Houston, TX
Augmenting intersection enhancements with colorful designs
The Project
The intersection of Highstar and Westward Road along Hillcroft Street serves as a gateway to the Gulfton community. With a high volume of traffic coming from multiple directions, the space is notoriously challenging for pedestrians and bikers to navigate. In recent years, the intersection was redesigned with capital improvements to improve overall roadway safety, define a clear four-way pedestrian intersection, and reduce crossing distances. Despite these enhancements, reports showed that residents still faced high corridor crash rates, high vehicular speeds, and a dangerous lack of safe and visible crossings. The Gulfton Safe Streets project was meant to function as a visual intervention – using vibrant colors and art to increase visibility of pedestrian spaces, bring vitality to the public realm, and allow the intersection to be a model of curated community expression. Data collected from the community’s Visioning Report showed that asphalt art within the gateway was the preferred method to strengthen infrastructure and improve crossing experiences, leading to the idea of a “living project.” The asphalt art will be regenerated every two years, allowing the intervention to re-inspire, stay meaningful over time, and serve as an everlasting reflection of this multicultural community.
- The average speed of vehicles in the area dropped significantly, from as high as 30 mph to 18 mph
- Dangerous, high-speed conflicts above 35 mph dropped from 10 to 0 after the redesign of the corridor
“HPW-TDO is excited for the opportunity to bring permanent public art to the community that will enhance neighborhood identity, bring vibrancy to the intersection, and improving the safety of people walking, using a wheelchair, or riding in a stroller to cross the street.”
Veronica O. Davis, Director of Transportation & Drainage Operations, Houston Public Works
Use the slider to see the transformation
Press
Houston-area art organizations to begin ‘Safe Streets’ project at Gulfton intersection (Click 2 Houston, September 22, 2022)
For inspiration and tips for the creation of art on roadways and public places, download the Bloomberg Associates Asphalt Art Guide which features successful plaza and roadway art activations around the world, as well as key steps for developing such projects.
