Fort Worth is asking residents to weigh in on the future of Hemphill Street, a major corridor that underwent significant changes in 2020. The city originally reduced the road from five lanes to three while adding bike lanes, bus pull-outs, and street parking, aiming to create a vibrant extension of the Near Southside district.
However, a subsequent traffic study revealed that while car crashes decreased, bike accidents increased and congestion worsened. Following this data, city officials met with residents in April to discuss solutions. They presented three options: maintaining the current layout, restoring two lanes in specific sections, or returning to the original five-lane configuration along the entire stretch. The latter two choices would eliminate the recently added pedestrian and transit infrastructure.
A public survey is now open for residents to select their preferred lane configuration. The feedback period closes on July 31, with a community meeting scheduled for August. If the city proceeds with restriping based on the results, work is expected to begin in early 2027. Further details on the final decision remain not yet clear.
