713-627-3200
High Growth Area Needs Questionnaire
Project Information
| Agency Name | Midtown Management District |
| Project Title | Webster Street Reconfiguration |
| Facility/Street/Highway | Webster Street |
| Limits | Matthews Street to Chenevert |
| Description | Reconstruction and reconfiguration of street to accommodate multimodal users and enhance safety and access. Include water, wastewater, and stormwater improvements. |
| Timeframe | Short Term (0-5 Years) |
| Estimated Cost | $25,000,000.00 |
Investment Category-Focused Criteria
The proposed project offers benefits to the rapidly growing Midtown area of Houston, particularly areas along Webster Street. According to the H-GAC Eco-Logical Interactive Tool, the household population along Webster Street, from Matthews Street to Hamilton Street, was 8,325 in 2018. This number is projected to increase by 2.3% in 2045, totaling 8,519 residents. Job opportunities are also on the rise, with the H-GAC ACE Tool indicating a remarkable 133% increase, projecting 13,293 jobs in 2045, up from 5,693 in 2018. Per the TxDOT Statewide Planning Map, the traffic on Webster Street is projected to increase 1.7% by 2045. Webster Street offers promising opportunities for new commercial and retail developments, with approximately 0.68 acres of vacant land being prepared for future development projects. The reconstruction of Webster Street will improve traffic efficiency to accommodate the anticipated economic growth. Moreover, Midtown itself is experiencing substantial growth, with a projected 15% increase in population, 38% increase in jobs, and 13% increase in households from 2018 to 2045, according to the H-GAC ACE Tool. Notable recent developments include the construction of a 13-floor, 298-unit apartment complex on Dennis Street in early 2023, and a six-story, 264-unit apartment complex on Elgin Street in early 2020. The revitalization of Bagby Park in spring 2021 and ongoing enhancements to Brazos Street and Caroline Street further underscore the area's dynamic growth and increasing need for improved infrastructure. Additionally, the diverse mix of land uses along Webster Street, coupled with its substantial traffic volume, underscore its position as one of the most vibrant areas in the city. With nearly 10 acres dedicated to residential use and over 25 acres allocated for commercial purposes, Webster Street serves as a central hub where residents live, work, and engage in various activities. Overall, the proposed project is essential to meet the evolving needs of the thriving Midtown area, facilitating continued growth and ensuring efficient transportation infrastructure to support the community's economic vitality.
Yes
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The Webster Street Reconfiguration centers on the complete reconstruction of the roadway, from Matthews Street to Hamilton Street, that includes roadway, stormwater, sidewalk, ramps, and pavement marking improvements. Emphasizing pedestrian safety and accessibility, the project includes upgrading sidewalks to 8 feet wide where sufficient right of way is available (as required by the City of Houston Walkable Places Pilot Program), alongside improvement to curb and gutter and inlets for effective stormwater management. ADA ramps will be replaced to ensure accessibility compliance, and the installation of pavement markings and high-visibility crosswalks will create a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
Yes
The proposed project not only provides access to new planned land use developments but also enhances multimodal facilities, encouraging walking and biking as viable transportation options. This approach aligns with efforts to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on the road and improve overall traffic flow. High Growth: Midtown itself is experiencing substantial growth, with a projected 15% increase in population, 38% increase in jobs, and 13% increase in households from 2018 to 2045, according to the H-GAC ACE Tool. Notable recent developments include the construction of a 13-floor, 298-unit apartment complex on Dennis Street in early 2023, and a six-story, 264-unit apartment complex on Elgin Street in early 2020. Moreover, approximately 0.68 acres of vacant land on Webster Street are being prepared for future development projects. These developments underscore the potential for increased pedestrian and cyclist activity in the area. Furthermore, the revitalization of Bagby Park, ongoing enhancements to Brazos Street and Caroline Street, and the reconstruction of Webster Street all reflect the vibrancy of the Midtown region and its experiencing high growth. Infrastructure Enhancement: The project, which reconstructs the 3-lane road and widens sidewalks, will improve traffic efficiency and enhance pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. This improvement will enhance roadway connections and create safer and more accessible pathways for non-motorized transportation, further promoting walking and biking as alternatives to driving. Reduced VMT and Improved Level of Service: By encouraging walking and biking through improved infrastructure and connectivity, the project aims to reduce VMT on the road. In summary, the proposed project not only provides access to new developments but also prioritizes the enhancement of multimodal facilities, promoting walking and biking as sustainable transportation options.
Yes
Yes, the project aims to alleviate anticipated congestion in the Midtown area. The proposed reconstruction of Webster Street, including widening sidewalks and reconstructing the roadway pavement, will improve traffic efficiency and accommodate the anticipated economic growth and increased pedestrian and cyclist activity. Furthermore, by promoting walking and biking as viable transportation options, the project reduces vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on the road, further alleviating congestion and improving traffic flow.
A
Yes
Webster Street serves as a vital connection between various destinations in the Midtown area and beyond, including US-69, I-45, downtown Houston, and the Montrose area. With its strategic location and connectivity, Webster Street offers an east-west alternative route for commuters and travelers, helping to alleviate congestion on primary corridors such as I-59, Pierce Elevated (I-45), McGowen Street, and Elgin Street. By providing an alternative route and enhancing connectivity, the proposed project contributes to improving overall transportation accessibility and mobility in the Midtown area.
No
Yes
Model.HighGrowthAreaNeedsQuestionnaire.InvestmentCategory5ai
Other Investment Category Focused Criteria
No
The proposed project on Webster Street would enhance regional goods movement, particularly within the Midtown area of Houston. As an east-west Major Collector per the City of Houston's MTFP Plan, Webster Street serves as a crucial link connecting Midtown to major highways such as US-69, I-45, downtown Houston, and the Montrose area. This designation underscores its importance as a thoroughfare for commercial activities and freight movement within the region. Webster Street is vital for local, regional routes for truck traffic as well, facilitating the movement of goods and services throughout the area. Nearly half of the corridor experiences a notably higher truck percentage compared to the citywide average, indicating its significance for freight transportation. The corridor's strategic location and connectivity to major highways make it a preferred route for trucking operations, further emphasizing its role in regional goods movement. However, the current state of Webster Street presents challenges to efficient goods movement, including deteriorating roadway conditions and safety concerns. The roadway suffers from poor pavement quality, multiple potholes, and cracked surfaces, hindering smooth and reliable truck operations. Moreover, safety concerns such as damaged ADA ramps, unmarked crosswalks, and poor sidewalk conditions pose risks to pedestrians and bicyclists, potentially disrupting freight movement along the corridor. The proposed project aims to address these challenges and improve regional goods movement by enhancing roadway infrastructure, improving travel time reliability and safety conditions along Webster Street. Reconstruction of the roadway pavement with concrete will extend roadway service life, ensuring smoother travel for trucks and other vehicles. Additionally, improvements to sidewalks, ADA ramps, and crosswalks will enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists, reducing the risk of crashes and disruptions to freight movement, therefore increase roadway operability and travel time reliability. Furthermore, by providing a safer and more reliable route for trucks and other vehicles, the project contributes to the overall safety and effectiveness of the regional transportation network. It supports the movement of goods and services within the region, benefiting local businesses and communities reliant on efficient freight transportation. Moreover, Webster Street serves as an important first/last mile connection to various residential, commercial land uses in the Midtown area. The project's improvements will enhance accessibility and connectivity for businesses and residents, facilitating smoother goods movement to and from these areas. The corridor's connection to I-59 and its parallel alignment with I-45 further enhance its significance as an alternative route for freight transportation. By providing east-west connectivity and offering an alternative to major highways, Webster Street plays a vital role in relieving congestion and providing efficient truck routes in the region. Overall, the proposed project on Webster Street addresses key challenges in regional goods movement by improving roadway infrastructure, enhancing safety conditions, and ensuring reliable truck routes.
Webster Street, identified as a minor arterial by TxDOT, is currently facing significant challenges that directly impact roadway operability and safety. The section between Matthews Street and Hamilton Street is a one-way street (eastbound) featuring three to four travel lanes with a typical lane width of approximately 10 feet. All travel lanes, curbs and gutters, and sidewalks are in a state of disrepair. According to assessments from the Houston Public Works (through the Pavement Conditions Index report), 11 out of the 19 blocks on Webster Street are in Poor to Very Poor condition, with only four blocks classified as Satisfactory and four as Fair. The overall roadway condition is Poor, indicating a pressing need for reconstruction. Potholes, failed joints and cracks, shattered slabs, rutting, and other defects that are often seen along the roadway are risks to safety and operability. Field observations reveal that the existing defects, particularly the multiple potholes and cracks, lead vehicles to swerve into adjacent lanes to avoid potential damage to tires and vehicle suspensions. This behavior not only increases the risk of crashes but also disrupts the overall reliability and daily traffic operations on Webster Street. To address these issues, the proposed project involves reconstruction of the roadway that aims to reconstruct the roadway from asphalt to concrete, therefore enhancing pavement conditions and increase skid resistance. This is expected to substantially improve traffic operations on Webster Street, creating a safer and more reliable transportation environment for the community.
The Webster Street Reconfiguration Project , spanning from Matthews Street to Hamilton Street, will have a substantial improvement to the walking and biking conditions in the area. The project will construct a new shared use path facility. To align with the City of Houston’s Walkable Places Plan, sidewalks are proposed to be widened to an 8 foot- wide shared use path along the entire corridor. This expanded shared use path will provide a more comfortable pathway for pedestrians and cyclists and improve walking and biking conditions along the corridor. Furthermore, the project prioritizes accessibility and safety. It proposes improvements to ADA ramps, pavement markings, and crosswalks. These enhancements ensure that the infrastructure meets ADA compliance standards and provides enhanced visibility for pedestrians and bicyclists.
There are four Houston METRO transit routes that serve Webster Street along the project corridor. Webster Street is a multimodal corridor that is used by vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and served by four METRO Bus Routes that include Routes 11, 32, 54, 82. These routes facilitate access to medical centers, schools, parks, shopping centers and more. The following is a summary of the major destinations accessible through these bus routes. Bus Route 11 – Almeda/Lyons crosses Webster Street at La Branch Street and Crawford Street. It has one stop at Webster Street and La Branch Street intersection, and one bus stop near the intersection of Webster Street and Crawford Street. Route 11 runs every 30 minutes from Hiram Clarke Transit Center to Fifth Ward/ Denver Harbor Transit Center. It connects to many destinations including Baldwin Park, Houston Food Bank, Tuttle Neighborhood Library, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, St. Joseph Medical Center, HCC - Central Campus, Bayou City Event Center, etc. Route 32 – Renwick/San Felipe runs on Webster Street and has 4 bus stops on Webster Street within the project limits. Route 32 runs every 30 minutes from Downtown Transit Center to Caversham & Chimney Rock area. It connects to many destinations such as Bagby Park, Carnegie Vanguard High School, Wharton Dual Language Academy, H-E-B (Tanglewood Court), River Oaks Shopping Center, etc. Route 54 – Scott crosses Webster on Fannin Street and San Jacinto Street, it has one bus stop at the intersection of San Jacinto Street and Webster Street intersection. Route 54 is a high frequency route that runs every 15 minutes from Downtown Transit Center to Hiram Clarke Transit Center. Route 54 connects to many destinations such as Cloverland Park, Yellowstone Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center, Cullen Middle School, TDECU Stadium, etc. Lastly, Route 82 – Westheimer crosses Webster Street at Milam Street and Travis Street. It has one bus stop at the Webster Street and Milam Street intersection, and one bus stop near the Webster Street and Gray Street intersection. Route 82 is also a high frequency route that runs every 8 minutes on weekdays and every 12 minutes on the weekends from Downtown to West Oaks Mall located at Highway 6 and Westheimer Road. Route 82 connects to destinations such as Jungman Neighborhood Library, Market Square Park, Downtown Transit Center, Lamar High School, and Lanier Middle School. Additionally, pedestrians can utilize Webster Street to access the Main Street LRT (Red Line) via the Downtown Transit Terminal Station, just north of Webster Street, or at the McGowen Street Station, just south of Webster Street. The Red Line is the most utilized line of METRO’s LRT network, with nearly 40,000 riders every day.
Webster Street, identified as part of the city's High Injury Network, currently faces significant safety concerns due to deteriorating infrastructure, including damaged ADA ramps, unmarked crosswalks, and poor sidewalk conditions. Analysis of crash data from 2019 to 2022 reveals alarming statistics, with a total of 373 crashes recorded during this period. While pedestrian and bicycle crashes represent a small portion of these crashes (2%), they account for a disproportionately high percentage of severe injuries (13%), highlighting the urgent need for safety improvements. By implementing safety enhancements such as roadway reconstruction, widened sidewalks, new crosswalks, and improved signage, the project aims to reduce both the frequency and severity of crashes. This, in turn, would alleviate congestion and minimize roadway closures caused by crashes, improving overall traffic flow and reliability along Webster Street. Furthermore, the project would enhance travel time reliability. Webster Street connects Midtown to major highways such as US-69, I-45, and downtown Houston. Nearly half of the corridor experiences a significantly higher truck percentage compared to the citywide average, exacerbated by deteriorating roadway conditions. These conditions, marked by potholes, cracks, and lane deviations, pose a safety risk and contribute to unreliable travel times. Furthermore, truck collisions present a substantial threat to roadway infrastructure, including pavement, curbs, signs, and traffic signals. By improving roadway condition through the proposed project, the operability of the transportation network on Webster Street will be enhanced, ensuring better roadway condition, smoother traffic flow, reduced disruptions, and improved travel time reliability for all road users. Moreover, Webster Street serves as an alternative route for major arterials such as I-59 and the Pierce Street elevated. With significant truck traffic and deteriorating roadway conditions, ensuring the functionality of Webster Street is essential for maintaining efficient traffic flow and providing alternative routes in the event of congestion or crashes on highways or downtown Houston. By addressing safety concerns and improving roadway infrastructure, the proposed project contributes to the overall safety and effectiveness of the transportation network, offering a viable alternative route for both local and through traffic.
The project spans 19 blocks along Webster Street, from Matthews Street to Hamilton Street. According to the 2020 City of Houston's Pavement Condition Index (PCI), a significant portion, 60%, of the project corridor is classified as "Poor" to "Very Poor." On-site assessments have identified numerous potholes, cracks, and instances of vehicles swerving to avoid deteriorating pavement conditions. Additionally, existing sidewalks and ADA ramps are in fair to poor condition. To address these issues and improve the overall state of repair, the proposed project involves reconstructing the roadway pavement with concrete, which will extend the service life of the roadway. Additionally, the project include the replacement of sidewalks and ADA ramps, with a focus on widening sidewalks to an 8-foot-wide shared-use path. This approach will extend the service life of pedestrian and bike infrastructure and improve accessibility and safety for all roadway users along this vital corridor.
Planning Factors Criteria
0.00
109.52
From 2018 to 2022, there were a total of 496 crashes that occurred on Webster St from Matthews St to Hamilton St, resulting in eight severe crashes. Two of the severe crashes involved multimodal users. One was a pedestrian crash and the other involved a bicyclist. Both crashes occurred due to the drivers running stop signs or traffic signals. To address the safety concerns of this roadway, the following set of improvements has been proposed: • Reconstruct roadway with new concrete pavement • Upgrade existing sidewalk to 8’ wide shared use path on both sides of the corridor with 4’ buffer • Install new ADA ramps, crosswalks, pavement markings as needed along the entire corridor • Drainage, waterline, and sanitary sewer replacements and adjustments as required • Relocate utilities as needed The proposed improvements correspond to various work codes, each with its own associated crash reduction rate: •Work Code 101, 303 Install Warning/Guide Signs, Resurfacing with 44% crash reduction rate •Work Code 303, 401 Resurfacing, Install Pavement Markings with 50% crash reduction rate
Resiliency
Medium
Model.HighGrowthAreaNeedsQuestionnaire.Resiliency2
The proposed project aims to reduce vulnerability to flooding by making improvements to the existing drainage infrastructure. These enhancements include upgrading 18-inch drainage pipes to 24-inch pipes for increased capacity and replacing BB inlets with Type C inlets that offer expandability to handle future needs. These measures collectively enhance the system's ability to manage heavy rainfall and flood events, reducing the risk of flooding and its impact on the roadway and surrounding areas.
Access/Connectivity
3,537
8,691
Yes
Yes
No
Environmental Justice
3,537
8,691
2,393
664
134
198
16.3
The proposed project aims to enhance safety along the corridor, particularly for vulnerable users. As part of the city's High Injury Network, Webster Street faces significant safety concerns due to inadequate infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists such as damaged ADA ramps, unmarked crosswalks, poor sidewalk conditions. To address these challenges, the project entails a comprehensive reconstruction of the roadway, accompanied by upgrading all sidewalks to an 8 ft wide sidewalk, providing a safer environment for all vulnerable roadway users. A comprehensive analysis of crash data spanning from 2019 to 2022 provides valuable insights into the severity of the safety situation along the corridor. During this period, a total of 373 crashes occurred, involving four pedestrian crashes and four bicycle crashes. Among these crashes, one bike crash involved serious injuries. Among the 331 vehicle crashes, four led to severe injuries, accounting for 1.2% of all vehicle crashes. However, 13% of pedestrian and bike crashes resulted in severe injuries, highlighting the vulnerability of pedestrians and bicyclists. The top three contributing factors to the crashes along the project limits are drivers disregarding stop and go signals or stop signs (40%), followed by turned improperly (7.5%), and failing to control speed (7.3%). The project aims to mitigate these risks by implementing improvements such as roadway total reconstruction, upgrading sidewalk to 8’ wide shared use path, new crosswalks, repair of ADA ramps, and installing new pavement markings. By implementing these safety enhancements and targeting the identified contributing factors, the project aims to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes along the corridor. The overarching goal is to create a safer corridor for all users. The project will also improve the quality of life for vulnerable population by improving access to transit stops. Webster Street serves as a connection to multiple METRO bus routes, including Routes 11 (Almeda / Lyons), 32 (Renwick / San Felipe), 54 (Scott), 82 (Westheimer). These routes facilitate access to medical centers, schools, parks, shopping centers and more.
This project has no adverse effects to vulnerable populations. The proposed improvements will create a multimodal corridor that will have positive environmental impacts by reducing automobile usage. This reduction in vehicle usage will lead to fewer vehicle miles traveled and will result in a decrease in emissions and pollution. Therefore, the project will contribute to environmental sustainability, and will benefit vulnerable populations who are often disproportionately affected by pollution and other environmental issues. The project will improve quality of life through creating a safer connection for all users and enhancing the economic vitality of the area. No right of way is required for the project. The list of adverse effects from the detailed criteria and comments are listed below: - Body impairment, infirmity, illness, or death: This project will improve safety for all users. - Air, noise, or water pollution; soil contamination: This project will reduce air and noise pollution; geotechnical and environmental analysis will be performed during the design phase of the project - Disruption or diminution of manmade or natural resources: This project will not affect natural resources - Destruction or diminution of aesthetic values: This project will increase aesthetic values through landscaping - Impact upon the cohesion or economic vitality of a community: This project will increase economic vitality and cohesion of the community through the sidewalk widening and roadway pavement improvements - Impact to public or private facilities and services: This project will not have negative impact on facilities or services - Adverse impacts on employment: This project will create short-term jobs through construction. The improvements will provide better access to existing and upcoming businesses and retail along the corridor, which will encourage economic growth. - Displacement of persons, businesses, farms, or non-profit organizations: No right of way is required and there will be no displacement. - Increased traffic congestion, exclusion or separation: Proposed improvements will not worsen congestion - Detail or, reduction in, significant delay in receipt of benefits of transportation program: This project is in alignment with local, regional, state and federal goals.
Impacts on Natural and Cultural Resources
The project is not within ¼ mile of the 100-year flood plain. There are no wetlands within ¼ mile of the proposed project. There are multiple designated historic resources within ¼ mile of the project; there is one National Register and City of Houston landmark adjacent to the alignment: the Benjamin Apartments at 1218 Webster Street. Coordination and concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Office will be required. The TxDOT Potential Archeology Liability Map designates the entire project area as “No Survey Recommended” for archeological resources.
Over a 20-year planning horizon from 2026-2045, the project will reduce 1.00 metric tons of NOx and 1.25 metric tons VOC.
Innovation
No
No