Eight bridges that cross Buffalo Bayou in Houston could be studied for possible rehabilitation and replacement.

What’s happening?

Houston City Council applied for a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study on eight bridges that cross Buffalo Bayou.

According to the May 29 agenda item, the study would focus on the feasibility of repairing and raising the bridges, and determining the preferred alternatives for bridge design and construction.

The project’s planning activities would include:

  • Feasibility analysis
  • Hyrdology analysis
  • Project development
  • Stakeholder and community engagement

Based on the findings of the feasibility study, the USDOT will provide funds for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation and/or protection.



The goal of the study is to reduce the number of bridges in poor condition, and it also targets bridges in fair condition that could decline into poor condition.

About the project

A representative from council member Mary Nan Huffman’s office representing District G—where many of the bridges are located—said the eight bridges can be found at four intersections, including northbound and southbound bridges at each intersection:

  • Kirkwood Bridge
  • Wilcrest Bridge
  • Dairy Ashford Bridge
  • Sabine Bridge

The study area spans 15 miles.

“During Hurricane Harvey, we know that some of those streets, like Kirkwood and Wilcrest, it was weeks before the people from south of the Bayou could get north of the Bayou trying to find a way around,” Huffman said during the May 29 council meeting. “This [study] will look at the feasibility of repairing and raising some of these bridges where it wouldn’t be an issue in another storm.”



Project funding

The grant for this project, according to the USDOT, is $2 million, or 80% of the total project cost. The city of Houston would be responsible for 20% of the total project cost, or $500,000.

Stay tuned

The action taken by City Council on May 29 included submitting the grant application to the USDOT for the rehabilitation study. The grant has not yet been awarded.


The study would take approximately 15 months to complete with a potential start date this summer, according to Engage Houston.