| Upper Kirby Weekly Construction Update |
Upper Kirby Construction
Buffalo Speedway Construction Underway
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 Upper Kirby roadway reconstruction continues this week along Kirby Drive between Richmond and US 59, on Wakeforest between Richmond and US 59 and is now also underway on Buffalo Speedway between US 59 and Bissonnet.
Buffalo Speedway Construction Traffic along this stretch of roadway was shifted early Monday to accommodate the first phase of construction. Lanes have been reduced from two through lanes in either direction down to one lane in either direction with a continuous left-turn lane in the center, all aligned along the west side of the roadway.
Southbound traffic should expect to be transitioned down to one lane just south of US 59 and northbound traffic should expect a similar shift to the west just north of Bissonnet. Motorists are asked to please refrain from pulling forward through the 59 frontage road and Westpark intersections if there is not adequate room to fully clear the intersection. Adhering to this will greatly improve the east and westbound traffic conditions experienced this week.
As traffic on Buffalo Speedway moves along the west side of the roadway, crews will begin excavation efforts along the east so that underground utility facilities can be constructed. These facilities will eventually house all electric and telecommunications lines currently running on overhead poles.
The Week Ahead Work next week will consist primarily of existing street light removal efforts so that the roadway excavation can begin. Once underway, crews will begin demolition at Bissonnet and work their way north to the 59 frontage road.
Timing
This first phase of work should take approximately 90 days to complete, weather permitting. Following the construction of the underground utility duct banks, construction crews will demobilize to allow the utility providers to begin transferring services underground. Traffic control will remain in its current configuration throughout these phases of work. Provided that favorable construction conditions continue and utility work runs smoothly, the work on the east side of the roadway should take approximately 5-6 months to complete.
The goal for completion of the entire reconstruction of Buffalo Speedway is November 2011. During this period, overhead utilities will be moved underground, the four-lane roadway will be repaved as a six-lane roadway to address the serious congestion issues along this stretch, the storm sewer system will be upgraded and a complete streetscape will be implemented to include pedestrian lighting, enhanced sidewalks and crosswalks, pedestrian amenities and improved landscaping and irrigation.
Kirby Drive Construction Transfer of overhead services to the recently constructed underground duct banks has begun by both electricity and telecommunications providers and will continue throughout the month of February. Once the overhead utility poles are removed, roadway repaving can commence.
What to Expect:
Existing construction barriers will remain on the west side of the roadway over the next several months while utility work continues. Motorists should expect four lanes to remain unobstructed as utility crews proceed with the transfer of overhead services underground. Southbound motorists should expect the curbside lane approaching Richmond to remain right-turn-only throughout this phase.
Wakeforest Construction The Wakeforest reconstruction project includes water line and storm sewer improvements as well as complete roadway repaving and new sidewalk installation. The new roadway will consist of two, 11-foot lanes and space for on-street parking.
The Week Ahead
Since last week, storm sewer work crossing Richmond at Wakeforest has been completed allowing traffic moving east/west along Richmond to return to its normal configuration. The roadway has been paved completely from Richmond to Lexington. Next week, crews will be focusing on demolition between US 59 and Lexington where some water line work still needs to be completed.
It is still expected that the entire Wakeforest reconstruction will be completed next month, however, two-way traffic returning to Wakeforest is probably several weeks away.
For more information on Upper Kirby construction projects and for issues and concerns as construction progresses, contact Travis Younkin at 713-524-8000 or email travis@upperkirby.org.
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