Correction: an earlier version of this story said construction was approved. The council approved the design of the construction.

The West University Place City Council approved the construction design of an improved paving and drainage system on several local streets at its Dec. 13 meeting, following a preliminary engineering report this November.

HDR Engineering, the company contracted to work on the improvements, estimated the project to cost $1.2 million. West University has budgeted more than $5 million to be used as needed.

The east side project, a series of two packages, is part of a wider venture by the city to reduce flooding, with plans for similar construction on the west side.

The first package will run along University Boulevard between Buffalo Speedway and Kirby Drive. Construction is planned to begin around the end of October 2022. Prior to that, the contractor will conduct design, permitting and other preconstruction activities.

A second package along Wakeforest Avenue, which also includes work on portions of Rice Boulevard and Duke Street, is estimated to begin in February 2023.