Kemah in a traffic pattern jam after surprise from TxDOT City officials in Kemah have a traffic dilemma and are trying to figure which way to turn. Looking for some direction, the city will hold a town hall meeting to discuss changing the 6th and 7th Street traffic patterns. It’s not something Kemah city officials wanted to discuss, but an unknown design feature of the new lanes of state Highway 146 forced the abrupt discussion. Unbeknownst to city officials, TxDOT configured the new lanes of state Highway 146 as if 6th Street was one way into town and 7th Street was one way out of the city. Right now, those streets allow for traffic both ways. It is unclear what convinced TxDOT make such a highway configuration and so far stats road officials have yet explained where they got the idea the roadways would be changed to one ways. A big proponent of such a configuration, though, is former Mayor Carl Joiner, who until December was also the chairman of BAYTRAN, the non-profit liaison organization that serves as the facilitator of highway projects between municipal governments, TxDOT, transportation engineers, and road construction firms After meeting with state transportation officials, it appears the highway configuration won't change, and a left turn (south) from the city is very difficult. So, the City of Kemah scheduled a town hall meeting to provide information and answer questions about any changes in the traffic pattern on the 6th and 7th streets and the Lighthouse District. If 6th and 7th are turned into one-way streets, changes must also be made to Bradford and Kipp Avenues. They, too, may have to be converted to one-way roads to and from the Kemah Boardwalk. That could also mean that the stretch of 6th Street between Bradford and Kipp may have to be set aside for pedestrian-only traffic. The meeting is scheduled for 6 PM at Kemah City Hall, 1401 state Highway 146.

Posted by i45NOW TJ Aulds at 2024-02-27 22:02:18 UTC