If you have driven down Kirkwood in the past week you will see the project is really ramping up!
For over twenty years residents waited for this project - I fought for this project since my first day in office - and to see it get fully underway is a sight for sore eyes.
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| Council Member Greg Travis inspecting the 12X10 storm boxes. |
These 12X10 boxes will not only help to move storm water, but will also serve as temporary retention until such time that the water is able to drain away. The installation of these storm boxes is one of the most important facets of the project and I was very impressed to see them up close before they are installed under the roadway. These boxes will be fitted with backfill preventer valves which only allow water to flow one way - from the surface. Water from Buffalo Bayou will not be able to flow into these boxes.
I am never happy about losing the tress that define this part of Houston. In total, 84 trees are scheduled to be removed. The majority of these trees are crepe myrtles that can be easily replaced. My staff and I worked with the Contractor and the City of Houston Forestry to save a number of trees. At least 80 new trees will be planted during the landscaping phase. We are committed to saving as many of the existing trees as possible. Each and every tree marked for removal will be evaluated and approved by me personally.
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| Council Member Travis jumps into the equipment on site to help demo the street. |
As a reminder, this first project will reconstruct Kirkwood from Buffalo Bayou to Briar Forest. Construction began in June 2020 and will last approximately 18 months.
The second sub-project will extend from Briar Forest to Westheimer with construction anticipated to begin in Fiscal Year 2022.
The third and final sub-project will reconstruction Kirkwood north from Memorial to I-10 with construction anticipated to begin in Fiscal Year 2025.
Finally, as a notice and a courtesy to all my constituents, please note that I am utilizing my Council District Service Fund for additional police to monitor and patrol the area. There has been noticeable speeding around this construction zone. This is for the safety of the residents, as well as the construction workers. The additional police patrol has the added benefit of speeding up construction because the crew can work faster when their lives are not in jeopardy.
Sincerely,
Greg Travis
