The city of Conroe is underway with work to bring utilities underground as part of its alley beautification project, Engineering Assistant Cesar Cantu said. This alley project is part of the city’s larger group of downtown revitalization projects that began in 1998, Cantu said.

What’s happening?

Construction began in July on three alley sections in downtown Conroe, Cantu said. Some of the construction will include improvements to the city’s water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer lines.

Cantu said the construction phases are based on the utility being worked on, starting with the utilities that are the deepest in the ground.

A closer look

The alley project was introduced to the capital improvement program’s budget in 2019 for $6.47 million, Cantu said.

Cantu said once the city’s portion of the project is done, which will include installing a conduit for the power and telecommunication lines, private companies such as Comcast and Entergy will work to relocate the lines.

After all the lines are buried, the private companies will remove the poles, Cantu said. After that, the city will return to complete any work needed after the pole is removed, such as paving.

Notable quote

“I’m really excited about this project,” Cantu said. “I hope that it will bring more people visiting downtown Conroe. They can see how beautiful the city is.”

What else?

Cantu also said the city is coordinating with businesses to create temporary trash locations, and local theaters will continue to have access to the alleyways.

The city will provide updates on this project on a monthly basis, Public Information Officer Andrew Yousse said.

Stay tuned

Conroe’s portion of this alley project is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024, Cantu said.