|
Upper Kirby Update
December 6, 2013
|
|
Upper Kirby Construction
Continued Rain Slows Acceleration Efforts
|
 | | Duct Bank Installation on Westheimer |
Westheimer
Paving, Drainage and Streetscape Improvements Project:
Utility work on Westheimer has been progressing at the corner of Shepherd and Westheimer over the past week. However, efforts to accelerate construction using nights and Sundays has been significantly hampered by rain. With rain events over the last two weeks and rain in the forecast over the next two weekends, it has been difficult to gain ground back from delays experienced early in the project.
Underground duct work is substantially complete on the north side of Westheimer to Shepherd and asphalt restoration is expected to be complete by Monday. Work next week will focus on work on the north and south sides of Westheimer on Shepherd and on the south lanes of Westheimer approaching Shepherd. Weather permitting, crews will shift traffic control from the north side of Westheimer to the south side of Westheimer roughly between Greenbriar and Shepherd on Tuesday. Motorists will be transitioned onto the northernmost lanes at that point.
Over the weekend, crews intend to work as long as weather allows on Saturday and Sunday. The contractor is trying to enlist additional crews in an effort to accelerate the work. The goal will be to progress to a point over the next two weeks that work can be clear of the main lanes on both Westheimer and Shepherd.
Westheimer West of Kirby
The effort to continue moving west with utility infrastructure will begin early in 2014. Upper Kirby will be bidding the utility relocation project between Kirby and Shepherd in January with the goal of beginning construction in February. Sequencing and schedule will be confirmed with the winning contractor so look for updates over the next month.
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. |
