Dallas hospitals question ‘road diet’ near medical district

Three Dallas hospitals have joined the list of locals who have raised questions about a proposal by city officials to reduce traffic flow near the Southwestern Medical District.

The ‘road diet’ proposed by staff would reduce the number of lanes on the 2.4 mile stretch of Maple Avenue between Mockingbird Lane and Oak Lawn Avenue from four to three with a turn lane and add bike lanes to the busy street. But a spokesperson for the district, home to the Children’s Medical Center, Parkland Hospital and UT Southwestern Medical Center, say the plan would have a “significant impact” on the area.

“Maple Avenue is already an important thoroughfare that directly impacts the medical facilities. It will become of even greater importance as a transportation link when the new pediatric hospital opens and upon implementation of the SWMD’s master plan which relies on Maple Avenue to alleviate the strain of traffic on Harry Hines Boulevard,” Southwestern Medical District Chairman David Biegler wrote in a Nov. 7 letter to city officials. “…For the SWMD institutions the three-lane road with bike lanes option is NOT ACCEPTABLE.”

About 18,000 vehicles travel that stretch of road daily.

The proposal is aimed at curbing crashes along the corridor, which is a hot spot for pedestrian deaths and serious injuries. It includes other changes like sidewalk repairs and the addition of pedestrian islands.

In a community meeting earlier this month, more than 100 residents, area business owners and cyclists were split on the plan, which some said would worsen traffic congestion and make access to local retailers difficult. Other attendees said Maple Avenue is dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, and improving walkability would benefit businesses and residents.

During the past 12 months, two traffic-related fatalities have occurred along Maple Avenue between Oak Lawn Avenue and Inwood Road, a Dallas spokesperson said in an email Friday. Along the same street segment, authorities have logged 16 fatal or severe-injury crashes since 2020.

Medical District representatives support some aspects of the plan, including crosswalk, sidewalk and ramp improvements and better lighting, according to Biegler.

“We are particularly happy that addressing the problem intersections of Butler/Denton Cut-off/Hudnall and Bomar/Maple/Manor Way will be studied,” the letter reads. “On the downside, we believe that the assumed low traffic annual growth rates of 1% declining to 0.5% significantly underestimate the effects of known expansions in the Medical District and the already approved project to calm the traffic flow on Harry Hines. […] The details matter and the blanket alteration of the thoroughfare plan to reduce the entire traverse from Oak Lawn to Mockingbird to two lanes is the problem.”

Transportation and Public Works staff said they began outreach to the district in 2023 to solicit feedback.

“Public input is a critical part of all TPW projects, and feedback from all impacted individuals and institutions is welcomed,” a spokesperson said in an email. “Many of the questions posed by the SWMD, along with Maple Avenue residents and business owners, were addressed in a frequently asked questions document that was posted on the city’s website the week of Nov. 11.”

Any changes to Maple’s road design are still in the early design phase and have not been finalized, City Council member Jesse Moreno said earlier this month.

Medical District representatives hope to be part of future conversations about other improvements for the area, Biegler wrote. Residents can review the proposed changes and submit comments online through Nov. 20.