Mayor Turner gives green light to 11th Street safety improvement project
A reconstruction project in the Heights has a lot of residents talking. The 11th Street reconstruction project in the Heights neighborhood is set to turn the street from two lanes in each direction down to one lane in each direction, and a lot of folks stand on both sides of the aisle when it comes to these changes.
The button in your car that can help you save money!
Happy Friday-eve, my friends! I’ve wondered about the benefits for this button for as long as I’ve been driving. If you’re looking for it, you’ll find it, but it’s often the thing you likely look at and aren’t sure what to do with it. Our amazing Digital Special Projects Manager describes this button perfectly: “...The recirculation button is the button on your dash that sports a car outline with a U-shaped arrow inside of it. This button stops air flow from outside your vehicle so your air conditioner recirculates the air inside of the vehicle that’s already cool or on its way to being cool.”
All southbound lanes on Southwest Freeway at Bissonnet reopens hours after fuel truck crash
A fuel truck rollover has shut down all of the lanes on Southwest Freeway going southbound near Bissonnet Thursday morning, TranStar says. Officials said the lanes are expected to reopen at least by Thursday afternoon.
Pilot rideshare program helping southeast Houston save money
Houston is growing and some of those growing pains can be felt at the gas pump and when driving down congested streets. A new program is being tested in Houston to save money on rideshares. In partnership with Uber, the Greater Southeast Management District launched a program during Memorial Day weekend to help solve traffic concerns and keep Houston on the move.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Possible solution to the fraudulent paper tag problem in Texas
We are revealing a possible solution to Texas’ fraudulent paper plate problem. KPRC 2 Investigates first exposed our state’s fraudulent paper tag system and the lax oversight of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles more than a year ago. Now, one local security expert is pitching a possible solution to the state.
TxDOT builds new bypass to ease Cypress Creek Bridge reconstruction woes
The Texas Department of Transportation created a temporary IH-45 North Freeway southbound frontage road bypass between Cypresswood and FM 1960 is now open to drivers. It will provide continuous passage for those on the North Freeway southbound feeder road trying to access FM 1960.
Destination Trail: New 31 mile hike, bike trail system
Can you imagine hiking or biking for 31 uninterrupted trail miles, with no vehicular traffic? Well, Harris County, along with the Harris County Toll Road Authority, is introducing the Destination Trail: a 31-mile proposed hike and bike trail within Harris County featuring countless historic and culturally significant sites and connecting the cities of Houston, South Houston, and Webster.
Get your car roadtrip ready ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
This Memorial Day weekend is expected to be the busiest in two years as 34.9 million people plan to hit the road, with 2.8 million of those drivers right here in Texas. Those numbers are up around 5% compared to last year, according to AAA Texas.
Have a traffic wish-list? Send it to the Houston-Galveston Area Council
The 2045 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Update for the Houston-Galveston area will build on previous planning efforts to set investment priorities for the multimodal transportation system that connects people to places where they live, work, play, and efficiently moves goods from, to, and through the region.
Houston’s biggest road projects: The West Loop/Southwest Freeway Interchange rebuild
In 2019, the West Loop between the Katy Freeway and the Southwest Freeway was named the most congested highway segment in the state of Texas, and now in the country, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The ongoing intricate, mega-sized project to rebuild the West Loop/Southwest Freeway interchange is aimed to help alleviate some of that congestion while also improving safety along this stretch of road.
Houston’s biggest road projects: The Grand Parkway
The Grand Parkway is used by thousands every day. It’s a 184-mile toll road connecting seven counties around Houston. With construction in northeast Houston coming to an end as the new stretch of pavement from New Caney down to Dayton opened on Thursday, May 19, the vision of creating the largest loop in the country is becoming reality.
METRO undergoes ‘makeover’ with universally accessible bus stops
METRO celebrated the completion of 2,500 universally accessible bus stops early in May, marking a huge milestone for transportation equality. METRO is committed to upgrading all of its 9,000 bus stops to be universally accessible -- this means when riders choose to use public transportation, their experience will be safer, more comfortable, and they will have better access to health care, school, and work.
Lanes back open after 2 Chicagoans wounded in shooting on Stevenson Expressway, police say
A 46-year-old woman and 20-year-old man, both from Chicago, were driving on I-55 when their vehicle was struck by gunfire, said state police. Both were taken to a hospital “with injuries ... from gunfire,” according to state police. Their conditions were not given.
chicagotribune.comAsk 2: Whats the status on the construction on Westheimer?
HOUSTON Question: Whats the status on the Westheimer repaving project? Answer: The Westheimer Road repaving project is managed by the Texas Department of Transportation. They are repaving and restoring this road between the West Loop and Dunvale Road. The project is estimated to cost $5,461,949 and should be done by November 13, 2020, according to TXDOT.
What you need to know if you plan on using Uber or Lyft in the future
HOUSTON Since COVID 19, ridership has dropped 80% for companies like UBER or Lyft as customers and drivers dont feel safe amid this pandemic. UBER and Lyft both say though their commitment to safety is not new, their approach to a new rider experience is. Heres what you need to know if you plan on using UBER in the near future:As of May 18, Ubers app looked different. Heres what you need to know if you plan on using Lyft in the near future:Lyft announced a new health safety program with new policies, which launched in early May. An important feature: a new personal health certification, which will require all riders and drivers to wear face masks when using Lyft--much like UBER.
What you need to know before traveling this Memorial Day
HOUSTON For the first time in 20 years, AAA will not issue a Memorial Day travel forecast. This is because the numbers used for this forecast have been affected by COVID-19. The annual forecast estimates the number of people and according to AAA, those numbers are no longer accurate. Across Texas: the average is the same. Information for this story was obtained from a AAA survey document.
TXDOT employees discuss COVID-19 safety precautions
HOUSTON The Texas Department of Transportation is taking steps to maintain employee safety when meeting about closures or project updates. According to Danny Perez with TXDOT, their field crews are using masks while on construction sites and radios to communicate when in close proximity. The proper safety protocol is also in place for when discussing project updates and closures. KPRCs Anavid Reyes also spoke with a TXDOT employee who is doing her part to keep her community safe. Sowing plans to plans on making masks into the fall as kids go back to school.
ASK2: How can I get to a testing center if I dont have a car?
HOUSTON At KPRC 2, were dedicated to keeping Houstonians informed. As part of our new Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: How can I get to a testing center if I dont have a car? Answer: For those who are elderly, disabled or simply dont have the proper means of transportation, you can call the COVID-19 testing center at: 832-493-4220. All you have to do is indicate you are a person with disabilities or you simply do not have proper transportation to get to a testing site and they will take it from there.
May is National Bike Month: Houstonians discuss using their bikes for transportation during COVID-19 pandemic
HOUSTON During the month of May, from coast to coast National Bike Month is celebrated. Even though COVID-19 pushed the City of Houstons Bike to Work Day to September, bike month is still in full effect. KPRCs Anavid Reyes took to the streets to learn more about how Houstonians felt about using their bikes to get from point A to point B. Jennifer Ostlind, with Bike Houston, is a believer. Ostlinds wanted to bike to work for years, but she knows not everyone is big on the idea.
High water being reported on Houston-area roads
Heavy downpours and severe thunderstorms have brought flooding rains to parts of the Houston region. Here is a look at high water reports from across Southeast Texas. Houston TranStar reported high water in the following locations as of 3:20 p.m. Friday:45 NORTH Northbound After N MAIN ST Right Shoulder, Right Lane, Center LaneVerified at 3:48 PM todayIH-45 Southbound At SH 96/CALDER/BRITTANY BAY in Galveston County 3 Frontage Road Lanes Verified at 5:01 PM todayUS-90 ALTERNATE Westbound At FM 3155/Collins Rd in Fort Bend County All Mainlanes Verified at 5:11 PM todayEAST SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY Northbound At SPENCER HWY Exit RampVerified at 2:57 PM today ed at 3:48 PM todayEAST SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY Northbound At SPENCER HWY Exit Ramp Verified at 2:57 PM todayEAST SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY Southbound At SH-225 Exit Ramp Verified at 3:56 PM todaySH-225 Eastbound At RICHEY ST All Mainlanes Verified at 4:33 PM todaySH-225 Westbound At RICHEY ST All Mainlanes Verified at 4:27 PM todayClick here to see the levels of creeks, streams and rivers in Harris County.