Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority
W Alabama Street Reconstruction
Introduction
West Alabama Street is an important mixed-use corridor in the Upper Kirby District that both connects people between West Houston and Midtown and provides essential services. Over time, the pavement surface, storm water drainage, and sidewalks have worn down and now present significant safety concerns for those traversing the corridor. To address these issues and encourage multimodal use, the City of Houston is working with the two redevelopment authorities along W. Alabama, Upper Kirby and Midtown, to rebuild the street with updated utility infrastructure and pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
Project Scope
The proposed project scope includes the following:
- • Replace existing pavement, curb and gutter
• Upgrade storm water infrastructure to meet ATLAS 14 (post‐Harvey) design standards
• Upgrade sanitary sewer and waterline infrastructure
• Provide new sidewalks, bicycle facilities, crosswalks, ADA ramps, pedestrian lighting
• Install landscaping as consistent with Upper Kirby standards
• Relocate existing overhead utilities
Project Limits
The project limits for the West Alabama Improvement Project include a 1.17 mile stretch of West Alabama Street from Buffalo Speedway to Shepherd Drive.
Safety
Analyzing 7 years (2014-2021) of data from TxDOT's Crash Records Information System (CRIS) a total of 384 crashes were reported along the project corridor. 4 cyclist collisions and 3 pedestrian collisions were reported.
Bike Network Connectivity
The City of Houston Bike Plan recommends a proposed Dedicated-On Street facility on Alabama from Wesleyan through Midtown and on to the University of Houston campus. This could create an uninterrupted east-west connection across the City for cyclists.
Public Transportation
Within a half mile walk from the project corridor there is access to stops on both the Blue and Green METRO bus lines as well as future access to a planned METRO BRT.
Identifying challenges and hazards in the pedestrian environment
This virtual tour of the Project Limits highlights some of the key findings of the corridor survey.
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1
W Alabama St @ Buffalo Speedway
This intersection has had patchwork repairs done over time, making for a poor pedestrian realm. Uneven transitions from street surface to sidewalk, broken or faded crosswalk markings, and deteriorated pavement all need attention to improve the experience for all users.
2
W Alabama St between Buffalo Speedway and Audley St
Evidence of standing water suggests poor drainage in this area. Combined with a narrow sidewalk as the only option for pedestrians on this segment, it creates a situation where people come into close contact with vehicular traffic.
3
The Park at River Oaks
There is a general lack of pedestrian connectivity from Buffalo Speedway to Shepherd Dr. Accessibility challenges like this exist at numerous locations along the corridor.
4
W Alabama St @ Audley St
The pedestrian infrastructure is in poor condition. Most intersections along this corridor have aging, non-compliant or deteriorated curb ramps, drainage and servicing sidewalks. All infrastructure will need to be brought up to current standards.
5
W Alabama St @ Eastside St
The lack of pedestrian infrastructure on one side of this corridor section creates the need for pedestrians to cross where through traffic does not stop.
6
W Alabama St @ Bammel Ln
This side street crossing is typical for the corridor. The existing curb ramps are in a state of disrepair, many are non-compliant with current ADA requirements, and crosswalk markings are faded or missing.
7
W Alabama St @ Ferndale St
This primary street crossing can be improved. The existing curb ramps guide pedestrians across W. Alabama without supporting traffic control devices, such as warning signs or signals, crosswalk markings, or speed control features.
8
W Alabama @ Kirby Dr
This is a good example of the desired intersection features. This intersection work was completed as part of a prior Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority infrastructure improvement project.
9
W Alabama @ Argonne St
Poor transitions from the sidewalk to street crossings. There are no crosswalk markings and the stormwater drains are too close to the ramps, causing ponding issues.
10
W Alabama St between Revere St and Greenbriar Dr
Existing pedestrian infrastructure is in poor condition or non-existent.
11
W Alabama St East of Greenbriar
Sidewalks come into conflict with the street frontage parking, creating access management and pedestrian facility maintenance challenges.
12
W Alabama St between Greenbriar Dr and Shepherd Dr
Stormwater runoff ponding more than 24 hours after rain shows that drainage improvements are needed.
13
W Alabama St @ Shepherd Dr
Wide intersection with major activity centers nearby and heavy traffic flows present numerous challenges for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.
14
Utilities in Right of Way
Power line poles, way finding and regulatory signage, utility boxes and manholes can be found in the public right of way along the entirety of the project corridor.
