What's happening
Work crews will spend the next several weeks replacing concrete panels and patching areas of the slope-paved ditch, according to an Oct. 7 announcement from the city of West University Place. Work will begin at the intersection of Plumb and Edloe streets before progressing north to Sunset Boulevard.
The context
The first maintenance effort related to the Poor Farm Ditch project began in August at the University Boulevard intersection before crews worked north to Plumb Street.
The $32.5 million project received funding from a number of sources, including $16.9 million from the state and another $9.9. million from the federal government.
Poor Farm Ditch serves as the stormwater conveyance system for 1,300 acres in total and carries water from drainage systems in West U south to Brays Bayou. The project involves building a channel structure, rehabilitating the existing channel and reinforcing access ramps. The improvements are expected to increase protection for 500 homes and more than 1,000 residents, Community Impact previously reported.
What readers should know
A rolling work zone will be in place along Edloe while work is ongoing, but will only be in effect during work hours. Traffic is expected to be reduced to one lane along small portions of Edloe to allow room for construction vehicles and equipment, but Edloe will be fully open after workers finish each day, West U officials said.
The recently finished Edloe Pathway—which runs from Georgetown Street to Albans Road—will remain open and safe to use during construction.
During construction, crews will place steel plates on the parts of the Edloe Pathway walking track where equipment will be driven to protect the path. Any vegetation along the pathway impacted by the work will be replaced by the HCFCD.
