Westheimer Reconstruction: Kirby to Shepherd

Over the past several months work on the drainage, pavement and streetscape improvements project on Westheimer between Kirby and Shepherd has focused on the installation of a large four-by-six-foot storm sewer box on Dickey Place between Westheimer and Reba.  

 

It is anticipated that the final piece of pavement on Dickey will be poured next week between Westheimer and San Saba. The plan at this point is, rather than reconstructing the segment in halves, to expedite the work and pour the entire roadway at one time. This will mean that Dickey between Westheimer and San Saba will be inaccessible for approximately one week. Were the section poured in halves, it would take twice as long to fully restore the street and driveways to full access.  

 

With this final piece underway, work will shift to Westheimer despite several obstacles that have prevented the contractor from beginning per the original schedule.  

 

The original plan was to take possession of the intersection of Shepherd and Westheimer on January 5th and begin work on Westheimer from Shepherd west to Persa, however, the City of Houston project on Shepherd between Westheimer and Buffalo Bayou is still working in the intersection and east of the intersection, preventing Upper Kirby work from beginning as planned.  

 

In an effort to not halt work altogether, Upper Kirby and Reytec are planning to begin installing storm sewer moving west from the outfall point at Dickey as early as Monday. This will allow the City contractor time to complete his work at Shepherd while still making meaningful progress toward the completion of Westheimer.  

 

In order to regain time lost due to this re-sequencing, Upper Kirby is pursuing approval to bring in additional crews to work concurrently moving east from Dickey toward Persa. If approved, this extended work zone could shave significant time off of the potential impacts of the City work being in the Shepherd/Westheimer intersection much longer than anticipated. Once the City contractor has vacated the intersection, Reytec has committed the resources necessary to move into the intersection quickly to complete final reconstruction.

 

During this first phase of work on Westheimer, motorists should expect to be transitioned down to one lane in either direction on the south side of the street. Once work on the northernmost lanes is complete, traffic will flip for work to begin on the south side of Westheimer. Expect this situation between Kirby and Dickey next week, however, if approved, this configuration could extend from Kirby roughly to Persa. Look for further updates as plans are finalized.

Bissonnet Utility Relocation

Bissonnet Utility Relocation from Kirby to Buffalo Speedway is nearing completion. Crews are working to restore the pavement along Bissonnet between Wakeforest and Buffalo Speedway, but have completed all duct installation along that route.

Work east of Kirby has been completed and restored with temporary pavement. Work on Wakeforest and Dincans was also completed this week and traffic control is scheduled to be removed on Bissonnet later today or tomorrow.

Crews still have several runs of duct behind the curb and will be out over the next few weeks to restore the back of curb areas with sod, but for the most part, construction is now in its final days.

Once all ducts have been completed, Upper Kirby will turn over the new facilities to Center Point and the telecommunications providers on the street for final relocation and pole removal. Once Center Point Energy and the telecommunications providers have switched service from overhead to underground and removed the wires and wooden poles, Upper Kirby will begin water, sanitary and storm improvements and roadway reconstruction.

Like Kirby, Buffalo Speedway and Westheimer, this project will include a complete pedestrian-oriented streetscape and landscaping plan implemented and maintained in perpetuity by the Upper Kirby Management District. The roadway is not being widened and the existing esplanade is being maintained.

Look for further updates as the schedule progresses.