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Upper Kirby Update

February 17, 2012  

Richmond Storm Drainage Improvement Project    
Traffic Control to be Implemented Next Week 
Richmond Drainage Construction Area  
Richmond Avenue Construction

The start date for mobilization activity on the Richmond Avenue Drainage Improvements Project has been pushed back one week. Originally scheduled to begin on February 13, work will now begin initial mobilization efforts next Monday with traffic likely being shifted to the south side of the street Thursday or Friday, February 23rd or 24th.

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 where one lane will be maintained in both directions.

In the initial phase of work, drivers should expect to transition down to one lane between the Kirby and Wakeforest intersection. It is anticipated that this phase should take approximately three months to complete; at which point, traffic will be returned to its original configuration and construction activity will proceed west of Wakeforest.

During this first phase of work there will be no outlet onto Lake Street heading north from Richmond. Motorists with Lake Street destinations north of Richmond should consider accessing Lake from either Alabama to the north or from Colquitt via Kirby Drive.

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.

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
 
Crews continue to push forward aggressively on Buffalo Speedway despite several setbacks this week.

City sanitary issues traced back to this construction zone from the south did cause some minor setbacks as crews allowed the City to inspect and clean out lines along the curbside lane on the west side of Buffalo Speedway. The project also suffered several rain days over the past week and expects more rain over the weekend.

The original plan was to pave from the curb inward toward the middle of the roadway, however, in an effort to allow the important sanitary line maintenance activity to be completed without incurring much additional delay, the contractor re-sequenced their plan to begin demolition and paving of the center lanes concurrent with the sanitary activities. The contractor's efforts will likely keep the project on pace to complete the pavement and restore traffic lanes by the end of March though they will likely still have sidewalk and electrical work to complete behind the curb.

Traffic has been successfully moved from the west side of the street to the newly paved east side lanes and the center lanes have been removed.

Over the coming week, work will continue to progress on framing and paving the center section of the westernmost lanes. Crews are working fast to pave the section between Westpark and US 59 in an effort to open up northbound lanes early and provide some relief at the 59 intersection.

The critical path moving forward is pavement and lane restoration so much of the activity over the coming month will be coordinated to that end.

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.