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Upper Kirby Weekly Construction Update 
Upper Kirby Construction
Buffalo Speedway Construction Underway
constructionUpper Kirby roadway reconstruction continues this week along Kirby Drive between Richmond and US 59, on Wakeforest between Richmond and US 59 and on Buffalo Speedway between US 59 and Bissonnet.

Buffalo Speedway Construction Traffic along this stretch of roadway Remains unchanged this week. One lane in either directi
on is being maintained along the west side of the roadway with a continuous left turn maintained in the center.

Southbound traffic should expect to be transitioned from two lanes to one lane just south of US 59 and northbound traffic should expect a similar shift to the west just north of Bissonnet.

Traffic approaching the Southwest Freeway from the north on Buffalo Speedway have experienced delays since construction began. Project traffic consultants have isolated a signal timing issue and City of Houston crews will be installing new GPS timers on the signals within the next few days. This should provide a noticeable improvement in congestion during construction. Motorists are still 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 on the Southwest Freeway frontage roads and Westpark.

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.

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.

The Week Ahead 
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.

This section of Kirby Drive is scheduled to be substantially complete in November 2011.

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
Work continues this week on Wakeforest with water line improvements toward the US 59 side of Wakeforest and paving work between the US 59 frontage road and Lexington. Paving and inlet installation activity here will impact the outside (curb-side) lane of the frontage road as it crosses Wakeforest. Motorists should expect the brief lane closure to occur sometime over the weekend and impact the frontage road over the next week.

It is expected that the entire Wakeforest reconstruction will be completed next month, however, two-way traffic returning to Wakeforest is probably a week to a week-and-a-half 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 [email protected].
If you have a new business, development or community event that you would like included in the monthly Upper Kirby news, please contact us at 713.524.8000 or submit to [email protected]
 
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Upper Kirby is a constantly evolving urban area marked by an outstanding location, great shopping, unique residential neighborhoods, smart development and a small town feel. It is an area of successful businesses, involved communities and a synergy between the public and private sectors. It is the heartbeat of Houston and everywhere you want to be.