Houston has a serious problem with car-on-car accidents, car-on-bike accidents, and car-on-pedestrian accidents. The Bagby, Smith, Holman, 59 entrance is a known safety hazard for all modes of transport. Redesigning this area would benefit drivers, bikers, and walkers. This intersection serves as a major artery for pedestrian and bicycle crossings heading to/from the Main St. Metro Rail, and the usage will only increase with time.
Author: Emily Reaux, Stephanie Whitfield
Published: 1:23 PM CST February 5, 2019
Updated: 5:11 PM CST February 5, 2019
There are about 7 crashes each day involving cars and pedestrians in Houston, according to LINK’s research conducted from 2013-2017.
This intersection, similar to the Brazos/Elgin intersection, has many vehicles speeding to beat the traffic lights turning red. Many people do not even realize that a pedestrian and bike crossing exist at that location, and hence are not looking for people. This intersection is used heavily by pedestrians and bicyclists to get to the Main St. Metro Rail just a few blocks away.
Many recurring, serious accidents occur at these intersections. The below picture was taken in December 2018 at the intersection of Bagby & Hawthorne where a car plowed through the pedestrian signal — the exact location where a pedestrian would have been waiting to cross the street. It is most likely the vehicle was trying to turn into Hawthorne to bypass traffic, and miscalculated their speed.
The Brazos St Bridge redesign project would allow pedestrians and bicyclists to safely cross this intersection without the worry of getting plowed over.
Pictures of the current state of this busy intersection and the pedestrian and bicycle pathway can be seen here. The disjoint Bagby/Smith/Hawthorne/ & Holman intersection is a very dangerous crossing hazard and vehicles continuously damage the curbs and sidewalks due to confusion: