Construction crews reached 85% completion in January on a project that involves making paving and drainage improvements to segments of Shepherd and Durham drives south of Washington Avenue.

The city of Houston approved a land purchase in April 2020 to help move the project forward. At that time, construction estimates suggested the project would take over a year to complete. The project is now slated for completion in the spring, while construction costs have risen from the original estimate of $10.62 million to a new estimate of $12 million.

The project tackles the segments of Shepherd and Durham between Washington Avenue and Dickson Street. Once completed, the streets will feature new concrete paving with storm drainage, bike lanes, curbs, sidewalks, driveways, street lighting and underground utility lines.

As part of the project, improvements are also being made to Dickson, Feagan, Lillian, Rose, Floyd, Blossom and Gibson streets between Shepherd and Durham.

A separate Shepherd Drive project is ongoing on the portion of the street between Loop 610 and the Katy Freeway.