Commerce Street

Hello, is there an update on when this project will start?

When is this project starting? Commerce Street was scheduled to have the construction begin this past summer. I noticed that Palmer Street among other near by corridors that aren't as dangerous or busy are getting redone. What priorities made these other roads more important than Commerce Street?

Thank you for taking on this project! This will be a great improvement to the area. I especially appreciate that the bike lanes will be protected and not just striped.

A couple comments:

1. How does this project address urban heat island effects? It seems there is opportunity given the ROW sections for some canopy cover. For example, on the 50' ROW section, parking on one side of the street can be swapped for a 7' planting strip, or really a 9' planting strip since the planting strip itself would be the bike protection. For the 60' alternate, a 6' planting strip can be achieved on both sides by reducing bike lane and drive lane by 1' (still a comfortable drive width and probably better given the amount of residential/parking/bike activity in the area) and using the 4' bike buffer for the planting strip.

2. Safety. What sort of striping and signage has been considered along street/intersections. Streets perpendicular to Commerce should have signage to indicate that they may encounter cyclists as they approach Commerce. If the 60' ROW alternative is chosen, I would love to see the drive lanes at 10' width similar to the 50' section. The speed reduction it will encourage will just make this area a more pleasant place to be in.

3. I know that its not a part of this plan but would LOVE to see a connection to the Harrisburg Hike/Bike Trail in the future. I bike the trail and Commerce St nearly daily and it would be a game changer for me and many people I see on the trail daily.

Great to see more bicycle infrastructure in Houston. I would like to second what many others have pointed out that the more of a network we have for cycling infrastructure the more use it will get therefore I hope the city updates plans to connect this bicycle infrastructure to the rest of the network so people on bikes can more easily navigate the city and we can create viable alternatives to driving.

While I’m excited about the changes coming to Commerce, it would make more sense to have this connect to the Harrisburg H&B trail and actually create some cohesiveness in the bike network even if it’s just a temporary solution.

Thank you to Council Member Cisneros and all others involved in bringing this improvement, although an interim solution, to fruition. As an advocate for the Second Ward community, I understand there are many residents here who cannot afford a car or truck to commute to destinations such as their jobs and their homes, and the Second Ward is in desperate need of protected infrastructure for those on foot and on a bike. Including bikeways and shared used paths into our transportation infrastructure makes roadways safer for ALL road users, including drivers.

Many of my neighbors and I look forward to seeing a more permanent solution along Commerce, which connects the Harrisburg Hike & Bike Trail with the Austin Street Bike Lane and Jose Campos Torres Plaza (Mr. Campos Torres was a native of Second Ward). Please also consider implementing protected infrastructure along Navigation Blvd., Milby Street, and other roadways that can serve as connectors to the existing bike network.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

This is a great addition to the community. Commerce Street has needed improvements for many years. I've lived in East Downtown for over a decade and have been waiting for road and safety improvements. As a person who uses a bicycle as a primary form of transportation, I've experienced Commerce St. to be dangerous to ride. I've observed cars speeding on the street, treating Commerce St. more like an expressway than a residential street. I've witness pedestrians having close calls with cars due to inattentive drivers. Reducing lane size, adding street parking, and adding bike lanes will be welcomed.

I am disappointed that the project currently is contained between Velasco and St. Charles St., and does nothing to improve connectivity to existing bike lanes and trails. I understand this is being done as an interim solution. In my opinion, the solution should factor in long term improvements to ensure effective use of resources.

Me and my family among our neighbors are exited about the protection added to those who ride bicycle in this busy road where speeds get high. This will make a ground breaking difference for the whole community who live, commute and visit in the area. Is there a way how the residents and those who would use these bike lanes could engage with the planning process or are the bike lane plans already blueprinted?

Is there a possibility of extending the scope of this rehabilitation project to include Commerce Street to the east, ideally extending all the way to the Harrisburg Hike and Bike Trail trailhead? Each block of rehabilitation makes a difference, so it would be great to incorporate sidewalk repair, signage, repaving, restriping, and wayfinding as far east as possible. Additionally, could you explore the option of extending the project westward to connect with the Chartres bikeway and all the way to the Austin St Bikeway? This would further enhance the connectivity and benefits of the rehabilitation efforts. Thanks for making this important project a reality! Long overdue

We do not need bike lanes! This is our only street into downtown Houston. Also, it needs to be used as an evacuation route foe the residents of the Second Ward. CM did not make best decisions paving streets that are not accesible? Oakland/Fullerton residents should of had the streets done prior to Commerce being done. Its a shame how they always do what they think is best. They seem to please non profits they advocate for. Complete Communities funding taken away. Now again Commerce Street with unnecessary bike lanes. Stupid decisons being made by CM glad her term is up!