The first steps of the reconstruction of West Alabama Street are underway, with surveying and designing currently in process.
Board members of the Montrose Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone received an update on the project’s progress during an April 20 meeting, which included a possible construction timeline.
About the project
The project will improve drainage and mobility along West Alabama Street from Shepard Drive to Spur 527. Improvements include:
Full concrete roadway reconstructionNew city-compliant 6-foot sidewalksNew street lightingLarger storm sewersSanitary sewer and water linesUpdated traffic signalsNew traffic light at Hazard StreetA topography survey and subsurface utility engineering—locating and mapping where underground utilities are before the construction begins—are in progress and expected to be completed by the end of April. An updated design will be submitted by the end of September, officials said.
What’s new
Traffic engineer Geoff Carleton with TEI Planning and Design said part of the safety improvements includes redesigning all of the traffic signals along the corridor.
“That corridor had a reversible lane there, which leads to confusion on how those intersections operate,” Carleton said. “So we’ll be able to bring those all up to a safer, better standard, which should also allow us to operate the pedestrian crossings better.”
A new signal at Hazard Street, along with additional pedestrian crossing signals on Mount Vernon and Garrott streets, will also be added.
“We’re really trying to create a good spacing and permeability for people to be able to move north [and] south, across what will be a fairly consistent three lane cross section,” Carleton said.
Looking ahead
Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 and wrap up in late 2028, TIRZ officials said. A public meeting on the project is expected to take place in July, although a specific date is not yet available.
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