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Upper Kirby Update
August 30, 2013
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Upper Kirby ConstructionShort Delay Will Postpone Traffic Shift to Next Week
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 | | Duct Bank Installation on Westheimer |
Westheimer
Paving, Drainage and Streetscape Improvements Project:
While asphalt restoration did begin last week on Westheimer between Dickey Place and Argonne Street, crews were not able to complete the restoration due to several early week delays.
As the underground ducts are completed, they must be inspected by CenterPoint Energy prior to the trenches being back-filled and restored. CenterPoint was not able to do a scheduled inspection last Friday and back-fill work was inhibited the following Monday due to rain causing a 4-day setback to the weekly schedule. The contractor and Upper Kirby have also been struggling with an underground gas line that is four feet away from it's recorded location. The construction team is currently working on a solution that would avoid a lengthy relocation process.
Crews are now back on track, however, and should be completing final back-fill work between the French Gourmet Bakery and Argonne tomorrow. While contractors will be working this Saturday, they will not be working over Labor Day. If all goes as planned, crews anticipate completion of asphalt work next Tuesday and a traffic shift to the east on Thursday.
Utility work between Kirby and Shepherd will last approximately four months. Over that time, installation will take place in 1000-foot sections moving east from Argonne toward Shepherd. Crews will then jump back to Kirby and construct ducts between Kirby and Argonne on the south side of Westheimer. Motorists will be restricted to one lane in either direction to get around the construction zones.
Once the underground duct banks are constructed, the roadway will be temporarily paved and striped allowing full vehicular access while CenterPoint and the telecommunications companies reconnect services underground. The duration of this reconnection work will be up to the utility providers though 45 to 90 days is typical. While the various utility companies work to reconnect the eastern half of Westheimer, the Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority (UKRA) will aim to begin duct bank construction between Kirby and Buffalo Speedway. The UKRA expects to bid this western section of Westheimer later this summer. Once the utilities have been removed and the lines brought underground east of Kirby, Upper Kirby will move forward with drainage and underground infrastructure improvements followed by complete repaving of the roadway. The project will also entail the installation of a pedestrian-oriented streetscape similar to the treatment provided on the recent Kirby Drive and Buffalo Speedway projects. Roadway reconstruction is anticipated to begin early in 2014 and last approximately 10 months. For more information on Upper Kirby construction and related activities or for construction related issues or concerns, please contact Travis Younkin at 713.524.8000 or travis@upperkirby.org. |
TxDOT Frontage Road Work
Now Between Kirby and Buffalo
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US 59 Frontage Road Reconstruction TxDOT now has traffic control in place on both sides of the US 59 service road between Kirby and Buffalo Wednesday. This section of frontage road is the next in a pavement replacement project that will run from 610 at US 59 all the way to Shepherd.
Demolition is now underway along the curbside lane of the outbound service road and will progress to the inbound side of the freeway shortly.
During off peak hours, motorists should expect only one lane of traffic to be available around the construction zones. Morning and afternoon commutes should see multiple lanes available to traffic. Motorists with destinations on the south side of US 59 should consider Westpark as an alternative route as most properties along this frontage road are also accessible from Westpark driveways.
Look for further updates as this project progresses.
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Ride Metro Free on Labor Day Weekend
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METRO will be offering a free fare weekend for all of our bus and rail service over Labor Day weekend (Saturday, August 31st through Monday, September 2nd) - so take advantage of those Labor Day sales and fun activities taking place all over Houston while riding METRO for free
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