 | | Duct Bank Installation on Westheimer |
Westheimer
Paving, Drainage and Streetscape Improvements Project:
Utility work on Westheimer continued this week through the Shepherd intersection. Underground duct bank installation on the Westheimer frontage of St. Anne's is nearly complete and it appears as though the contractor will be ready for asphalt placement next week.
Once asphalt is down and temporary sidewalks are installed on Westheimer, traffic control will be shifted east to just what is needed to transition motorists around the work still extending north on Shepherd from the intersection.
Next week work will continue on Shepherd through Wednesday. No work will occur on Thursday and any impacted areas will be plated for traffic. In an effort to make up some lost time on this project crews have been working nights and are starting Sunday work as well. Rain is expected today and tomorrow so crews will likely be back on site next Friday to continue to accelerate construction as much as possible.
The contractor has also been approved to begin the final phase of work on the south side of Westheimer between Kirby and Argonne in concert with the work going on at Shepherd. It is likely though, that this work will not take place until after Thanksgiving. Upon completion of the utility duct bank construction, 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. | 
