Phase 2 of future Shepherd-Durham rebuild approved for $40 million from H-GAC

The Memorial Heights Tax-Increment Reinvestment Zone will receive $40 million for a second phase of improvements to Shepherd and Durham drives, from 15th Street to I-10.

The Houston-Galveston Area Council's Transportation Policy Council voted June 26 to add the project to its four-year Transportation Improvement Program, a regional schedule of projects supported by federal funds.

In 2019, the TIRZ received a $25 million federal grant to fund half of the reconstruction of Phase 1, spanning from the Loop 610 to 15th. The TIRZ is covering the other half of that project cost.

Construction is slated for 2022 and 2023 for phases 1 and 2, respectively, with each phase scheduled to take three to four years. Advanced design work for Phase 1 is underway.

In addition to improved street design, reduced lanes, updated drainage, and pedestrian, bike and safety features, the rebuild of Shepherd and Durham is expected to coordinate with the forthcoming Inner Katy bus rapid transit corridor slated for I-10.

The city of Houston also has a project slated for 2020-21 for a section between Washington Avenue and Dickson Street, as part of Phase 3, which will eventually bring updates to Shepherd and Durham from I-10 to Buffalo Bayou.

Timeline: 2019-2026

Cost: $110 million (Phases 1 and 2); $13.17 million (Washington to Dickson)

Funding sources: Memorial Heights TIRZ, H-GAC, U.S. Department of Transportation, Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund