Multimodal Improvements Coming to Houston

Writing for Houston Public Media, Adam Zuvanich outlines the city of Houston’s efforts to build better bike and pedestrian infrastructure and improve its public transit. The city has built 400 miles of bike lanes since passing its bike plan in 2017, and is expanding and improving its bus services and facilities. Zuvanich lists major projects in the works, including safety improvements on North Main Street and new bike lanes in Third Ward, among others.

While the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) continues to widen freeways in the region, there are many ongoing projects involving the city, Harris County, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) and Houston Parks Board that are expanding transportation options for residents in the interests of access and equity, safety, economic growth and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Improvements to Metro stations will include new and expanded crosswalks, accessibility ramps, and bus shelters. “As of last year, METRO also had improved about 2,500 of its 9,000 bus stops through its universal accessibility program, to make its services more accessible for Houstonians with disabilities.”

Gabe Cazares, executive director of LINK Houston, says he knows the changes won’t happen overnight. “That's why organizations like ours exist, to continue pushing every level of government to ensure they are protecting the interests of all people, not just vehicle owners.”