and it was safe to cross. Today drivers drive slower and it does not feel like you are in any danger. Also from what I can see the traffic has not changed on the side streets. It would be a shame to return to the old way after having spent all this money to make it safer and more enjoyable.

Heights Resident asked about 1 year ago

Thank you for your engagement and support of the project.
Share How can we contact the mayor's office to provide feedback on this project? It has been announced that a review is in progress. As a resident of the Heights, I have greatly appreciated being able to cross 11th safely with my child while walking out biking due to the reduced lanes of traffic and car speed. It would be enormously disappointing if this progress is undone. on Facebook Share How can we contact the mayor's office to provide feedback on this project? It has been announced that a review is in progress. As a resident of the Heights, I have greatly appreciated being able to cross 11th safely with my child while walking out biking due to the reduced lanes of traffic and car speed. It would be enormously disappointing if this progress is undone. on Twitter Share How can we contact the mayor's office to provide feedback on this project? It has been announced that a review is in progress. As a resident of the Heights, I have greatly appreciated being able to cross 11th safely with my child while walking out biking due to the reduced lanes of traffic and car speed. It would be enormously disappointing if this progress is undone. on Linkedin Email How can we contact the mayor's office to provide feedback on this project? It has been announced that a review is in progress. As a resident of the Heights, I have greatly appreciated being able to cross 11th safely with my child while walking out biking due to the reduced lanes of traffic and car speed. It would be enormously disappointing if this progress is undone. link

How can we contact the mayor's office to provide feedback on this project? It has been announced that a review is in progress. As a resident of the Heights, I have greatly appreciated being able to cross 11th safely with my child while walking out biking due to the reduced lanes of traffic and car speed. It would be enormously disappointing if this progress is undone.

rmurphy asked about 1 year ago

Thank you for your comment. To contact the Mayor's Office please visit www.houstontx.gov/mayor, email mayor@houstontx.gov, or call 311.
Share What steps have been taken to make sure that overflow traffic (4 lanes down to 2) does not cause issues on neighborhood streets, which are narrower, and have lower speed limits? on Facebook Share What steps have been taken to make sure that overflow traffic (4 lanes down to 2) does not cause issues on neighborhood streets, which are narrower, and have lower speed limits? on Twitter Share What steps have been taken to make sure that overflow traffic (4 lanes down to 2) does not cause issues on neighborhood streets, which are narrower, and have lower speed limits? on Linkedin Email What steps have been taken to make sure that overflow traffic (4 lanes down to 2) does not cause issues on neighborhood streets, which are narrower, and have lower speed limits? link

What steps have been taken to make sure that overflow traffic (4 lanes down to 2) does not cause issues on neighborhood streets, which are narrower, and have lower speed limits?

Bruce Duncan asked about 1 year ago

Thank you for your question. The speed limit on 11th St and all the surrounding local streets is 30mph and one of the goals of the project was to encourage speeds travelled at or below the speed limit through roadway design. Houston Public Works (HPW) is actively reviewing traffic volume, speed, and crash data from before and after the 11th St project was installed on 11th St itself as well as on the surrounding streets. This analysis will help determine if there has been a increase of traffic or speed on the streets nearby, a sign of cut-through traffic. If a significant increase is noted, HPW will determine what traffic speed and traffic volume mitigation measures can be implemented, or what modifications to the existing 11th St improvements are necessary. HPW will continue to monitor this concern following the report publication.
Share The 11th street bike lanes that reduced traffic lanes 50% has been horrible. It has increased traffic and delays. It doesn’t make sense given the very few people I see using it vs the immensely greater number of people affected by reduced traffic lanes. Additionally, there are ALREADY so many bike options parallel and close by to this (I.e bike trail..)…Why did the city waste money on this? on Facebook Share The 11th street bike lanes that reduced traffic lanes 50% has been horrible. It has increased traffic and delays. It doesn’t make sense given the very few people I see using it vs the immensely greater number of people affected by reduced traffic lanes. Additionally, there are ALREADY so many bike options parallel and close by to this (I.e bike trail..)…Why did the city waste money on this? on Twitter Share The 11th street bike lanes that reduced traffic lanes 50% has been horrible. It has increased traffic and delays. It doesn’t make sense given the very few people I see using it vs the immensely greater number of people affected by reduced traffic lanes. Additionally, there are ALREADY so many bike options parallel and close by to this (I.e bike trail..)…Why did the city waste money on this? on Linkedin Email The 11th street bike lanes that reduced traffic lanes 50% has been horrible. It has increased traffic and delays. It doesn’t make sense given the very few people I see using it vs the immensely greater number of people affected by reduced traffic lanes. Additionally, there are ALREADY so many bike options parallel and close by to this (I.e bike trail..)…Why did the city waste money on this? link

The 11th street bike lanes that reduced traffic lanes 50% has been horrible. It has increased traffic and delays. It doesn’t make sense given the very few people I see using it vs the immensely greater number of people affected by reduced traffic lanes. Additionally, there are ALREADY so many bike options parallel and close by to this (I.e bike trail..)…Why did the city waste money on this?

Alexh296 asked over 1 year ago

Thank you for your question. 11th Street had 10% more crashes than similar streets across Texas and vehicles speeding at nearly 40 mph (instead of the signed 30 mph). Based on a Road Safety Audit conducted by the City, TxDOT, Federal Highway Administration, and others, reallocation of one lane in each direction was identified as a way to make 11th Street safer for all road users, which is considered a valuable use of city funds.
Share Are there any plans to conitnue the path from Durham to TC Jester? It seems like a missed opportunity not to do it as it would perfectly connect with the bike trail that goes along TC Jester. on Facebook Share Are there any plans to conitnue the path from Durham to TC Jester? It seems like a missed opportunity not to do it as it would perfectly connect with the bike trail that goes along TC Jester. on Twitter Share Are there any plans to conitnue the path from Durham to TC Jester? It seems like a missed opportunity not to do it as it would perfectly connect with the bike trail that goes along TC Jester. on Linkedin Email Are there any plans to conitnue the path from Durham to TC Jester? It seems like a missed opportunity not to do it as it would perfectly connect with the bike trail that goes along TC Jester. link

Are there any plans to conitnue the path from Durham to TC Jester? It seems like a missed opportunity not to do it as it would perfectly connect with the bike trail that goes along TC Jester.

OscarV asked over 1 year ago

Thanks for reaching out. The Houston Bike Plan includes the segment of 11th Street to TC Jester. With a plan for 1,800 miles total, we're working to provide safe access citywide as fast as we can.
Share Are there plans to clean these bike lanes? Riding a bike on gravel and glass is going to result in flat tires. Most of the bike lanes in Houston are covered with debris, which makes unusable. on Facebook Share Are there plans to clean these bike lanes? Riding a bike on gravel and glass is going to result in flat tires. Most of the bike lanes in Houston are covered with debris, which makes unusable. on Twitter Share Are there plans to clean these bike lanes? Riding a bike on gravel and glass is going to result in flat tires. Most of the bike lanes in Houston are covered with debris, which makes unusable. on Linkedin Email Are there plans to clean these bike lanes? Riding a bike on gravel and glass is going to result in flat tires. Most of the bike lanes in Houston are covered with debris, which makes unusable. link

Are there plans to clean these bike lanes? Riding a bike on gravel and glass is going to result in flat tires. Most of the bike lanes in Houston are covered with debris, which makes unusable.

BT asked over 1 year ago

Thank you for your question.
The City is now cleaning protected bike lanes with the new Space City Sweeper (https://twitter.com/HouPublicWorks/status/1593684390890115075?lang=en). If you see a bike facility requiring additional sweeping, please let us know at https://www.houstontx.gov/311/.
Share As evidenced by the recent damage to the northbound floating bus stop, the signage for these is inadequate. I’d urge you to a) install metal protective crash barriers b) add additional reflective signs, including one with a diagonal left arrow c) consider installing white poles between the ahead and right turn lanes to make it clearer going ahead from the right lane is not an option. on Facebook Share As evidenced by the recent damage to the northbound floating bus stop, the signage for these is inadequate. I’d urge you to a) install metal protective crash barriers b) add additional reflective signs, including one with a diagonal left arrow c) consider installing white poles between the ahead and right turn lanes to make it clearer going ahead from the right lane is not an option. on Twitter Share As evidenced by the recent damage to the northbound floating bus stop, the signage for these is inadequate. I’d urge you to a) install metal protective crash barriers b) add additional reflective signs, including one with a diagonal left arrow c) consider installing white poles between the ahead and right turn lanes to make it clearer going ahead from the right lane is not an option. on Linkedin Email As evidenced by the recent damage to the northbound floating bus stop, the signage for these is inadequate. I’d urge you to a) install metal protective crash barriers b) add additional reflective signs, including one with a diagonal left arrow c) consider installing white poles between the ahead and right turn lanes to make it clearer going ahead from the right lane is not an option. link

As evidenced by the recent damage to the northbound floating bus stop, the signage for these is inadequate. I’d urge you to a) install metal protective crash barriers b) add additional reflective signs, including one with a diagonal left arrow c) consider installing white poles between the ahead and right turn lanes to make it clearer going ahead from the right lane is not an option.

djenks16 asked about 2 years ago

Thank you for your feedback. We are working with METRO to ensure the Floating Bus Stops at 11th and Heights are more visibile and that all directions have advanced indication of the infrastructure. We appreciate your patience as this project is still actively under construction.