A Houston neighborhood is dealing with an unexpected side effect from a bridge detour. The city is taking public comment for a traffic safety plan.
HOUSTON — Residents of Houston’s Woodland Heights neighborhood are calling for safety improvements after detours around the frequently struck Houston Avenue bridge have sent a steady stream of semi-trucks through their narrow residential streets.
Entering Woodland Heights on Watson Street, you may see a couple Girl Scouts directing traffic to the sweet treats they sell each year. But they are outmatched by the semi traffic that ends up around here – due to I-10 construction detours.
The Houston Avenue bridge over I-10 has been hit repeatedly by trucks that exceed its clearance height, a recurring problem that has prompted warnings for truck drivers to detour off the freeway. However, the detour route now funnels commercial traffic through residential areas, creating safety concerns for a neighborhood filled with families, pedestrians and narrow streets not designed for large vehicles.
“We wish there would be less of those big vehicles and semis driving through,” said Eric Heriberto who was supporting his daughter and her friend selling cookies.
Heriberto, a driver who frequents the area, said the increased truck traffic poses risks to residents.
“A lot of people run through here, walk their dogs. There’s young couples that have babies that walk through here with their strollers.”
Heriberto added that the low tree canopies along the narrow streets could be clipped by passing trucks, creating additional hazards.
“Could also be dangerous for houses because some of those trees can fall on top of the houses,” he said.
The timing is particularly challenging as the neighborhood already faces traffic safety issues. Residents recently received notices from the City of Houston requesting public input as the city develops plans to install speed cushions to improve safety. Many say the added semi-truck traffic only compounds existing concerns.
Barbara Waymire, who has lived just off Watson Street for five years, said traffic has increased significantly and the area no longer feels like a residential neighborhood. She received a public notice for comments about the traffic pattern from the City of Houston.
“I hope they do some kind of traffic control because it’s a very fairly short street but people really get going fast and there’s kids and dogs,” Waymire said.
She noted that “no through traffic” signs make it clear the streets weren’t built to accommodate semi-trucks traveling at high speeds.
While the detour traffic has proven good for local Girl Scout cookie sales, with scouts directing customers to their annual fundraising efforts, residents acknowledge that young volunteers don’t have the ability to redirect commercial truck traffic.
Heriberto expressed hope that TxDOT or the City of Houston would implement additional safety measures.
“We wish there would be less of those big vehicles and semis driving through,” he said.
So far, TxDOT has not responded to the neighborhood’s concerns.