Urgent! TxDOT announces two public meetings regarding major road projects near the Texas Medical Center

BikeHouston encourages the members of the cycling community to attend and participate in this discussion at two upcoming public meetings to discuss alternatives for proposed road projects near the Texas Medical Center. The Texas Department of Transportation has announced these meetings to present and discuss proposals regarding the construction of a tolled direct connector from Highway 288 into the Texas Medical Center and improvements along Almeda Rd. A major concern is the possible disruption or removal existing bike routes including recently added improvements near Braes Bayou as well as providing adequate and safe alternatives for cyclists commuting along these routes.

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The first of these two public meetings: SH 288 Direct Connector to Texas Medical Center will be an open house public meeting regarding deseign alternatives for the proposed construction of a reversible, tolled direct connector from State Highway (SH) 288 Direct Connector to the Texas Medical Center in the City of Houston, Harris County. The public meeting will be an open house format. Exhibits illustrating the proposed alternatives will be displayed.

This meeting will be held:
Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013 • 6 p.m – 8 p.m.
Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professionals
3100 Shenandoah
Houston, TX 77021

meeting notice

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The second of these two public meetings: Almeda Road (Old Spanish Trail to MacGregor Way) will be A public meeting regarding proposed improvements along Almeda Road between Old Spanish Trail and South MacGregor Way.

Proposed improvements include the following:

• The addition of one lane in each direction, thereby increasing the capacity of Almeda Road from two lanes to three lanes in each direction between Old Spanish Trail to South MacGregor Way.
• A 16-foot wide raised median between Old Spanish Trail and South MacGregor Way.
• The existing grassy median would be replaced with a raised median, with dedicated left-turn bays at select intersections.
• A 10-foot pedestrian/bicycle path is proposed on the west side of Almeda Road
• A five foot wide sidewalk is proposed on the east side of Almeda Road.
• All inside lanes would be 12 feet wide.
• Approximately 0.13 acre of additional ROW would be required for the proposed project.  No displacements are anticipated to occur.

This meeting will be held:
Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013 • 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Robinson Jr. Community Center
2020 Hermann Drive
Houston, TX 77004

meeting notice

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Contact information:
TxDOT Houston District
Terri Leeson
PO Box 1386
Houston, TX 77251-1386
Phone: (713) 802-5247
email