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Upper Kirby Update
February 3, 2012
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Richmond Storm Drainage Improvement Project
Work to Begin Late February |
 | | January 9th Flooding on Richmond Avenue |
Richmond Avenue Construction
The Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority has received bids for the Richmond Avenue Storm Drainage Improvement Project and anticipate issuing Notice to Proceed to the contractor as early as February 13. Actual construction activity is likely to begin toward the end of the month.
This project is one of two remaining large lateral drainage lines that empties into the newly improved Kirby Drive storm system. Work on this project will entail the installation of a 72" storm line along the north side of Richmond Avenue from Kirby to Buffalo Speedway. New lateral lines will also be constructed on Eastside and Audley along with new inlets and inlet leads.
Work will begin at Kirby and move west in two phases: Kirby to Wakeforest and Wakeforest to Buffalo Speedway. Traffic will be moved to the south side of the roadway. Look for updates as phasing and schedule is finalized over the next week.
As schedules for Metro's proposed University Line light rail installation along this section of roadway are still uncertain and light rail construction would necessitate the reconstruction of the roadway, the pavement will not be reconstructed as part of this project. Contractors will excavate what is necessary to improve the drainage system on the north side of the street and will restore that area once complete. The esplanades and back of curb areas will not be impacted within the scope of this project.
Project duration is estimated to take 270 calendar days. Look for weekly updates as traffic impacts and project phasing develops.
Buffalo Speedway Construction  |
Crews Prep for Intersection Paving at Bissonnet
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Buffalo Speedway construction is on pace for substantial completion in March.
Since the project began in February 2011, contractors have completed overhead utility burial, new water and storm sewer installation and have paved all main lanes on the eastern half of the roadway. The eastern half of the Bissonnet intersection is also complete and paving of the Westpark intersection should finish up today. Sidewalk work continued this week and crews began work rehabbing the existing 54" storm sewer at the northern end of the project.
Over the next week, crews will complete curb and gutter installation on the east side of the roadway and will continue sidewalk work through Friday, February 10. The contractor is currently scheduled to flip traffic onto the new pavement on the east side of the roadway at that time. Motorists should expect a mirror image of the current configuration with construction activity on the west side of the street and one lane in either direction with a continuous left-turn lane in the middle on the east side.
Once on the west side of the street, work will continue rehabbing the existing 54" storm sewer and repaving the roadway. Sidewalk and streetscape installation will follow shortly behind.
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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