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. At the current rate of progress, it is anticipated that work in these two zones will continue for through next week and will likely be ready to shift to one zone between Eastside and just west of River Oaks Boulevard the following week.
Crews are now framing for pavement in a section that includes the northeast quadrant of the Buffalo Speedway/Westheimer intersection and a few hundred feet east towards River Oaks Boulevard. Pavement is scheduled for placement Tuesday, allowing for traffic control to shift east the following week.
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 likely also be completed next week to a point where traffic control can shift west. Crews will have to come back later in the project to complete final driveway work in some areas.
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 on Sackett is underway between Alabama and Philfall. Storm work is nearly complete in this section and crews anticipate placing pavement next week. Pavement placement will take approximately a week and cure time is approximately a week. Once the pavement is cured, work will progress 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 this week. This will allow for CenterPoint energy to remove the poles next week.
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
travis@upperkirby.org.