HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8480 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8480
March 25, 2003
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 1 of 1
SUBJECT. Houston — Commerce Streets Two-Way Changes -
Downtown Access and Circulation Study
At the November 19, 2002 Pre-Council meeting, staff provided City Council with an over view of the
various recommendations from this comprehensive study. Significant street changes from one-way to
two-way operations are being planned for the Downtown Area.
On Monday, March 31'the Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) will change Houston and
Commerce Streets from 9th Street to Lancaster Avenue from one-way streets to two-way operations.
Work began several months ago with traffic signal work, reconstruction of the northwest corners of the
Convention Center at 9tt' Street and Houston. The contractor on the Convention Center improvements
has coordinated closely with TPW staff. This effort has also included several city groups, including Public
Events, Water, and TPW's Street Services, Traffic Services and Traffic Engineering Divisions.
The public information program for these street changes include:
• City Page articles
• Letters mailed to adjacent property owners
• Flyers distributed to businesses along 9th, Houston and Commerce Streets, DFW, Inc., Central
Library and Convention Center
• Electronic message boards for motorists will be located on Houston Street (south of 9th) and
on Commerce Street (north of 15'h)
Houston and Commerce Streets from 9th Street to Lancaster Avenue and 9'h Street will have various lane
closures in order to accommodate pavement resurfacing and striping of the three streets. Other streets
in the downtown area will be resurfaced this summer and some lanes may be closed during construction.
Other recommendations from the Study items are currently underway include:
1. Lamar Street plans are complete to change the one-way street to two-way operations. Property
owners will be contacted and implementation should begin in late April.
2. Peak hour restrictions were removed and additional parking meters installed on W. 13th Street
between Houston and Throckmorton streets.
3. Taylor Street plans are underway to change the street operations north of Sixth Street. This street
will be part of the Downtown resurfacing program for this summer.
4. Parking ordinances are being prepared to provide consistency for passenger and loading zones;
establish new parking meter time limits and rates; and prohibit meter feeding. These ordinances
should be submitted to City Council in April.
If you need additional i tion please contact Joe Ternus, Assistant Director of Transportation and
Y&ry'W.W at 817- 1- 0 5.
J kson
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS