Work on the Westheimer storm drainage, paving and streetscape improvements package continued this week between Bellemeade and
Eastside and through the north side of the Buffalo Speedway intersection.
Crews are now working on the northeast quadrant of the Buffalo Speedway/Westheimer intersection, making necessary storm connections prior to placing pavement later next week
. Once the pavement is complete on the northern half of the intersection, it will need five to seven days to cure before reopening to traffic. Traffic control will then shift east to approximately mid-block between River Oaks Boulevard and Buffalo Speedway so that storm and paving work can progress east.
Work on the eastern side of the project has been progressing quickly as well. Crews continued with pavement placement this week from the CVS shopping center to mid-block between B
ellemeade and Eastside. It is anticipated that work here will be completed in approximately two weeks. Once the pavement is ready for traffic both in this location and in the northern half of the Buffalo Speedway intersection, traffic control will shift from just west of River Oaks Boulevard to Eastside Street and both crews will continue storm drainage and paving work towards one another.
Lateral storm lines are also being installed on Sackett and Bammel between Alabama and Westheimer. The scope on both streets involves excavation of one half of the roadway, placement of new storm sewer infrastructure and restoration of the impacted area. During construction on both streets, two-way traffic will be maintained although on street parking will not be available.
Work on Bammel is now complete and crews have shifted traffic control to Sackett. The first section of work will take place between Sackett and Philfall. The AT&T conflict at the Alabama/Sackett intersection identified last week has been addressed and crews are moving forward with storm work on the west side of the street between Alabama and Philfall. Workers will pave and restore this section prior to progressing north to Westheimer.
Westheimer Reconstruction:
Kirby to Shepherd
Upper Kirby work on Westheimer between Kirby and Shepherd has been substantially complete since February, 2016 and has been awaiting removal of overhead utility removal by various telecommunications companies and CenterPoint energy pole removal prior to finalizing the back of curb area.
The only remaining utility on these poles is Comcast and, as of early this week, they have indicated that their work here will be complete next week. This will allow for CenterPoint energy to remove the poles on Monday, April 24th.
Comcast is also the remaining utility on the poles remaining between Kirby and Buffalo Speedway. Here they have indicated that work would be completed May 18. Look for further updates as this work progresses.
Bissonnet Reconstruction:
Kirby to Buffalo Speedway
Work on Bissonnet between Kirby and Buffalo Speedway was stopped late last year due to a contractor dispute. Work began between the Kirby intersection and Dincans on the north side of the street. Upper Kirby retained a second contractor to complete work on the impacted areas and reopen the roadway to traffic. This was completed just prior to the holidays. The remainder of the work has been repackaged for a new bid. The goal is to rebid the project in the next six to eight weeks and begin construction this summer.
For more information on Upper Kirby construction and related activities or for construction related issues or concerns, please contact Travis Younkin at 713.524.8000 or
[email protected].