City of Houston to start sidewalk repair project next year

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The city of Houston is set to start on a project that many feel is long overdue.

Stepping off the Metro bus on North Braeswood near Stella Link, Tommy Bunn is the kind of Houstonian that really needs bus service.

"I use two canes, I call myself "Tommy Two Canes," that's my nickname," said Bunn.

He also has vision problems in one eye that has caused him to lose balance while walking on some sidewalks. The sidewalk that leads him to the bus stop is in horrible shape. It is cracked, uneven and in some cases nonexistent. That's why the city of Houston's Safe Sidewalks program is tackling repairs on more than a dozen stretches of sidewalk early next year.

At another stop on Hiram Clarke near Highway 90, there's nowhere to walk, or wait for the bus. A sidewalk will keep people from taking big risks.

"For bus transportation, that's better than people walking in the street, they could get hit by cars," said resident Michael Arceneaux.

Some of the improvements will be on streets near schools, such as the neighborhood block of Norris around the corner from Longfellow Elementary.

While sidewalks are largely maintained by property owners, the city of Houston does help in some instances on major thoroughfares and near schools. You can check to see if your neighborhood might qualify for assistance through the city's website.