The details
Work includes the construction of concrete paving with storm drainage infrastructure, bike lanes on West Alabama, curbs, sidewalks, driveways, street lighting and underground utilities. Base roadway materials will be replaced depending on the street condition.
The action taken
City officials gave updates on the project at a June 7 virtual meeting. Construction on the four side streets was not part of the initial plan but was added to the workload after residents in the area lobbied for inclusion, Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin said at the meeting. Kamin worked with the Houston Public Works Department to bring the side streets into the project scope using funds from her office's budget.
What happens next
Construction will began around mid-June on Timmons Lane, considered the first phase of the side street elements, and last roughly 10-12 days, Houston Public Works officials said. Work on Saints Street will follow as Phase 2, and Joanel and Kipling streets are considered Phase 3. Specific timelines for each phase were not given beyond taking place over the course of the summer.
Quote of note
"We didn’t just want to stop with Saints Street, although that was the original intent," Kamin said at the meeting. "We said, 'let’s get all that we can done while additional construction is happening along West Alabama.'"
Also of note
In March, crews with Houston Public Works carried out a project that involved converting the lane configuration along West Alabama Street from Shepherd Drive to Spur 527. The lanes were converted from one lane in each direction and a reversible center lane to one lane in each direction with a continuous left turn lane.
