Houston’s new mayor, John Whitmire, has initiated the removal of pedestrian medians located from Lubbock Street to Washington Avenue along Houston Avenue. The infrastructure project only totaled a sensible $100,000 in the installation of medians along Houston Avenue, but after demolition and work done to repave the street to its original state will put the project over $730,000 once all is said and done. These medians are being removed just 2 months after their completion, after concerns from police stating the medians are making driving difficult.

These medians were constructed with previous mayor’s, Sylvester Turner,  Vision Zero Executive Order in mind. Vision Zero is a city project plan aimed at ending traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030 in Houston. Whitmire, who ran on improving public safety, infrastructure, and delivery of city services is immediately acting against his promises. The plan stresses “Everyone deserves safe, accessible streets and sidewalks.” except according to Mayor John Whitmire’s direct decision, people just don’t deserve a safe, accessible street along Houston Avenue.