This article is over 4 years old

Transportation

Project In Westchase District Helps Drivers Exit Parking Lots Faster

There are a lot of projects around Houston right now designed to relieve traffic congestion. But some smaller efforts off the busy freeways can also make an impact.

Share

  • Traffic moves through one of the new turn lanes on Wilcrest  (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media )
    Traffic moves through one of the new turn lanes on Wilcrest (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media )
  • Traffic moves through the intersection at Wilcrest and Westheimer.  (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/HoustonPublicMedia)
    Traffic moves through the intersection at Wilcrest and Westheimer. (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/HoustonPublicMedia)
  • One of the new median openings on Wilcrest near Westheimer (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media )
    One of the new median openings on Wilcrest near Westheimer (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media )
  • A truck heads into a parking lot through one of the new median openings on Wilcrest (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media )
    A truck heads into a parking lot through one of the new median openings on Wilcrest (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media )
  • The Westchase project improved several median openings on Wilcrest  (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media )
    The Westchase project improved several median openings on Wilcrest (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media )
  • The Wilcrest median project also included new landscaping  (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/HoustonPublicMedia)
    The Wilcrest median project also included new landscaping (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/HoustonPublicMedia)
  • Traffic on Wilcrest stopped at the signal light at Westheimer (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media )
    Traffic on Wilcrest stopped at the signal light at Westheimer (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media )

Listen

To embed this piece of audio in your site, please use this code:

<iframe src="https://embed.hpm.io/316425/316417" style="height: 115px; width: 100%;"></iframe>
X

Westchase District is about a 30 minute drive west of downtown Houston. It has become an active business center in recent years and that brings a lot of traffic to intersections like Westheimer and Wilcrest, streets that were originally built for a smaller population.

Irma Sanchez, Westchase’s vice president of Projects, says one big problem they had was that the median openings on Wilcrest didn't line up with the driveways of local businesses.

"We were able to identify where those conflict points took place and we were able to coordinate with the property owners to better align the median openings," explained Sanchez.

To fix the situation, the district spent about $1 million to create new median openings and turn lanes along several blocks of Wilcrest.

Sanchez says simply putting things in a straight line has helped a lot. "We've received some pretty good feedback from not only some of those office employees who brought this issue to our attention, but people getting out of these retail destinations. They're able to get out to the roadway in a more efficient manner."

To further enhance mobility in Westchase District, Sanchez says they are also working to develop their off-road trail network, to give people other options for travel.

Today in Houston Newsletter Signup
We're in the process of transitioning services for our Today in Houston newsletter. If you'd like to sign up now, fill out the form below and we will add you as soon as we finish the transition. **Please note** If you are already signed up for the newsletter, you do not need to sign up again. Your subscription will be migrated over.
Gail Delaughter

Gail Delaughter

News Anchor

From early-morning interviews with commuters to walks through muddy construction sites, Gail covers all aspects of getting around Houston. That includes walking, driving, cycling, taking the bus, and occasionally flying. Before she became transportation reporter in 2011, Gail hosted weekend programs for Houston Public Media. She's also covered courts in...

More Information