Westheimer Reconstruction: Kirby to Shepherd

Work on Westheimer has shifted from lateral work on Peckham and Dickey to Westheimer itself. Crews are mobilized at Dickey to make storm sewer connections east and west of the intersection with the goal of restoring concrete at Dickey as fast as possible so full access can be restored.
 

Dickey between San Saba and Westheimer has been poured and is now set. It is expected that both sides of the roadway will be able to handle traffic later today. Crews have also completed junction box work and storm sewer connections in the Westheimer intersection at Dickey and will restore with temporary material to allow access over the weekend in preparation of concrete placement next week.

 

Storm sewer installation has also moved forward on the north side of Westheimer between Kirby and Dickey. Installation is  complete from Dickey to Argonne and will continue toward Kirby next week. Crews also hope to begin framing for concrete over the newly placed storm sewer between Argonne and Dickey next week.  

 

Once complete, efforts will shift to storm installation from Dickey heading east toward Shepherd in the hopes that City contractors on the Shepherd project have completed their work at the Shepherd/Westheimer intersection by the time Upper Kirby contractors get there.  

 

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.    

 

Once the City contractor has vacated the intersection, Reytec has committed the resources necessary to move into the intersection quickly to complete final reconstruction. The original schedule for completion was June of this year, these delays will impact that date though it is uncertain at this point what the extent of that impact will be.    

 

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.  

Bissonnet Utility Relocation

Bissonnet Utility Relocation from Kirby to Buffalo Speedway is now complete along the main lanes. Over the next several weeks, crews will work to restore back-of-curb areas and will begin some final, short duct runs along private property. Lane impacts over this time will be minimal and intermittent. No significant impacts to traffic or driveways is expected during this time.

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.